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Molecular analysis of the natural variation in vernalization response of Arabidopsis accessions

Objective

The model plant A. thaliana shows a wide range of genetic and phenotypic variation among natural accessions. Notably, adaptation of flowering time to specific environmental conditions is essential for reproductive success. This proposal will use our knowledge of the molecular basis of vernalization to uncover how Arabidopsis thaliana accessions have adapted to their environment. Analysis of flowering time and vernalization in Arabidopsis accessions provides a unique opportunity to link mechanistic understanding of a complex trait with an understanding of the fitness consequences of different alleles and their distribution within the population. The specific aims of this project will be 1) to fully define the molecular variation at FLC and linked genes underpinning the natural variation in accessions selected to represent a wide range of vernalization responses and 2) use the different accessions as a pool of “natural mutants” to gain a better understanding of the basis of FLC regulation during vernalization. We will first confirm that FLC cis-elements are involved in this variation by a complementation analysis, followed by mix and match experiments to determine which region contains the cis-regulatory elements that account for the variation. We will also analyse the epigenetic changes at the FLC locus which result from the polymorphisms in the cis-elements, as well as the role of other chromosome 5 candidates identified in a QTL analysis for the variation in vernalization response. In parallel, we will characterize important cis-elements in FLC required to initiate and maintain FLC repression during and after vernalization. We will then pick natural variants with polymorphisms in these cis-elements. Dissecting the molecular basis of adaptation is a major goal in evolutionary genetics and the results from this study are likely to provide important insights into adaptation relevant to many biological systems.

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

JOHN INNES CENTRE
EU contribution
€ 168 256,91
Address
NORWICH RESEARCH PARK COLNEY
NR4 7UH Norwich
United Kingdom

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Region
East of England East Anglia Breckland and South Norfolk
Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Mary Anderson (Dr.)
Links
Total cost
No data