| Abstract Detail
Education & Outreach Molina, Isabel [1], Weber, Katrin [2], Ohlrogge, John [2]. Transformation of a dwarf Arabidopsis mutant illustrates gibberellin hormone physiology and the function of a Green Revolution gene. The introduction of dwarfing traits into crops was a major factor in increased grain yields during the “Green Revolution”. In most cases those traits were the consequence of altered synthesis or response to the gibberellin plant hormones (GA). Our current understanding of GA synthesis and physiology has been facilitated by the characterization of mutants. To introduce concepts about hormone physiology and plant transformation in an undergraduate laboratory course we have used ga5, a semi-dwarf Arabidopsis mutant with reduced activity of GA20 oxidase. Arabidopsis mutant plants are transformed by floral-dip method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens with plasmid constructs conferring kanamycin resistance and containing the GA5 gene. Transgenic plants are easily screened by antibiotic resistance on plates. After transfer to soil the dwarf mutant plants transformed with a wild-type version of the gene show normal size. In addition to offering a visual understanding of the effect of GA on stem elongation, students learn additional techniques in this experiment, including PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. This experiment is cost effective and can be completed within a four-month term.
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1 - Michigan State University, Plant Biology, 362 Plant Biology Building, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-1312, USA
2 - Michigan State University, Plant Biology
Keywords:
gibberellins
dwarf mutants
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Plant transformation.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P46012
Abstract ID:1203 |
