| Abstract Detail
Photomorphogenesis Durham, Tessa L. [1], Miller, Nathan D. [2], Spalding, Edgar [3]. Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors that Influence Apical Hook Opening in Blue Light. The apical hook protects the meristem of an etiolated hypocotyl from damage as the seedling pushes through the soil. Red, blue, and far-red wavelengths can stimulate hook opening in Arabidopsis, possibly by reducing the ethylene sensitivity of the hook tissue. This investigation is focused on determining genetic and non-genetic factors that influence how the apical hook opens in response to blue light by measuring hook angle over time. Hook angle is calculated by integrating axial curvature values determined from time-lapsed electronic images of seedlings using custom morphometric analysis software. Genetically, a Glutamate Receptor-Like (GLR) gene has been identified as a required component of the hook opening process in response to low-fluence blue light. Previous data has shown that GLRs are required for normal membrane depolarization and calcium influx in response to six amino acids (C, A, G, E, N, S), consistent with the proposed function of these proteins as ligand-gated ion channels. Non-genetic factors also affect the opening response. For example, the rate at which the hook opens in response to light depends on the size of the seed from which the seedling came. Determining the non-genetic factors that contribute to hook opening in response to blue light is necessary before meaningful interpretations of genetic effects on the process can be made.
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1 - University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Botany and Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
2 - UW-Madison, Departments of Botany and Biomedical Engineering
3 - University of Wisconsin - Madison, Botany
Keywords:
apical hook
hook opening
blue light
seed size
glutamate receptor
GLR.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P31020
Abstract ID:2196 |
