Asymmetric division of the zygote and suspensor formation in Arabidopsis

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spg Hbr NY

Investigators

Abstract

In higher plants, the division of the zygote is asymmetric and establishes two fundamentally different cell types: the smaller daughter of the zygote assumes an embryonic cell-fate, while the larger daughter forms the mainly extra-embryonic suspensor. The long-term goal of this research is to understand the signaling events responsible for this fundamental cell-fate decision. Previous work by the P.I. has led to the discovery of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase gene, YDA, that functions as part of a molecular switch to regulate extra-embryonic cell fates. This project will further characterize the YDA signal transduction pathway in the model plant Arabidopsis by: (1) characterizing the receptor-like protein kinase gene SSP, which is predicted to link YDA function to the activation of a cell surface receptor, with standard methods of molecular biology and histology; (2) identifying as yet unknown components of the signaling chain with genetic and biochemical approaches. This research will elucidate a fundamental aspect of plant embryonic development with potentially important results for the efficient production of plant embryos and seedlings in culture. The project will provide training opportunities for a postdoctoral researcher as well as undergraduate and high school students in cutting edge molecular biology and genetics.