Date of Award

5-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Biological Sciences

Department

Biological Sciences

Major Professor

Triplett, Barbara A.

Second Advisor

Timpte, Candace

Third Advisor

Kim, Hee Jin

Fourth Advisor

Clancy, Mary

Abstract

Rop/Rac proteins are plant-specific monomeric guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins (G-proteins) with important functions in plant development. Until recently, only three cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Rop/Rac G-protein genes were sequenced, representing subfamilies III and IV of the plant monomeric Gprotein family. In this project, members of subfamilies II and I were cloned, sequenced, and named GhRac2 and GhRac3, respectively. Using real-time reverse transcription PCR, expression of GhRac2 was highest during fiber elongation, decreasing significantly when cellulose biosynthesis began. Transcript abundance of GhRac3 doubled between fiber elongation and secondary wall synthesis, remaining constant until 20 days post-anthesis. Expression of GhRac2 and GhRac3 was compared between the unfertilized ovules of Gossypium hirsutum, Texas Marker 1 and two near-isogenic fiber-impaired mutants. Expression of GhRac2 and GhRac3 was significantly higher in wild type ovules than in Ligon lintless, a mutant impaired in fiber elongation, but was not different in Naked Seed, a mutant impaired in fiber initiation.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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