|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Cell Signaling (Alexander Yephremov) |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Group Yephremov
|
|
|
|
|
Cell Signaling
|
|
|
|
|
Expression of FDH in the epidermis |
The fate of cells during the development of a multicellular organism, particularly in plants, is determined by a cumulative action of signals from neighbouring cells, as well from cells at a distance. Firstly, the signals are conveyed by a group of plant hormones, which are reminiscent to animal hormones as for their ability to move in the body. Secondly, cells exchange molecules that act over a short distance, perhaps at most over few cells. These include proteins and peptides, lipids, carbohydrates and their various derivatives. As a result, a fine co-ordination of the cells is achieved and a regular morphogenesis and an organogenesis take place. Because chemically distinct types of molecules are involved, various pathways are implicated in cell signaling.
We aim to define the role that signaling plays in cell differentiation, particularly in the epidermis of floral organs.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Scanning Electron Microscopy |
We took an approach that involves an insertional mutagenesis with En/Spm in Arabidopsis. This allows the molecular identification of genes, which are involved in cell fate determination and the ability to address their functions. Using this approach, we have cloned three genes, FIDDLEHEAD (FDH), LACERATA (LCR), and BODYGUARD (BDG), which are responsible for cell differentiation in the epidermis and for many developmental features of plants. The FDH and LCR genes are involved in a lipid metabolism, therefore we aim to reveal a mechanism, which provides a link to the cell differentiation.
|
|
|
Functional Genomics with Transposons
|
|
It became evident a long time ago that the identification of mutations in genes is the way of choice, if one dreams about discovering gene functions, and which genes are necessary for an evolvement of particular features of plants.
Transposons may be found in many if not all plants as natural components of their genomes. Transposon insertion mutations can be traced down molecularly with the ease that gives an advantage to transposons as mutagens.
Because transposon insertions break the original DNA sequences, they result in gene knock-outs with a high frequency. Missing a certain gene function as compared to wild types may affect the mutant plant, therefore one could establish a link between the gene and a phenotype.
No matter, whether one begins with a particular phenotype (forward genetics) or a particular gene (reverse genetics), the goal is to find how certain features of plants are achieved.
The development of methodology and techniques that pursue this goal is the major task of this project that is conducted now in frames of ZIGIA.
Sometimes, when the transposon leaves the insertion site, the gene sequence becomes an alteration, termed as a footprint. This type of mutation is more likely to be useful for a plant than the transposon insertion, particularly if the mutation affects only a few amino acids in the protein. The identification of gene footprint alleles is the other challenge for this research project.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© 2010, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne |
|
|
Top