29th Annual Student Research Conference
Investigation of the Transcription and Splicing of RPB4 mRNA in Maize and Arabidopsis
Maggie R. Campbell
Dr. Brent Buckner and Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentors
RPB4 is one of twelve subunits that interact to form RNA Polymerase II. In Arabidopsis, plants that are homozygous for a T-DNA-induced exonic mutation within the gene for RPB4 display abnormally small "crinkled" leaves. We have designated this phenotype as the CRINKLE1. The orthologous maize mutant displays a phenotype with characteristics that include narrow leaf blades and upward rolling along the leaf margin. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to investigate RPB4 mRNA accumulation and intron splicing. In maize the accumulation of fully spliced RPB4 mRNA was reduced in mutant plants. Using primers proximal to the T-DNA insertion, no significant difference between wild-type and CRINKLE1 Arabidopsis plants was detected in the amount of RPB4 mRNA produced, however, the CRINKLE1 mutants accumulate approximately three times as much unspliced RPB4 mRNA distal to the T-DNA insertion. This suggests that the T-DNA insertion in this gene does not influence transcription initiation but does influence splicing.
Keywords: maize, Arabidopsis, RPB4, T-DNA, RNA Polymerase II
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-6
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30