Elucidating the role of DELLAs in controlling GAMYB activity during wheat grain development
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
WORK PROGRAMME: The main objective of the lab rotation project will be to identify DELLA (RHT-1) interacting proteins that control GA-responsive aleurone responses in the wheat grain. The identity of these components has the potential to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms through which DELLAs regulate GAMYB activity in aleurone cells. To identify RHT-1 interacting proteins, a yeast 2-hybrid screen will be performed using an RHT-1 bait construct to screen an aleurone cDNA prey library (generated by our group). Prey clones encoding potential interactors will be sequenced and bioinformatics analyses performed to investigate function. Confirmation that clones encode DELLA interactors will be performed by retransforming plasmids into yeast and repeating yeast 2-hybrid assays. An additional objective of the rotation project will be the characterisation of a-amylase induction in wheat gamyb mutants. These experiments will involve monitoring the effect of GA on a-amylase induction in all mutant combinations to establish whether the roles of the different homoeologous GAMYB genes in wheat. TRAINING: This project will involve a broad range of techniques and experimental approaches used in plant biology. These will include general molecular biology cloning techniques using bacteria and yeast. The student will also gain considerable experience in using yeast 2-hybrid assays to identify interacting proteins. There will also be a strong bioinformatics element within the project, allowing the student to gain experience using Geneious, QTLnetminer and interrogation of wheat genomic resources. In addition, the student will gain experience in reverse genetics approaches in wheat.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/10/2024 | |||
| 1804065 | Studentship | BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2016 | 17/02/2021 |
| Description | Our group studies hormone signalling in wheat, with the focus on gibberellin signalling. Gibberellin is involved in many physiological and developmental responses in a plants life. The signalling pathway is slightly different depending on the tissue. This project focused on gibberellin signalling in the aleurone of wheat, a single-cell layer of the grain that has a very important role during grain germination. In the course of this project it was discovered that wheat DELLA protein, RHT-1, which is a master negative regulator of gibberellin responses, interacts with IDD transcription factor and with grass-specific ethtlene response factor. The relevance of these interactions are yet to be studied further, but the effect of knocking out the IDD gene seem to have an effect on the whole plant physiology, not only the grain. Furthermore, the interaction of RHT-1 with ERF suggests a crosstalk between gibberellin and ethylene signalling pathways in wheat aleurone. |
| Exploitation Route | The effect of the IDD gene on the wheat physiology can be studied further and maybe in future the results of these studies could be utilised to generate new wheat lines that are better performing. Another aspect of this project is generating a mutant using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. As six genes were targeted in a single experiment, the results of the segregation of the alleles in the subsequent generations may help understand the hurdles of using this fairly new method in complex organisms such as wheat. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Description | Open Days for 175th Anniversary of Rothamsted Research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In total around 8000 people visited our site to learn about the science we do here at Rothamsted Research. Our group, as every other group, had its stand with posters, leaflets and interactive games for the visitors to enjoy. I talked to the visitors about our research and explained why it is important to continue scientific research and how did science influence the wheat market today so far. I also presented a 3-minute thesis style pitch to the visitors in our main auditorium, summarising the purpose and potential outcomes of my study, and interviewed visitors, asking them about their opinion on the science they had learned about. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |