Poster: Tropisms

Abs # 412: Fast and transient transcriptional regulation of gravitropism in A. thaliana root tips.

Presenter:	Kimbrough, Jeffery M., jmkimbro@unity.ncsu.edu
Authors	Kimbrough, Jeffery M. (A)   Ward, Nick W. (A)   Brown, Chris S. (A)   Winter Sederoff, Heike  (A)
Affiliations:	(A): NSCORT, Dept. Botany, North Carolina State University

Arabidopsis root tips perceive changes in the vector of gravity, which ultimately lead to a differential growth response. Here we report the first time course analysis of whole genome transcript changes throughout the first hour of gravitropic signal transduction in Arabidopsis root tips. Expression of functionally diverse genes are significantly regulated in response to gravity stimulation within less than two minutes. Our hypothesis is that these particular genes and their products, in both abundance and timing are responsible, at least in part, for establishing and propagating the essential early signaling events in the gravitropic response. Through functional characterization of these genes and their families we will better define the complex series of events required for plants to perceive and respond to gravity. (Supported by NASA: NAG2-1566)