16/2009 - Prof. Dr. Günther Theißen
Intracellular interactions of floral homeotic proteins
Abstract
The development of the different organs and segments of
multicellular organisms is usually controlled by a few key
regulatory transcription factors. In previous years, much has
been learned about the genetic function of these regulators.
However, the biochemical and biophysical basis of their activity
is often only poorly understood. One intriguing example is the
specification of organs within flowers. Few key transcriptional
regulators govern floral organ identity. However, even though
their functions have been dissected with remarkable precision at
the genetic level, it is still largely unclear how these
“molecular architects of the flower” interact molecularly among
each others, and with DNA and the basic transcriptional
machinery. Recent evidence from in vitro experiments
suggests that these proteins bind as tetrameric complexes
cooperatively to DNA (1, 2). This is likely to be of key
importance for understanding their developmental role (3, 4).
However, compelling in planta evidence for the importance
of this complex formation remains scarce.
The goal of this project is to study the various interactions of
transcription factors controlling floral organ identity with
diverse techniques in planta at the molecular and
biochemical level. Proteins defective in complex formation will
be generated and characterized using transgenic techniques. The
action at specific loci will be studied using chromosome
conformation capture, in vivo footprinting and related
techniques.
Cited references:
1. Melzer, R. and Theissen, G. (2009) Reconstitution of 'floral
quartets' in vitro involving class B and class E floral homeotic
proteins. Nucleic Acids Res, Advanced online access,
doi:10.1093/nar/gkp1129.
2. Melzer, R., Verelst, W. and Theissen, G. (2009) The class E
floral homeotic protein SEPALLATA3 is sufficient to loop DNA in
'floral quartet'-like complexes in vitro. Nucleic Acids Res, 37,
144-157.
3. Theißen, G. (2001) Development of floral organ identity:
stories from the MADS house. Curr Opin Plant Biol, 4, 75-85.
4. Theißen, G. and Saedler, H. (2001) Plant biology. Floral
quartets. Nature, 409, 469-471.
Homepage
>Form 'Statement of Interest'
|
