The molecular mechanisms that regulate early plant seedling photomorphogenesis are largely unknown. A short hypocotyl under blue 1 Dominant (shb1-D) gain-of-function mutant was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana based on its defective long hypocotyl phenotype under red, far-red, and blue light. Surprisingly, shb1-D also shows a large seed phenotype. SHB1 is a nuclear protein and a member of the SYG1 protein family in fungi, worms, flies, and mammals. To study SHB1 function, we mutagenized shb1-D plants with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) and isolated a series of suppressor mutants with a short hypocotyl phenotype. A portion of the suppressors also show a small seed phenotype. We aim to identify the SNPs in two suppressor genes, hrb3 and Blue Specific, by rough genetic mapping and high-throughput sequencing. We successfully identified genetic markers flanking the mutation in hrb3. The region between these markers consists of approximately 500 kb. The mapping of hrb3 to a defined region allows us to proceed with high-throughput sequencing of the mutant DNA. Any SNPs detected in this region will provide insight into the candidate gene that confers the suppressor phenotype. Future efforts will aim towards mapping the Blue Specific mutation to a specific region and sequencing the DNA to scan for SNPs in that particular area. Furthermore, the suppressors with an altered seed phenotype are of great interest. Preparation of mapping populations for these suppressors would allow us to begin mapping these genes. Our work has taken us one step closer to identifying the mutant genes that may play significant roles in the signal cascades that regulate photomorphogenesis and seed development.

Molecular and genetic characterization of <i>shb1-D</i> suppressors in light signaling and seed development

247th National Meeting (2014)

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Molecular and genetic characterization of shb1-D suppressors in light signaling and seed development