| Abstract Detail
Lipids Jin, Yuqin [1], Daolin, Chen [2], Ling, Li [2]. Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Wax Synthase genes of Arabidopsis. Neutral esters of fatty acids occur widely in the biosphere, the most common being triacylglycerol esters that constitute the fats and oils that organisms use to store carbon and energy. Although more rare, most organisms also accumulate fatty acids esterified to long-chain alcohols (wax monoacyl-esters). These molecules are abundant in whale blubber, beeswax and in the oil that accumulates in the seeds of the dessert bush, jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). In addition, wax monoacyl-esters are a major component of the cuticle of many plants and insects. These molecules are assembled by the reaction of a fatty acyl-CoA with a fatty alcohol, which is catalyzed by wax synthase. Using the jojoba wax synthase cDNA sequence as an entry point into sequence databases, it appears that the Arabidopsis genome contains 12 wax synthase genes, which are clustered and distribute on chromosomes 1, 3 and 5. To begin to address the functional significance of this genetic complexity we have focused on three wax synthase genes (At5g55340, At5g55380 and At5g51420), and are generating and characterizing a collection of loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutants associated with each gene. Fourteen alleles with T-DNA insertions in the targeted wax synthase genes are being characterized as loss-of-function mutants. T-DNA insertional mutation at the At5g55380 locusaffects the growth morphology of the plant. Specifically, it affects root growth, and silique and seed yields. Consistent with this phenotype, investigations of the spatial and temporal expression pattern of the targeted wax synthase genes with promoter::GUS transgenes indicates that this gene is highly expressed in roots. Finally, over-expressing each of the targeted gene in Arabidopsis and yeast is generating gain-of-function mutants, which will be biochemically characterized.
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1 - Iowa State University, Biochemistry, Biophysics, and molecular biology, Room 2238 MBB, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
2 - Iowa State University
Keywords:
wax synthase ester lipid
wax synthase
esters.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P21010
Abstract ID:1912 |
