27th Annual Student Research Conference
Influence of the Maize ZmLHWA gene on Root Development
Abbi Berry
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentor
The Lonesome Highway (LHW) gene in Arabidopsis plants plays a role in cell fate decisions in roots and is involved in proper cell division and differentiation to form xylem. Maize contains two paralogs of the LHW gene: ZmLHLA and ZmLHWB. To determine whether the maize ZmLHWA gene performs a similar role in maize root development, we identified through the UniformMu Project a maize line in which the ZmLHWA gene is tagged with a Mutator transposable element. Kernels from a self-pollination of maize plants bearing a Mu-ZmLHWA allele were grown for 10 days on germination paper. DNA was isolated from shoot tissue and used for identifying plants that were homozygous for the Mu-ZmLHWA or wild-type ZmLHWA allele. These plants are being used to examine root histology by light microscopy. Additionally, gene expression studies will be performed using cDNA prepared from root tips to determine whether Mu-ZmLHWA alters expression of genes involved in vascular development.
Keywords: ZmLHWA, Lonesome Highway, maize, root development, Mu-ZmLHWA, cell fate
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-14
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30