Increased expression of NADP malic enzyme in the guard cells of <i>Arabidopsis</i> plants

<p>Plants lose their water as transpiration by stomatal opening, which is governed by guard cells surrounding the stomata. Influx of ions such as K⁺, Cl-, from neighboring cells into guard cells, and malate synthesis within guard cells increases turgor pressure opening the stomata. Stomata close when K⁺ and Cl- efflux out, and the cytosolic isoform of NADP ME convert malate to pyruvate. We hypothesize that stomatal closure can be controlled by increased NADP ME activity in guard cells. More than one of the homozygous transgenic <em>Arabidopsis</em> plants that are transformed with a guard cell promoter driving expression of maize NADP ME have been obtained by herbicide screening. Molecular studies have confirmed presence of the transgene in these transformants. Enzyme assays shows higher ME activity in these transformants, indicating an active form of maize ME. Such transgenic plants would help to determine effects of increased ME activity on plant water loss.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

2006

Author dc:creator

• Thakur, Pooja

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Marianne Laporte PhD, Chair
• Dr. James VandenBosch PhD, Member
• Dr. Daniel Clemans PhD, Member

• Plants Transpiration
• Plant ecology
• Plants Water requirements
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/76

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1075