Identification of a Novel Gene in the Shade Avoidance Response in Plants

Abstract

Plants rely on light as their source of food and elicit a series of coordinated responses known as the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS) when faced with light challenge. These molecular and developmental responses include elongation of petioles, accelerated flowering, and decreased germination. Here we examine seven candidate genes in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana for their role in the SAS. We conducted qPCR in mutant lines lacking each of these genes to observe any alteration in expression of pathways including light perception, transcriptional regulation, plant growth, and immune response. Preliminary results indicate that At1g677960, a gene of previously unknown function, may play a role in the SAS. Loss of this gene leads to impaired induction of shade avoidance genes and plants fail to show increased petiole length under shade conditions. Mutants are still able to induce early flowering, suggesting that this novel gene is required in the shade avoidance response but may act downstream or in parallel to the primary response. Further investigation of the role of At1g677960 will allow us to better understand the molecular mechanics of shade avoidance, and potentially offer insight into improving the success of vital crop species.Support or Funding InformationResearch reported here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20GM103449. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIGMS or NIH.