17th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Isolation of a Maize FBX6 cDNA from Shoot Apical Meristem
Michael R. Ravenscraft
Dr. Brent Buckner and Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentors
The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is a group of cells located at plant apex that gives rise to shoot and lateral organs (leaves, flowers and side branches) of plants. Although several genes involved in SAM development have been identified in plants, relatively few have been characterized in maize. Recently, we cloned the maize fbx6 gene, a gene that may function in SAMs. Total RNA from SAM-enriched tissue of B73 maize plants was isolated. Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) were then made of the SAM mRNAs. Using degenerative primers designed from arabidopsis and rice FBX6 proteins, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the SAM cDNAs and produced an 800 bp PCR product. Sequence analysis of this PCR product revealed homology to several arabidopsis F-box family members, and to the rice fbx6 gene. Our maize fbx6 clone will be used in the future to study changes in gene expression during SAM cell differentiation and leaf primordial development.
Keywords: Shoot Meristem, Maize, Fbx6
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-38
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15