Arabidopsis and Auxin

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Arabidopsis and Auxin, a Perfect Pair to Engineer Gene Expression Introduction Reporter genes can be manipulated to study the expression of transcription factors involved in the signaling cascade of the Arabidopsis thaliana plant (Figure 1). Several features make the Arabidopsis an ideal species for molecular genetic studies: small size, quick generation time, ability to thrive in a controlled environment, high fertility rate, simplicity with which a mutant line can be maintained by self-fertilization, and the ease with which a line can be out-crossed. In addition to having all the key features of a model system for the study of genetics, Arabidopsis has the smallest known plant genome, with the least amount of repetitive sequences than any other known higher plant species, significantly enhancing their ability to contribute to molecular research. In order to induce gene cascade in Arabidopsis, the plant hormone auxin (Figure 2) is utilized. Auxin is a vital and fundamental plant hormone that synchronizes diverse processes such as cell division, embryogenesis, meristem formation, root and leaf patterning, tropism, and reproduction. A vast amount of molecular research has isolated a substantial set of auxin-inducible genes and the auxin-responsive cis-elements and the relevant trans-acting factors. Furthermore, genetic methods have led to the identification of genes involved in auxin responses and transport, and the unraveling of protein degradation control in auxin signaling. In this experiment, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms essential to the auxin signal transduction pathways that control nuclear gene transcription and plant morphogenesis will be distinguished and characterized. The goal of this experiment is to study the regulatory genes important in auxin-inducible transcription and morphogenesis by using Arabidopsis as a model system. To achieve
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