Their expression patterns suggest that the first gene GA1 may serve as a gate keeper to control the flow of metabolites into the GA pathway, whereas the late genes are important for fine-tuning the amount of active GAs in specific tissues. To identify new components in the GA signaling pathway, we took a genetic approach and isolated the RGA gene which encodes a negative regulator of GA response in Arabidopsis. Several structural features in the RGA protein suggest that it may be a transcriptional regulator. Confocal microscopy and immunoblot analyses demonstrated that exogenous GA treatment resulted in a reduced level of the GFP-RGA protein. We are in the process of analyzing the function of the RGA protein in GA response.
Students participate in all aspects of the research projects.
Christy Fleet, a CMB student, is studying the regulation of GA biosynthesis. Site credits and contacts. Copyright 2000, Duke University. All rights reserved.