18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Isolation and Expression Studies on a FASCIATA1-like Gene in Maize
Christopher R. Spencer
Dr. Brent Buckner and Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentors
Several Arabidopsis genes that are known to be involved in meristem maintenance and development have not yet been isolated and characterized in maize. The Arabidopsis FASCIATA1 protein is a subunit of a chromatin assembly factor that is known to be involved in both shoot and root apical meristem function. Degenerate PCR primers were designed from the Arabidopsis and rice FAS1 proteins and were used in RT-PCR to amplify a FAS1-like cDNA sequence from shoot apical meristem-enriched tissue. We have used 3’RACE to amplify, clone and sequence the 3’ end of this FAS1-like cDNA. This sequence was used to design a primer pair that was used in subsequent expression studies. RT-PCR using a variety of tissues demonstrates that the maize FAS1-like gene is expressed in shoot and root apical meristem-enriched tissues, as well as other tissues that are mitotically active.
Keywords: Maize, Molecular Genetics, Fasciata, Meristem, Plant Biology
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 29-64
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15