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Donna E. Fernandez Professor of Botany Ph.D. (1987) |
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My lab is taking a molecular approach to the study of plant development, with a focus on the process of embryogenesis. We are using molecular genetics, biochemistry, and in situ localization techniques in combination with developmental mutants to ask: What factors are responsible for 'telling' an embryo that it is developing as part of a seed and should make storage products and cotyledons rather than leaves? When do these factors appear and when is embryonic 'identity' first imposed? What happens when the young plants exit the embryonic phase and how is the transition to post-germinative growth accomplished? To find the factors involved in these processes, we must learn more about genes that are expressed at the earliest stages of embryogenesis. We are using two species for this work: Brassica napus, because of its large size; and Arabidopsis thaliana, because of its power as a genetic system. Much of our current work is focused on AGL15, a regulatory factor in the MADS-domain family, which accumulates preferentially in young embryos. Further investigations using AGL15-specific antibodies have shown us that translocation of this factor into the nucleus is developmentally regulated in a wide variety of embryogenic systems in plants. When AGL15 is constitutively expressed, the longevity of the floral organs is increased, suggesting that AGL15 plays a more general role in the regulation of age-dependent processes in plants. Experiments to investigate the relationship between AGL15, other components of regulatory networks, and developmental decision-making in young embryos and flowers are currently in progress. Recent Publications Lehti-Shiu, M.D., B.J. Adamczyk, and D.E. Fernandez (2005).? Expression of MADS-box genes during the embryonic phase in Arabidopsis.?? Plant Mol. Biol. 58: 89-107.? Sharkey, T.D., S.Yeh, A.E. Wiberley, T.G. Falbel, D. Gong, and D.E. Fernandez (2005). Evolution of the isoprene biosynthetic pathway in kudzu.? Plant Physiol. 137: 700-712.???? Harding, E.W., W. Tang, K.W. Nichols, D.E. Fernandez, and S.E. Perry (2003).? Expression and maintenance of embryogenic potential is enhanced through constitutive expression of AGAMOUS-Like 15.? Plant Physiol. 133: 653-663.? Fang, S-C., and D.E. Fernandez (2002).? Effect of regulated overexpression of the MADS domain factor AGL15 on flower senescence and fruit maturation.? Plant Physiol. 130: 78-89.? Pischke, M.S., L. G. Jones, D. Otsuga, D.E. Fernandez, G.N. Drews,
and M.R. Sussman (2002).? An Arabidopsis
histidine kinase is
essential for megagametogenesis.? Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
( Fernandez, D.E., G.R. Heck, S.E. Perry, S.E. Patterson, A.B. Bleecker, and S.-C. Fang (2000). The embryo MADS domain factor AGL15 acts post-embryonically: inhibition of perianth senescence and abscission via constitutive expression. The Plant Cell 12: 183-198. Perry, S.E., M.L. Lehti, and D.E. Fernandez (1999). The MADS-domain protein
AGAMOUS-Like 15 accumulates in embryonic tissues with diverse origins. Plant Physiol. 120: 121-129. Fernandez, D.E. (1997).
Developmental basis of homeosis in precociously
germinating Brassica napus
embryos: phase change at the shoot apex. Development 124: 1149-1157. Perry, S.E., K.W. Nichols,
and D.E. Fernandez (1996). The MADS domain protein AGL15 localizes to the
nucleus during early stages of seed development. The Plant Cell 8: 1977-1989. Heck, G. R., S. E. Perry, K.
W. Nichols, and D. E. Fernandez (1995). AGL15, a MADS domain protein
expressed in developing embryos. The Plant Cell 7: 1271-1282. Courses | Research Group | Additional Publications | COS Listing | Physiology Section | Botany Department ? 2006 University of |
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