30th Annual Student Research Conference
Evolutionary History and Expression of the Lonesome Highway Transcription Factor Gene Family in Maize
Jessica L. Kottmeier
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner and Dr. Brent Buckner, Faculty Mentors
The LONESOME HIGHWAY (AtLHW) and LONESOME HIGHWAY-LIKE (AtLHL) genes in Arapidopsis encode atypical basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors involved in regulating vascular development in root and leaf, including controlling xylem cell fate decisions. We have identified four orthologs of the AtLHW gene in the maize genome, which we have designated ZmLHWA, ZmLHWB, ZmLHWC and ZmLHWD. Based on phylogenetic analyses and evidence of flanking genomic features we conclude that ZmLHWA and ZmLHWB are syntenic, as are ZmLHWC and ZmLHWD. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR, the expression of these four ZmLHW paralogs was examined in above ground tissue of 14-day seedlings from inbred lines B73 and Mo17. Significant differences were found in the expression of these paralogs in B73 and Mo17. Using RNAseq datasets we have also analyzed the expression of ZmLHW and ZmLHL paralogs in various tissues within the primary root of B73 and Mo17 seedlings. These analyses indicate that the ZmLHW and ZmLHL paralogs are differentially expressed in root tissue.
Keywords: Transcription Factor, Lonesome Highway, paralog, expression
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 6-
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: