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Mechanisms underlying epigenetic gene silencing in maize
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Schafer, David Gerald (2013) Mechanisms underlying epigenetic gene silencing in maize. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2723117~S1
Abstract
Higher organisms can regulate gene expression through changes in epigenetic marks present on the
genome. However, how this regulation takes place in organisms with highly repetitive/complex
genomes is not well understood.
The acquisition of de novo DNA methylation in plants is mediated by siRNAs through the RNAdirected
DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway. The targeted deposition of DNA methylation by
this pathway allows for the transcriptional silencing of transposable elements and repeat sequences
within the genome, as well as regulating gene expression. In addition, it has been hypothesized
that mobile siRNAs may be involved in the epigenetic communication between different seed components.
Thus the mobility of non-coding RNAs from extra-embryonic tissues could contribute to
epigenetic modifications that could be transmitted to the offspring.
The aim of my thesis is to characterise the mechanisms involved in epigenetic gene silencing in
maize through the use of a novel transgenic reporter. My work has identified components of the
RdDM pathway to be involved in maintenance of gene silencing and show that imprinting and
paramutation could be recapitulated using synthetic transgenes. In addition, I developed a novel
grafting technique to demonstrate that epigenetic gene silencing could be efficiently transmitted
between different seed components.
Collectively, this work provides an insight into the complex mechanisms that regulate gene expression
in the highly repetitive/complex genome of maize.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics Q Science > QK Botany |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Plant gene silencing, Corn -- Genetics, DNA -- Methylation, Epigenetics | ||||
Official Date: | May 2013 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | School of Life Sciences | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Gutierrez-Marcos, Jose | ||||
Extent: | xviii, 211 leaves : illustrations, charts. | ||||
Language: | eng |
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