26th Annual Student Research Conference
Characterization of a New Developmental Mutant of Maize: rld*5409
Kyler L. Carlson*, Emily R. Ross, and Zenith Tandukar
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentor
In maize, the rolledleaf1 (rld1) and rolledleaf2 (rld2) genes encode HD-ZIPIII proteins that accumulate adaxially in developing leaves, establish polarity and regulate yabby gene expression. microRNA166 (miR166) controls the expression domain of rld1 and rld2 by targeting their transcripts for degradation abaxially. Dominant miR166-insensitive alleles leading to misregulation of rld1 result in an upward rolling of leaves, ectopic ligules and abaxial macrohairs on leaves. A new, recessive rld-like mutant, designated rld*5409, displays a similar leaf phenotype. rld*5409 leaves demonstrates an adaxial reduction of macrohairs, abaxial regions of macrohairs, and both adaxial and abaxial altered stomatal patterning. Gene expression in the miR166/HD-ZIPIII pathway and gene expression in asymmetric cell divisions such as those that give rise to stomata were examined in rld*5409 using quantitative RT-PCR; no statistical difference was observed. Current studies include locating the gene responsible for the rld*5409 mutant phenotype.
Keywords: Maize, rld*5409, miR166, rld, leaf hairs, stomata
Topic(s):Biology
Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2-6
Location: GEO
Time: 3:30