Thesis--Leyden. / In Periodical Room.

Alba family proteins are highly conserved in all domains of life. They are involved in RNA metabolism in Archae and Eucarya, while they are involved in the chromatin organisation in Crenarchaea. In animals, ALBA proteins were identified to associate with RNase P/MRP subunits. The objective of my thesis was the characterization of ALBA family proteins in a model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The Arabidopsis genome contains six genes with close homology, three from Rpp20-like subfamily and three of Rpp25-like subfamily. Here I present the localization of GFP-fused proteins in Arabidopsis stable lines harbouring constructs cloned by Gateway® Technology. ALBA proteins were localized in the cytoplasm and undefined particles in root differentiation zone and in mature pollen. The characterization of the respective T-DNA insertion lines did not reveal significant phenotype defects in growth and development of sporophyte and gametophyte in comparison to Columbia-0 plants, probably because of likely functional redundancy od the paralogs. Expression profiles and localization of ALBA proteins suggest their possible role in differentiation and dehydration stress response in Oryza. They were also observed to associate with repressed mRNA transcripts in storage EPP particles. Collectively, I propose the likely role...

The final step of secretion termed exocytosis is mediated by the exocyst complex. The exocyst is an evolutionary conserved protein complex that tethers secretory vesicle to the target membrane and consists of eight subunits: Sec3, Sec5, Sec6, Sec8, Sec10, Sec15, Exo84, and Exo70. Sec15 exocyst subunit was previously shown to connect the rest of the exocyst complex with a secretory vesicle in yeast, mammals and fruit fly via interaction with Rab GTPase and GEF of Rab GTPase. Here, I show that plant SEC15B potentially functions in evolutionary conserved manner. First, two mutant lines of Arabidopsis thaliana sec15b mutant were tested in characteristics typical for other exocyst mutants. Although some characteristics reach certain level of plasticity, both sec15b-1 and sec15b-2 show similar tendencies, which are mostly consistent with defects with other mutants in exocyst subunits. sec15b-1 has been determined as a stronger allele that is defective in formation of seed coat, elongation of etiolated hypocotyl, growth of stem and primary root, establishment of axillary branches and lateral roots, diameter of rosette and, unexpectedly, growth of pollen tubes. Phenotype of sec15b-1 was rescued by insertion of SEC15B gene under SEC15B promotor. Second, complementation test showed that SEC15B and SEC15A are...

The diploid woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a rapidly developing translational model for members of the family Rosaceae and other plants. This thesis represents some of the first forward genetics studies evaluating putative T-DNA insertional mutants in F. vesca. The observed phenotypes include alterations to floral development, anthocyanin pigmentation and leaf structure. The floral development mutant named green petal (gp) was not associated with the T-DNA insertions present. Based on similar phenotypes induced by mutation of transcription factors involved in floral development of Arabidopsis thaliana, we used a BLAST search of the F. vesca genome hybrid gene models to identify 30 candidate genes that may have caused the gp phenotype. Expression analysis of these genes revealed that it was due to a 37 bp deletion in a SEPALLATA3-like E-Class MADS box transcription factor. This mutation altered organ structure in the three inner whorls of the flower, affecting fertility and fruit development. The deletion was demonstrated to segregate with the mutant phenotype in a segregating population of 92 individuals, 22 of which had green petals. The anthocyanin biosynthesis mutant named white runner (wr) lacked red pigmentation in the stems and runners. The T-DNA insertion in this line was located in a highly repetitive LTR retrotransposon region, which complicated analysis. Segregation analysis of the wr lines revealed that the phenotype was unassociated with the T-DNA insertion as well. We used a targeted expression analysis of three critical structural genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway that revealed a 20 bp deletion in the gene encoding flavanone 3-hydroxylase, an enzyme necessary for the production of flavonols, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. In an F2 segregating population, this deletion co-segregated with the phenotype. The third mutant line presented here displayed a curly leaf (cl) phenotype and was found to harbor a T-DNA insertion in a gene encoding a putative erythroblast macrophage attacher protein (EMP). Sequence and protein domain analysis indicated that FvEMP was related to the mammalian EMP protein that functions in cytoskeletal dynamics and red blood cell enucleation. Complementation analysis confirmed that introduction of the wild type FvEMP gene into the cl mutant plants restored wild type leaf phenotype. Further morphological analysis revealed additional pleiotropic effects of the mutation, including abnormalities in seed set and germination, pollen tube growth, adhesion of the abaxial epidermal layer to the mesophyll layer and reduced petiolule length. These phenotypes are consistent with actin binding and microtubule associated protein mutants in other plant species. Insertional mutagenesis is a critical molecular tool for model crop development. These studies highlight the precautions that must be taken when evaluating insertional mutants. These mutants are excellent tools for studying their respective disrupted gene function. The in depth molecular analysis of the mutants presented in this work was only possible because of the availability of the Fragaria vesca genome which was used extensively to identify T-DNA insertion sites and recover candidate gene sequences for expression analysis. / Ph. D.

Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an octoploid (2n=8x=56) species that belongs to the Rosaceae family and the high ploidy level makes genetic and molecular studies difficult. However, its commercial success because of its unique flavor and nutritious qualities has increased interest in the development of genomic resources. Fragaria vesca L. is a diploid (2n=2x=14) species with a small genome size (206 Mbp), short reproductive cycle, and facile vegetative and seed propagation that make it an attractive model for genomic studies. The availability of an efficient transformation methodology for Fragaria vesca has facilitated the use of a T-DNA mutagenesis system to develop a collection of several hundred insertional T-DNA mutants at Virginia Tech, using either of two commercially available vectors, pCAMBIA 1302 and 1304. In this study, we have used expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a tool to identify homozygous mutant lines. Three different approaches were conducted, first we identified 11 homozygous lines by PCR, then another 55 homozygous lines by absence of segregation of GFP expression in T2 seedlings, and finally we attempted to distinguish homozygous from hemizygous lines by relative GFP expression measured using a commercially available GFP meter. The latter methodology was unsuccessful due to uncontrolled variability in the readings. Continuing the characterization of our mutant population, we used thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (TAIL-PCR) to obtain the nucleotide sequence of the genomic DNA regions that flank the T-DNA insertion sites in independent transgenic strawberry lines. Primers were designed that would amplify the derived strawberry flanking sequences in the two parents of an interspecific mapping population between the two diploid species, F. vesca x F. bucharica. The amplified products were sequenced and examined for the occurrence of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). The same primers were then used on the F2 mapping population. Segregation of SNP markers with previously mapped genetic markers allowed us to position 74 SNP markers, and hence their corresponding insertional mutants, on a well-populated genetic linkage map for the diploid strawberry. Finally, we analyzed the insertion site from more than 190 mutants looking at both the right and left borders of the T-DNA where microsimilarities of a few base pairs between ends of T-DNA and genomic DNA were observed, indicating that T-DNA integration had not occurred randomly in strawberry. We have also characterized the insertion sites through gene annotation found in the strawberry genome database. / Ph. D.

In the presented work the relationship between transcription factors and male gametophyte development was studied. The Ph.D. Thesis covers selection of candidate genes, wide-scale screening of T-DNA mutant lines and detailed analysis of a selected transcription factor on pollen development.

No description available.

Oxygenic photosynthesis is the major producer of both oxygen and organic compounds on earth and takes place in plants, green algae and cyanobacteria. The thylakoid membranes are the site of the photosynthetic light reactions that involve the concerted action of four major protein complexes known as photosystem II (PSII), cytochrome b6f complex, ATP synthase and photosystem I (PSI). The function of PSII is of particular interest as it performs the light–driven water splitting reaction driving the photosynthetic electron transport. My thesis addressed different aspects of PSII assembly and the functions of its low molecular weight PSII subunits PsbX and PsbW. Photosynthesis in green algae and higher plants is controlled by the nucleus. Many proteins of nuclear origin participate in the regulation of the efficient assembly of the photosynthetic protein complexes. In this investigation we have identified one of these nuclear encoded auxiliary proteins of photosystem II, REP27, which participates in the assembly of the D1 reaction center protein and repair of photodamaged PSII in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Interestingly, PSII is specially enriched in Low Molecular Weight (LMW) subunits that have masses less than 10kDa. These proteins account for more than the half of the PSII subunits. Several questions remains poorly understood regarding the LMW: Which is their evolutionary origin? What function do they perform in the protein complex? Where are they located in the protein structure? In this investigation the functions of two of these LMW subunits (PsbX and PsbW) have been studied using antisense inhibition and T-DNA knockout mutant plants in Arabidopsis thaliana. Deficiency of the PsbX protein leads to impaired accumulation and functionality of PSII. Characterization of PsbW knock-out plants show that PsbW participates in stabilization of the macro-organization of PSII and the peripheral antenna (Light Harvesting Complex, LHCII) in the grana stacks of the chloroplast, also known as PSII-LHCII supercomplexes.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

[EN] In order to identify the genes controlling developmental traits and abiotic stress tolerance in tomtato, our laboratory is performing an insertion mutagenesis program, in collaboration with the groups of Dr. Rafael Lozano (Almería University) and Dr. Mª Carmen Bolarín (CEBAS-Murcia). This PhD thesis is part of our insertion mutagenesis program and aims to keep deepening in the genetic dissection of relevant traits from an agronomic perspective using the generation and characterization of tomato T-DNA lines. With the goal of increasing the collection of tomato T-DNA lines previously generated in our group, we generated 974 new T-DNA lines. This collection of tomato T-DNA lines was evaluated in the greenhouse in order to detect dominant or semi-dominant mutants altered in vegetative and/or reproductive traits. In particular we paid special attention to mutants with changes in fruit set, since the altered genes in those mutants could play a role in the yield of tomato cultivars. The transition from ovary to a developing fruit (i.e. fruit set), occurs once the flower has reached the anthesis stage, and depends on the pollination and fecundation. However, the fruit development can also happen independently of pollination through a process named parthenocarpy. It is known that the growth regulators, mainly auxins and gibberellins, are involved in both kinds of fruit set processes. Even so, the genetic mechanisms that trigger the transition from ovary to fruit remain largely unknown. Accordingly, tomato mutants can be a valuable tool to shed light on the molecular and genetic basis that promote pollination-dependent or independent fruit set processes. Given the enormous interest raised by parthenocarpy, the work carried out in the context of this PhD thesis has been mainly focused on several seedless fruits mutants. The characterization of those mutants revealed alterations in vegetative plant development (e.g. leaf architecture) and/or reproductive development (e.g. fruit morphology) have been observed, suggesting that changes in endogenous levels of growth regulators (e.g. auxins and gibberellins) are closely related to the parthenocarpic fruit development. According to the histological analysis, most of the mutants showed cytological androsterility, and part of them also displayed deficiencies during the pollen sacs formation, a trait also related to parthenocarpic fruit development. Furthermore, it has been observed an increased fruit set rate in some parthenocarpic mutants leading to a higher fruit production per plant. Some mutants displayed a tight correlation between the alteration in floral whorls or fruit tissues and the expression of the GUS reporter gene included in the T-DNA, suggesting that the gen responsible of the mutant phenotype could be tagged by a T-DNA insert. Finally, the phenotypic, genetic and molecular characterization of the back-cross progeny of the Tom24 mutant suggests that this phenotype could be a consequence of a T-DNA insert which is not transmitted to the offspring due to a lethal effect in both types of gametes (male and female). / [ES] Con el fin de identificar genes que controlan caracteres del desarrollo y tolerancia a estrés abiótico, estamos abordando un programa de mutagénesis insercional en colaboración con los grupos del Dr. Lozano (Universidad de Almería) y la Dra. Bolarín (CEBAS-Murcia). Esta Tesis Doctoral se enmarca en el contexto de este programa de mutagénesis insercional y tiene como objetivo central seguir profundizando en la disección genética de caracteres relevantes desde un punto de vista agronómico a través de la generación y caracterización de líneas T-DNA de tomate. Con el objetivo de ampliar la colección que previamente se ha generado en nuestro grupo, se han obtenido 974 líneas T-DNA de tomate y se ha llevado a cabo la evaluación de estas líneas a fin de detectar mutantes dominantes o semidominantes afectados en caracteres vegetativos y/o reproductivos. En particular, la identificación de mutantes con cambios en el cuajado y desarrollo del fruto tiene una enorme relevancia a nivel agronómico dado que los genes alterados en estos mutantes intervienen sobre caracteres que contribuyen a la producción de un cultivar. El proceso de cuajado, es decir, la transición desde el ovario a un fruto en desarrollo, ocurre una vez la flor alcanza el estadio de antesis, y depende del éxito de la polinización y de la fecundación. No obstante, el desarrollo del fruto puede ser independiente de la polinización a través de un proceso denominado partenocarpia. En ambos procesos de cuajado, dependiente e independiente de polinización, están implicadas señales hormonales, especialmente auxinas y giberelinas (GAs). Aún así, la base genética de los mecanismos que desencadenan la transición del ovario a fruto es en gran medida desconocida. En este sentido, la disponibilidad de mutantes de tomate puede ser una herramienta muy valiosa para avanzar en el conocimiento de las bases moleculares y genéticas que promueven el cuajado del fruto dependiente e independiente de polinización. Habida cuenta del interés que suscita la partenocarpia, el trabajo realizado en el contexto de esta Tesis Doctoral se ha centrado en una serie de mutantes que desarrollan frutos sin semillas. La caracterización de estos mutantes ha permitido observar alteraciones en el desarrollo vegetativo (e.g. arquitectura foliar) y/o reproductivo (e.g. morfología del fruto) que sugieren cambios en los niveles endógenos de hormonas (e.g. auxinas y giberelinas) estrechamente vinculadas al desarrollo partenocápico del fruto. El análisis histológico ha indicado que la mayor parte de los mutantes exhiben androesterilidad citológica, y algunos también muestran alteraciones en la formación de los sacos polínicos o el desarrollo de la antera, un carácter que también está vinculado al desarrollo partenocápico del fruto. Por otro lado, se ha comprobado que la mayor tasa de cuajado de algunos mutantes partenocárpicos promueve una mayor producción por planta. En algunos mutantes se ha observado una estrecha relación entre la expresión del delator y la mutación, es decir, la actividad GUS se detecta en los órganos afectados, lo que sugiere que el gen responsable del fenotipo mutante se encuentra etiquetado por un T-DNA. Por último, la caracterización fenotípica, genética y molecular de plantas de la progenie de retrocruce del mutante Tom24 sugiere que el fenotipo se debe a un inserto de T-DNA que no se transmite a la descendencia debido a que provoca letalidad en ambos tipos de gametos (masculinos y femeninos). / [CAT] Pel tal d'identificar els gens que controlen caràcters del desenvolupament i tolerància a estrès abiòtic, estem abordant un programa de mutagènesi insercional en col·laboració amb els grups del Dr. Lozano (Universidad de Almería) y la Dra. Bolarín (CEBAS-Murcia). Aquesta Tesi Doctoral s'emmarca en el context d'aquest programa de mutagènesi insercional y té l'objectiu central seguir profunditzant en la dissecció genètica de caràcters rellevants des d'un punt de vista agronòmic a través de la generació y caracterització de línies T-DNA de tomaca. Amb l'objectiu d'ampliar la col·lecció que prèviament s'ha generada en el nostre grup, s'han obtingut 974 línies T-DNA de tomaca y s'ha dut a terme l'avaluació d'aquestes línies amb la finalitat de detectar mutants dominants o semidominants afectats en caràcters vegetatius i/o reproductius. En particular, la identificació de mutants amb canvis en el quallat i desenvolupament del fruit té una enorme rellevància a nivell agronòmic atès que els gens alterats en aquests mutants intervenen sobre caràcters que contribueixen a la producció de un cultivar. El procés del quallat, és a dir, la transició des de l'ovari a un fruit en desenvolupament, passa una vegada la flor arriba a l'estadi d'antesi, y depèn de l'èxit de la pol·linització i de la fecundació. No obstant, el desenvolupament del fruit pot ser independent de la pol·linització a través d'un procés denominat partenocàrpia. En ambos processos de quallat, dependent o independent de pol·linització, estan implicats senyals hormonals, especialment auxines i gibberel·lines (GAs). Tot i així, la base genètica dels mecanismes que desencadenen la transició de l'ovari al fruit és en gran mesura desconeguda. En aquest sentit, la disponibilitat de mutants de tomaca pot ser una eina molt valuosa per a avançar en el coneixement de les bases moleculars y genètiques que promouen el quallat del fruit depenent o independent de pol·linització. Tenint en compte de l'interès que suscita la partenocàrpia, el treball realitzat en el context d'aquesta Tesi Doctoral s'ha centrat en una sèrie de mutants que desenvolupen fruits sense llavors. La caracterització d'aquests mutants ha permès observar alteracions en el desenvolupament vegetatiu (e.g. arquitectura foliar) i/o reproductiu (e.g. morfologia del fruit) que suggereixen canvis en els nivells endògens d'hormones (e.g. auxines i gibberel·lines) estretament vinculades al desenvolupament partenocàrpic del fruit. L'anàlisi histològic ha indicat que la major part del mutants exhibeixen androesterilitat citològica, i alguns també mostren alteracions en la formació del sacs pol·linics o el desenvolupament de l'antera, un caràcter que també està vinculat amb es desenvolupament partenocàrpic del fruit. D'altra banda, s'ha comprovat que la major taxa de quallat d'alguns mutants partenocàrpics promou una major producció per planta. En alguns mutants s'ha observat una estreta relació entre l'expressió del delator i la mutació, és a dir, l'activitat GUS es detecta en els òrgans afectats. Això suggereix que el gen responsable del fenotip mutant està etiquetat per un T-DNA. Per últim, la caracterització fenotípica, genètica i molecular de plantes de la progènie de retro-encreuament del mutant Tom24 suggereix que el fenotip és causa de un insert T-DNA que no es transmet a la descendència pel fet que provoca letalitat en ambos tipus de gàmetes (masculins y femenins). / Goergen, G. (2016). Generación de líneas T-DNA de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.), identificación de mutantes de inserción afectados en caracteres del desarrollo y caracterización de mutantes de fruto partenocárpico [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/62360 / TESIS