| Abstract Detail
Large Scale Technologies and Resources Kakar, Klementina [1], Wandrey, Maren [2], Cheung, Foo [3], Xiao, Yongli [3], Wu, Hank [3], Town, Christopher [3], Schlereth, Armin [2], Czechowski, Tomasz [2], Stitt, Mark [2], Verdier, Jerome [4], Thompson, Richard [4], Torres-Jerez, Ivone [5], Udvardi, Michael K. [5]. Genome-wide analysis of transcription factor gene expression by high-throughput qRT-PCR in Medicago. Transcription factors (TFs) are master control proteins in all living cells. They control transcription and influence many biological processes including cell cycle progression, metabolism, growth, development, and responses to the environment. To characterize the full complement of transcription factors encoded by the genome of the model legume Medicago truncatula, we used a comprehensive list of TF protein domains to query protein-coding genes annotated by the International Medicago Genome Annotation Group (IMGAG). Predicted TFs were classified into known plant families and several potentially novel TF families, based on their characteristic protein domains. TF genes are often expressed at levels too low for their transcripts to be measured by hybridization-based techniques, such as microarrays. To overcome this problem, we developed a resource to measure transcript levels of all Medicago TF genes (1084 so far) by quantitative RT-PCR, using gene-specific PCR primers. This has enabled us to identify many organ-specific TFs in Medicago. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of gene expression at six stages of seed development, combined with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) facilitated the identification of numerous seed-specific TF genes, some of which may regulate seed storage metabolism and nutrient composition. Functional characterisation of selected TFs is being pursued using RNAi and other reverse-genetic approaches in Medicago. Additionally, orthologues of these genes are being characterised functionally in Arabidopsis.
Acknowledgements: This research was supported by the EU FP6 integrated project “Grain Legumes” (FOOD-CT-2004-506223), the Max Planck Society, and The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
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1 - Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Metabolic Networks Department, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam-Golm, 14476, Germany
2 - Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Metabolic Networks Department
3 - The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), Plant Genomics Department
4 - Génétique et écophysiologie des légumineuses INRA Domaine d'Époisse, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
5 - The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Plant Biology Division
Keywords:
transcript profiling
transcription factor
real-time RT-PCR
seed development
Medicago
Arabidopsis.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P42007
Abstract ID:876 |
