The regulation of leaf size in maize (Zea mays): A multidisciplinary investigation of mutants with increased leaf size.

In a recent screen of segregating mutant lines in the field, our laboratory identified 35 maize mutants with an increased leaf size. I have confirmed 5 of these with the strongest phenotype under controlled growth room conditions. Unlike other model species the maize leaf growth zone is large enough to harvest samples across the gradient of dividing, expanding and mature cells for a wide range of molecular and physiological analyses. Therefore these mutants provide a unique opportunity to generate new insights into the mechanisms by which plants regulate organ growth. The objective of this project is to mechanistically understand the phenotype of 3 of these mutants by: -Mapping the mutation that causes the longleaf phenotype. To validate whether the identified mutations indeed cause the observed longleaf phenotype we will select/create independent lines with a mutation in the same gene. -Perform genome-wide transcriptome analysis to identify which genes and pathways are affected by the mutation. -Determine the cellular basis (cell division and expansion) of the phenotype and study the effect of the mutation on other parts of the plant. -Perform physiological, metabolite and enzyme measurements focusing on specific regulatory pathways identified by the above analyses. The obtained results will give us a more integrated understanding of the key regulatory processes in leaf growth and size determination.

Keywords:ZEA MAYS L.

Disciplines:Plant biology

Project type:Collaboration project