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Abstract Detail


Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)

Puhr, Rosemary [1], Malcomber, Simon [2].

Artificial microRNA knockdowns of SPARSEINFLORESENCE1 in Brachypodium distachyon further clarify the changing role of SPARSE INFLORESCENCE1 genes in grasses.

The YUCCA gene family catalyzes a broadly conserved pathway for production of the growth hormone indole acetic acid (IAA), the predominant form of auxin in plants. YUCCA genes are functionally redundant in Arabidopsis but have non-redundant roles in grasses and petunia. In maize, sparse inflorescence1 (Zmspi1) mutants show dramatically reduced branching in the ear and tassel and are shorter than wild type plants. Rice, on the other hand, has only the vegetative phenotype when its ortholog (OsYUC1/SPI1) is knocked down, indicating that SPI1 function has changed during the diversification of the grass family. This study characterizes artificial microRNA knockdowns of SPI1 in Brachypodium distachyon (BdSPI1), an emerging grass model species closely related to the key economic crops wheat and barley, to ascertain SPI1's role in Brachypodium and determine the likelihood that SPI1's critical role in maize is conserved in other economically important grasses. Additional members of the YUCCA gene family in Brachypodium are identified, and their expression patterns are reported both in wild type plants and in Bdspi1 mutants. Characterization of BdSPI1's expression and function reveals the degree of conservation of SPI1's important role in grass inflorescence morphology and plant architecture.

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Related Links:
Auxin EvoDevo Project Website


1 - California State Univ. - Long Beach, Biological Sciences, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA
2 - CSU - Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA

Keywords:
YUCCA genes
auxin biosynthesis
SPARSE INFLORESCENCE1
Evo-Devo
grasses
Brachypodium distachyon
artificial microRNA.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEV010
Abstract ID:632


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