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| Author(s): |
Maíra Nogueira de Almeida
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Campinas, SP. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia |
| Defense date: | 2015-03-31 |
| Examining board members: |
Marcelo Carnier Dornelas;
Adriana Pinheiro Martinelli;
Claudia Regina Baptista Haddad
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| Advisor: | Marcelo Carnier Dornelas |
| Abstract | |
The TCP family of transcription factors is widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and since its first description in 1999, new discoveries have shown its importance in evolution and control of plant development. Among the known functions of TCP genes are: the control of apical dominance and symmetry of organs as well as the curvature of leaf surface and senescence. The aims of this study were: to characterize TCP5 gene function in Arabidopsis thaliana floral development, through the study of its expression pattern and morphological characterization of transgenic plants with differential expression of the gene. RT-PCR analysis revealed the presence of TCP5 mRNA in inflorescences, suggesting a possible role in flower development. Spatial and temporal pattern of expression of TCP5 was analyzed by in situ hybridization. Transcripts are located in inflorescence meristem and floral meristems, and preferably in the apical region of the floral organ primordia. Studies with transgenic plants overexpressing TCP5 in the epidermis (pATML1:TCP5 construction) revealed longer petals than the wild-type. Still, the analysis of these transgenic lines by scanning electron microscopy revealed malformations in the gynoecium and ectopic germination of pollen grains. Overexpression of an artificial microRNA that turns off the expression of TCP5-like clade genes (TCP5, TCP13 and TCP17) in 35S:miR-TCP plants showed bigger sepals, petals and carpels than the wild type. Together, these results support the hypothesis that TCP5 gene operates in the mechanisms of floral organ maturation, determining size and shape through the regulation of cell proliferation and expansion processes (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 12/23385-2 - Characterization of the role of TCP5 in the floral development of Arabidopsis thaliana |
| Grantee: | Maíra Nogueira de Almeida |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |