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Abstract Detail


Mechanisms of Gene Regulation

Willet, Spencer [1], Wilson, Rebecca [1], Torii, Keiko [2], Shpak, Elena [3].

Posttranscriptional regulation of ERECTA receptor-like kinase expression.

Growth of an organism is dependant on cell proliferation and cell expansion which are tightly regulated by genetic and environmental factors. Coordination of these processes is especially important in plants where rigid cell walls prevent cell migration. The ERECTA receptor-like kinase and its paralogs play an important role in plant growth by promoting cell proliferation. They are also involved in the inhibition of stomata development in the epidermis. ERECTA contains an extracellular leucine rich repeat domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic Ser/Thr kinase domain. Its overall structure resembles the structure of the growth factor receptors which are important regulators of cell proliferation in animals. Regulation of growth factor receptor expression levels and their activity is crucial for appropriate organ growth, with high levels of these receptors leading to cancer. While ERECTA mRNA is expressed at relatively high levels the protein is very low in abundance. Overexpression of the receptor by the 35S promoter or the 4x35S enhancer does not lead to an increase in the protein amount. Our data suggest two levels of posttranscriptional regulation of ERECTA expression. The presence of the juxta membrane domain (JMD) in the receptor results in a dramatic decrease of ERECTA. The JMD of ERECTA might regulate receptor endocytosis and its subsequent degradation, or/and the JMD presence might inhibit ERECTA formation. We also show that the presence of introns in the ERECTA gene is important for protein synthesis but does not affect mRNA levels.


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1 - University of Tennessee, BCMB
2 - University of Washington, Biology
3 - University of Tennessee, BCMB, M407 Walters Life Science, Knoxville, TN, 37922, USA

Keywords:
receptor kinase
cell division
splicing
protein synthesis and turnover.

Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P36029
Abstract ID:1270


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