28th Annual Student Research Conference
Mapping of the Supressor of Sessile Spikelet Mutant in Maize
Zachary D. Rhodes
Dr. Elisabeth A. Hooper and Dr. Paula McSteen (University of Missouri), Faculty Mentors
The fundamental unit of inflorescence architecture in grasses is the spikelet. In maize, spikelets are produced in pairs: a pedicellate spikelet and a sessile spikelet. The Suppressor of sessile spikelet (Sos) mutants result in single spikelets. In the grass family (Poaceae), single spikelets are the ancestral trait. Study of the Sos loci will shed light on the evolution of this derived trait. The Sos loci are being mapped in order to identify the genes regulating paired spikelet formation. The Sos1-ref mutation had been mapped to a region containing three genes, that show no recombination. Sos1-up(allelic to Sos1-ref) is being used to narrow down the map location. Sos2 has been mapped to a region containing 28 genes. An uncharacterized duplicate of zcn3, known to play a role in floral transition, in this region was chosen as a candidate for the gene altered in Sos2 mutants. Primers were designed and the gene was sequenced to look for mutations in mutants compared to wildtype siblings.
Keywords: Maize, Spikelet, Mutant, Derived Trait
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 107-2
Location: MG 2001
Time: 8:15