| Abstract Detail
Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) Meyer, Rachel [1], Litt, Amy [2]. The role of ETR4, an ethylene receptor, in the ripening of flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris Speg., Solanaceae) capsules. The role of ethylene in the development of fleshy fruits has been extensively studied. However, little is known about the role of ethylene in the development of non-fleshy fruits such as capsules. Current evidence suggests that ethylene does not play an important role in silique (a dry dehiscent fruit) development in Arabidopsis. Loss-of-function of PhEIN2, an ethylene responsive gene, has been shown to significantly delay fruit ripening when suppressed in petunia, a capsule-bearing member of the Solanaceae. Here we use species within the Solanaceae family to understand how ethylene-related genes are involved in capsule development. We are currently assessing the role of the gene ETHYLENE RECEPTOR 4 (NsETR4) in the capsule development of flowering tobacco. Le ETR4 is one of six genes coding for essential ethylene receptor proteins in tomato. Tomatoes with reduced Le ETR4 gene expression have an ethylene hypersensitive phenotype, with symptoms such as early flower senescence and accelerated fruit ripening. ETR4 knockouts of the MicroTom variety of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) were made using the Gateway system to generate RNAi constructs, which were used to transform excised cotyledons. Studying these genes in Solanaceae, members of which have similar genomes but produce different morphological outcomes, can help us understand how gene function has changed during the course of evolution.
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - City University of New York, Graduate Center / New York Botanical Gard, Biology, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
2 - New York Botanical Garden, Institute of Systematic Botany, 200Th Street & Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York, 10458-5126, USA
Keywords:
ethylene
Solanaceae
knockout mutants
developmental botany
tomato
tobacco
Gateway
capsule.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P70008
Abstract ID:1567 |
