Author
 |
HE, MINGZE - Iowa State University |
|
Andorf, Carson |
|
WALLEY, JUSTIN - Iowa State University |
|
WALIA, HARKAMAL - University Of Nebraska |
|
KOCH, KAREN - University Of Florida |
|
LIU, PENG - Iowa State University |
|
BASS, HANK - Florida State University |
|
LAWRENCE-DILL, CAROLYN - Iowa State University |
|
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/16/2016 Publication Date: 3/17/2016 Citation: He, M., Andorf, C.M., Walley, J., Walia, H., Koch, K., Liu, P., Bass, H., Lawrence-Dill, C. 2016. Investigating diversity and possible functions of G-quadruplexes in regulatory regions of maize genes. In: 58th Annual Maize Genetics Conference, March 17-20, 2016, Jacksonville, Florida. p. 85. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: G4-quadruplexes are reversible DNA structures that likely function in gene regulation, but exactly how they work is not known. G4 DNA can be predicted from sequence motifs such as the pattern G-G-G-N(1,7)-G-G-G-N(1,7)-G-G-G-N(1,7)-G-G-G-N(1,7). In the maize genome, G4 motifs were found to occupy non-random sites including antisense 5’ UTR hot spots in genes associated with low energy signaling and responses, including hypoxia, low sugar, and nutrient deprivation1. This enrichment suggests that maize G4 DNA may play a role in energy stress response. We are conducting analyses that seek to determine whether and how genes harboring G4 elements: (1) contribute to plant developmental processes and stress response, (2) vary in constitution across diverse germplasm, and (3) could be combined (through plant breeding or gene editing) to modulate the stress response. Here we describe our initial results and outline next steps for these investigations. |
