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The Arabidopsis chromatin remodeling ATPase, CHR23, demonstrates a novel parental effect on seed size
Mabante, Madeleine M. (Maddie)
Mabante, Madeleine M. (Maddie)
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URCAS, Student research, 2018 Spring, Class of 2019, Biology, Department of
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Abstract
The genetics of seed size is confounded by the strong parental contributions to seed growth and
development. For example, using Columbia (Col) ecotype pollen on C24 ovules produces an
atypically large seed whereas the reverse cross produces a normal seed. Although Histone and
DNA methylation pathways are both known to contribute to parental biases in seed size, specific
realizators of the parental programs are not known. Using DNA methylation-sensitive AFLP, a
screen was conducted for cis and trans-regulators of differential DNA methylation between Col
and C24. A locus was identified, CHR23, that shares homology with SWI/SNF2-type chromatin
remodeling ATPases. CHR23 has been implicated in cell growth and the regulation of gene
expression, though most of its function remains uncharacterized. Crossing CHR23 mutants and
wild-type Col Arabidopsis revealed larger seeds when CHR23 was the maternal factor, larger
seeds were seen. Surprisingly, homozygous CHR23 seeds appeared in all ways normal. Analysis
continued by isolating mRNA from crosses and using reverse transcriptase (RT) and PCR to amplify expression and identify genes. Next, we will verify CHR23 expression and further
identify parental contribution to Arabidopsis seed size.
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Presentation by Maddie Mabante ('19) delivered at the Rhodes College Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium (URCAS).