Identification, isolation, expression analysis and molecular characterization of nine genes key to late embryogenesis in Loblolly pine

A basic understanding of the molecular events occurring during zygotic embryogenesis is required to fully understand how and why only a very small percentage of somatic embryos develop past the late embryogeny phase of embryogenesis. In this work, we have identified genes that have been demonstrated to be required for late embryonic development in the model plant system Arabidopsis thaliana. These genes were subsequently isolated and cloned from Loblolly pine embryos. These isolated clones were sequenced and analyzed to reveal significant homology to the known Arabidopsis ABA responsive genes ABI3, ABI4, and ABI5. Expression analyses of all three genes were completed, and compared to reported data of ABA accumulation, as well as, expression of other ABA responsive genes during the same stages of embryogenesis. Six putative root development genes were isolated and cloned from Loblolly pine embryos. These isolated clones were sequenced and analyzed to reveal significant homology to the known Arabidopsis root development genes WOODENLEG, SHORT ROOT, SCARECROW, HOBBIT, BODENLOS, and MONOPTEROS. Full-length cDNAs were isolated and cloned for WOODENLEG, SHORT ROOT, SCARECROW and BODENLOS. Expression analyses of all six genes were completed throughout mid to late embryogenesis in Loblolly pine.

Department dc:contributor.department

Biology

Grantor dc:publisher

Georgia Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Jones, Brande

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Pullman, Gerald S.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cairney, John
• Chernoff, Yury
• Choi, Jung
• Dean, Jeffrey
• Wartell, Roger

• Plant genetics
• Somatic embryogenesis
• Root development

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1853/43598

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.gatech.edu:1853/43598