Degree Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2009
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Genetics, Development and Cell Biology
First Advisor
Philip Becraft
Abstract
An anaerobic or hypoxic environment surrounding the plant seed or embryo is thought to be a crucial factor in controlling maturation and the germination transition. In this thesis, we find a relationship between anaerobically induced germination arrest and the Viviparous1 (Vp1) gene, which is a central transcription factor in the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone signaling pathway in seeds. The loss-of-function mutant and semi-quantitative RT-PCR results both demonstrate a role of Vp1 in the anaerobic inhibition of germination. This pathway appears to be ABA-independent because an ABA-deficient mutant and an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis both fail to release embryos from repression. Gibberellin (GA)'s ability to reverse the germination inhibition imposed by anaerobiosis indicates an interaction of this hormone with oxygen and Vp1. This paper provides new ideas on the physiological control of one of the most complicated programs in plant development: the transition between maturation and germination.
Copyright Owner
Lixun Su
Copyright Date
2009
Language
en
Date Available
2012-04-29
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
48 pages
Recommended Citation
Su, Lixun, "The role of the Viviparous1 (Vp1) gene in anaerobic inhibition of maize embryo germination" (2009). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 10529.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/10529
