28th Annual Student Research Conference
Progress toward the identification of the gene responsible for the raggedseedling378 phenotype
Marissa N. Fabbri* and Rosalyn C. Henn
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner and Dr. Brent Buckner, Faculty Mentors
The EMS-induced maize mutant raggedseedling378 (rgd378) exhibits a variable and quite severe phenotype. Mutant plants have small filamentous leaves and a split coleoptile, or produce no shoot at all. The root system of rgd378 plants is also altered, developing fewer seminal roots and a shorter primary root compared to wild-type siblings. Histological analysis identified alterations to mesophyll cells and vascular bundle spacing in leaves and metaxylem abnormalities in primary roots. Bulked segregant RNA-seq (BSR-seq) analysis was used to map the gene responsible for the rgd378 phenotype to a large interval on chromosome 3. SnpEff analysis was used to locate genetic variants in the approximately 1000 genes within this interval. Genes with genetic variants associated with the rgd378 plants but not the wild-type allele and that are likely to cause high or moderate structural alterations on their protein product are currently being evaluated as possible candidate genes for rgd378.
Keywords: maize, developmental mutant, RNA Seq, genetics
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 3-6
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30