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Self-incompatibility in Papaver rhoeas: functional characterisation of the pollen S-linked gene STM1

Reference	BB/C501325/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Chris Franklin
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Vernonica E. (Noni) Franklin-Tong, Professor Dale Sanders
Institution	University of Birmingham
Department	Sch of Biosciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	259,868
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/03/2005
End date	30/06/2008
Duration	40 months

Abstract

We propose to analyse the function of STM1, a recently identified gene that is an excellent candidate for the pollen S gene from Papaver rhoeas. Current evidence indicates that STM1 is a receptor that interacts in an S allele dependent manner with the stigmatic S proteins. Structure predictions and homology searches suggest that STM1 may function as an ion translocating channel. If so, this would be consistent with our previous studies that demonstrate that the SI response in poppy is mediated by a rapid influx of calcium ions. Initially we will use immunolocalisation approaches to confirm the membrane location of STM1. We propose to investigate the ion translocation activity of STM1 using in vivo calcium imaging with aequorin and cameleon constructs and in more detail using electrophysiology techniques. The calcium imaging will be carried out using transient expression of the calcium reporter genes in pollen tubes and protoplasts. In addition parallel studies will be conducted in stable transformed plant lines. Preliminary studies have identified a 35 amino acid segment of STM1 that is crucial for interaction with the S1 stigma protein. We aim to define the key residues within this region using an approach based on epitope mapping and side-directed mutagenesis of STM1.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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