Characterization and regulation of the early nodulin gene rip1 in Medicago truncatula /

Primary induction of the Rhizobium-induced peroxidase gene

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Peng, Hui-Mei
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1997.
Subjects:
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Description
Summary:Primary induction of the Rhizobium-induced peroxidase gene
rip1 occurs prior to infection and nodule morphogenesis in
Medicago truncatula (Cook et al., 1995) and expression of
rip1 in root tips is correlated with competence of this zone
for modulation (Peng et al., 1996). rip1 transcripts are
characterized by a single major transcription initiation
site, three exons, two introns and multiple polyadenylation
sites distributed within 200 to 400 bp of the proposed
translation stop site. By means of Southern blot analysis,
we determined that sequences within the rip1 promoter are
highly methylated in DNA from both leaves and roots.
Coincident with the region of DNA methylation, we identified
a 377-bp transposon-like (TL) element that is widely
distributed in the M. truncatula genome. Characterization of
five closely related M. truncatula TL elements revealed that
the inverted terminal repeats of these elements are highly
conserved, while limited homology was evident within the
intervening region. The structure of these elements is
reminiscent of retrotransposons because they contain sequence
homology to proteins typically encoded by retrotransposons or
retroviruses such as the gag, pol and env genes. Transient
assay of rip1-reporter gene fusions by biolistic bombardment
revealed regulatory effects of both 5' and 3' flanking
sequences. Complete deletion of the rip1 TL-element resulted
in a 2-fold increase in expression of reporter genes, while
partial deletion of the 3' inverted terminal repeat caused
decreased levels of reporter gene activity. These results
suggest that the rip1 TL element may play a role in
regulating rip1 expression. The rip1 3' untranslated region
(UTR) was shown to exert negative effect on reporter gene
expression relative to the CaMV 35S 3' region. Suspected
negative cis-regulatory elements (i.e. putative message
instability elements) were identified within the rip1 3'UTR,
however, transient assay of site-directed mutants was unable
to identify a role for these sequence motifs in rip1
regulation.
Item Description:Vita.
"Major Subject: Plant Pathology".
Physical Description:x, 175 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references: pages 156-173.