Understanding genetic regulation of UV-B responses in Arabidopsis thaliana

UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Stephanie J. Smith (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Advisor
Ann Stapleton

Abstract: Light plays a major signaling role in plant growth and development, which directly involves plant photoreceptors. UV-B radiation (280-320nm) is also an integral component of sunlight that may cause damage to macromolecules or activate adaptive responses. Using genes known to be UV-inducible from previous microarray experiments, I measured gene expression after UV-B exposure using real-time PCR in wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings, and then compared wild-type gene expression to expression in a putative UV-B photoreceptor mutant. I also monitored the effect of UV-B on growth, which was measured by leaf rosette diameter. In two experimental settings, there were significant differences between treatments (Mylar and cellulose diacetate), genotypes (mutant and wild-type), and their interaction. Based on these results, I conclude that the candidate gene fits the phenotype of a UV-B photoreceptor and confers increased growth in the greenhouse when the photoreceptor is present in plants exposed to UV-B radiation.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Science
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Arabidopsis thaliana--Effect of light on, Arabidopsis thaliana--Effect of ultraviolet radiation on, Arabidopsis thaliana--Genetics
Subjects
Arabidopsis thaliana -- Genetics
Arabidopsis thaliana -- Effect of ultraviolet radiation on
Arabidopsis thaliana -- Effect of light on

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