Cloning And Functional Characterization Of A New Potassium Transporter Gene From Creeping Bentgrass

John Collins

School Name

Governor's School for Science and Math

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Botany

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Dr. Luo; Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University

Abstract

Plants that are more resistant to abiotic stresses such as salinity can be achieved through manipulation of their DNA and could be advantageous in agriculture. Previous studies show that the gene, AsHAK5, derived from creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), appears to regulate the Na+ and K+ ion ratio in plants, contributing to salt tolerance. While the underlying mechanism is not entirely clear, AsHAK5 is part of the KP/HAK/KT transporter family that codes for both K+ ion channels and transporters. This particular gene supposedly codes for a K+ transporter that controls the uptake of K+ ions from the soil; this theory will be tested through cloning of the gene and manipulation of its expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The full length cDNA of the gene AsHAK5 from creeping bentgrass was sub-cloned into the binary vector PSBbarB-Ubi, to create an expression vector for AsHAK5 overexpression. The expression vector will be transformed into Agrobacterium for Arabidopsis infection by floral dip method to deliver the chimeric gene construct. Transgenic plants will be tested for the expression of the inserted gene and its impact on plant response to salt stress. Information obtained may help develop new strategy to genetically engineer crops for enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Location

Kinard 115

Start Date

4-16-2016 8:30 AM

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 8:30 AM

Cloning And Functional Characterization Of A New Potassium Transporter Gene From Creeping Bentgrass

Kinard 115

Plants that are more resistant to abiotic stresses such as salinity can be achieved through manipulation of their DNA and could be advantageous in agriculture. Previous studies show that the gene, AsHAK5, derived from creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), appears to regulate the Na+ and K+ ion ratio in plants, contributing to salt tolerance. While the underlying mechanism is not entirely clear, AsHAK5 is part of the KP/HAK/KT transporter family that codes for both K+ ion channels and transporters. This particular gene supposedly codes for a K+ transporter that controls the uptake of K+ ions from the soil; this theory will be tested through cloning of the gene and manipulation of its expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The full length cDNA of the gene AsHAK5 from creeping bentgrass was sub-cloned into the binary vector PSBbarB-Ubi, to create an expression vector for AsHAK5 overexpression. The expression vector will be transformed into Agrobacterium for Arabidopsis infection by floral dip method to deliver the chimeric gene construct. Transgenic plants will be tested for the expression of the inserted gene and its impact on plant response to salt stress. Information obtained may help develop new strategy to genetically engineer crops for enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses.