23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Characterization of a Maize Knox-like Mutant
Christopher J. Tracy* and Hazar H. Khidir
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner and Dr. Brent Buckner, Faculty Mentors
In maize, class 1 knox genes are expressed in the shoot apical meristem, encode transcription factors and are involved in cell fate decisions. A knox-like mutant was identified in a maize line that exhibits active Mutator transposition. This knox-like phenotype is evident as aberrant cell patterning at the leaf sheath/blade boundary. As is typical for knox-like mutants, this phenotype becomes evident in more developmentally mature plants. The gene responsible for this specific mutant phenotype has not yet been identified. However, RT-PCR was used to qualitatively characterize the epistatic influence that this gene has on the expression of eight of nine known class 1 knox genes. In this genetic background lg3, rs1, knox5, knox8 and knox11 are all ectopically expressed in the mutant leaf tissue. No other genes are currently thought to result in a knox-like phenotype that has this type of epistatic influence on class 1 knox genes.
Keywords: maize, knox, genetics, plant
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 8-10
Location: SUB-GEO
Time: 4:15