22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Expression of the Fas1 Paralogs in Maize
Christopher G. Dove*, Rebecca L. O'Connell, and Christa A. Manton
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner and Dr. Brent Buckner, Faculty Mentors
The FASCIATA1 (Fas1) gene encodes the largest subunit of chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), which is involved in DNA replication-associated chromatin assembly and is essential for proper development in plants. In maize there are two Fas1 paralogs, designated ZmFas1a and ZmFas1b, which encode proteins with approximately 90% amino acid similarity. Plant FAS1 proteins contain a charged KER domain; this domain contains a highly conserved 25 amino acid long motif that is found once in Arabidopsis FAS1, while maize FAS1a and FAS1b have 3 and 4 repeat motifs, respectively. RT-PCR analysis of multiple tissues from B73 plants indicates that both ZmFas1 paralogs are expressed to a similar level in all tissues examined; tissues that are mitotically active exhibit a high level of expression, consistent with CAF-1 molecular function. In contrast, analyses of seedlings from several maize lines demonstrated variable ZmFas1 paralog expression, with ZmFas1b generally being expressed at a higher level.
Keywords: maize, chromatin, genetics, plant, paralog, FASCIATA1
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 10-5
Location: PML
Time: 4:15