| Abstract Detail
Genetics Section Lakhanpaul, Suman [1], Vibhuti , Singh [2], Sachin, Kumar [2]. Understanding plant development from a new teacher-Phytoplasma, a bacterial pathogen causing genetic reprogramming in plants. Use of genetic screens and the genetic manipulation of gene functions have immensely helped in understanding the molecular basis of plant development in the past two decades. However, natural or induced mutants in the forward as well as reverse genetic approaches used, essentially involve DNA sequence level changes in the gene/s of interest to varying extents. The peculiar symptoms produced by bacterial pathogen Phytoplasma in several phenotypic traits such as conversion of flower and its whorls to leaves, flattening of stem, reversion of extra floral nectarines to flowers etc. offer a unique opportunity to understand the genes and the regulatory pathways controlling plant development without altering them at the sequence level. Phytoplasma, the wall-less bacteria having highly reduced AT rich genome evolved from Acholeplasma like organisms through reductive evolution are transmitted by sap sucking insects. Due to their sieve tube limited niche in the plants, the reprogramming of the development patterns caused by the altered activities of mesristmatic cells is likely to be mediated by effector molecules of bacterial origin. Detection and characterization of the target genomic regions of these effector molecules and the downstream interactions in the host plant are useful in understanding their role in genetic control of the altered phenotype produced. An array of peculiar phenotypes such as phyllody, fasciation, virescence, witches broom, little leaf etc. are produced by Phytoplasma in an oil yielding plant sesame, ( Sesamum indicum L.). These developmental alterations along with indeterminate habit, high susceptibility to Phytoplasma and short life- cycle of sesame make it a model system for understanding plant development using phytoplasma. Anatomical, physiological and molecular changes in sesame showing altered phenotypic traits caused by Phytoplasma were investigated. Our findings highlighting the aspects of flower and leaf development in sesame in particular and plants in general will be presented and discussed. Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - University Of Delhi, India 2 - University of Delhi, Botany, Delhi, Delhi, 110007, INDIA
Keywords: Plant development Phytoplasma Sesame.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections Session: 22 Location: Rapids/Grove Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 Time: 11:30 AM Number: 22010 Abstract ID:285 Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award |