Transposon tagging and the study of root development in Arabidopsis.
Journal
  Gravitational and space biology bulletin : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology.
Citation
  Gravit Space Biol Bull. 11(2):79-87
Publication date
  1998 May
Authors
  Tsugeki R
Olson ML
Fedoroff NV
Investigators
  Nina Fedoroff
MeSH headings
  Arabidopsis
DNA Transposable Elements
DNA, Plant
Mutagenesis, Insertional
Plant Root Cap
Plant Roots
MeSH qualifiers
  genetics
Abstract
  The maize Ac-Ds transposable element family has been used as the basis of transposon mutagenesis systems that function in a variety of plants, including Arabidopsis. We have developed modified transposons and methods which simplify the detection, cloning and analysis of insertion mutations. We have identified and are analyzing two plant lines in which genes expressed either in the root cap cells or in the quiescent cells, cortex/endodermal initial cells and columella cells of the root cap have been tagged with a transposon carrying a reporter gene. A gene expressed in root cap cells tagged with an enhancer-trap Ds was isolated and its corresponding EST cDNA was identified. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the gene show no significant similarity to other genes in the database. Genetic ablation experiments have been done by fusing a root cap-specific promoter to the diphtheria toxin A-chain gene and introducing the fusion construct into Arabidopsis plants. We find that in addition to eliminating gravitropism, root cap ablation inhibits elongation of roots by lowering root meristematic activities.
Medline ID
  98615360