| Abstract Detail
Reproductive Development Becerra, Benjamin Joseph [1], Bhattacharya, Monideepa [2], Junqueira, Ricardo [2], Kanrar, Siddhartha [2], Smith, Harley [2]. Elucidating the roles of BELL homedomain transcription factors, PENNYWISE and POUNDFOOLISH, during reproductive development in Arabidopsis thaliana.. Post-embryonic development in flowering plants is regulated by the shoot and root apical meristems. A key stage during the development of flowering plants is the vegetative to reproductive phase transition. During this transition, various endogenous and exogenous cues are perceived in the leaves, where a signal is then produced and transported to the shoot apical meristem (SAM). This in turn begins a cascade of events that ultimately results in floral induction. During the vegetative phase in Arabidopsis, the SAM initiates compact rosette leaves. Upon the floral transition, the SAM undergoes morphological changes to become an inflorescence meristem (IM). The IM initiates reproductive phase-specific organs, such as, cauline leaves, internodes, axillary branches, floral organs and siliques. Recent studies show that competence of the IM to respond to floral inductive cues is dependent upon the activities of two paralogous BELL homeodomain transcription factors, PENNYWISE (PNY) and POUNDFOOLISH (PNF). While pnf mutants resemble wild-type plants, the pnypnf double mutants completely fail to flower, although molecular and morphological evidence suggests that they do receive floral inductive cues. In addition, pny mutants show defects in internode patterning, manifested as shortened internodes dispersed throughout the main shoot. These results indicate that PNY/PNF play a crucial role in regulating inflorescence architecture and flowering. Moreover, preliminary results suggest that PNY/PNF are important in other developmental processes. Our laboratory is currently utilizing various molecular and biochemical techniques to decipher the potential roles of PNY/PNF in plant development. Results from these studies will be presented at the conference. Log in to add this item to your schedule
Related Links: Smith Laboratory
1 - University of California, Riverside, Botany and Plant Sciences, 900 University Avenue, Batchelor Hall, 3123, Riverside, CA, 92521, United States of America 2 - University of California, Riverside, Botany and Plant Sciences
Keywords: floral induction Phase transition meristem flowering.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract Session: P Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007 Time: 8:00 AM Number: P28030 Abstract ID:868 |