Functional Characterization Of A Newly Identified Nicotiana Tabacum Sulfate Transporter Gene NtaSULTR2 Involved In Sulfate Transport And Distribution
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Botany
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Sulfur, one of six macronutrients required by plants, is the rudimental component of cysteine, methionine and sulfolipid. It also serves as the active center of many enzymes. In soil, inorganic sulfate (SO42-) is the most common sulfur source for plants. Over the past twenty years, sulfate transporters involved in sulfate uptake and distribution have been well studied in plants. Fourteen sulfate transporter genes, classified into five groups, were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. To date, twelve sulfate transporter genes have been identified in rice, Oryza sativa. However, only one sulfate transporter gene, NtaSULTR2 has been identified and cloned in tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum. NtaSULTR2 is regulated by a sulfate responding micro-RNA, with repression of NtaSULTR2 expression in transgenic tobacco leading to impaired sulfate homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to functionally characterize the gene NtaSULTR2. A micro-RNA resistant NtaSULTR2 cDNA, rNtaSULTR2 was created using a site-directed mutagenesis method. rNtaSULTR2 was ligated into the plasmid pHL721 in order to overexpress the cDNA. rNtaSULTR2 was also ligated into the plasmid pHL722 for RNA-interference, repressing NtaSULTR2. These two vectors were then transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 by electroporation. They will be transformed into tobacco using the leaf disc transformation method. This experiment could help solve issues with soil having decreasing sulfur levels by allowing the tobacco to have a higher uptake of sulfur.
Recommended Citation
Herbert, Adam, "Functional Characterization Of A Newly Identified Nicotiana Tabacum Sulfate Transporter Gene NtaSULTR2 Involved In Sulfate Transport And Distribution" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 57.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/57
Start Date
4-11-2015 11:00 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 11:15 AM
Functional Characterization Of A Newly Identified Nicotiana Tabacum Sulfate Transporter Gene NtaSULTR2 Involved In Sulfate Transport And Distribution
Sulfur, one of six macronutrients required by plants, is the rudimental component of cysteine, methionine and sulfolipid. It also serves as the active center of many enzymes. In soil, inorganic sulfate (SO42-) is the most common sulfur source for plants. Over the past twenty years, sulfate transporters involved in sulfate uptake and distribution have been well studied in plants. Fourteen sulfate transporter genes, classified into five groups, were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. To date, twelve sulfate transporter genes have been identified in rice, Oryza sativa. However, only one sulfate transporter gene, NtaSULTR2 has been identified and cloned in tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum. NtaSULTR2 is regulated by a sulfate responding micro-RNA, with repression of NtaSULTR2 expression in transgenic tobacco leading to impaired sulfate homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to functionally characterize the gene NtaSULTR2. A micro-RNA resistant NtaSULTR2 cDNA, rNtaSULTR2 was created using a site-directed mutagenesis method. rNtaSULTR2 was ligated into the plasmid pHL721 in order to overexpress the cDNA. rNtaSULTR2 was also ligated into the plasmid pHL722 for RNA-interference, repressing NtaSULTR2. These two vectors were then transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 by electroporation. They will be transformed into tobacco using the leaf disc transformation method. This experiment could help solve issues with soil having decreasing sulfur levels by allowing the tobacco to have a higher uptake of sulfur.
Mentor
Mentor: Hong Luo, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University