“Mutation in reproductive organs of Maize (Zeamays) caused by gene expression of Ethylene Response Factor (ERF)”

Professor Sarah Hake

Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

From a genetic mutation, we can figure out the function of a

particular gene expression by observing the phenotype. Ethylene Response Factors (ERFs) are transcriptional regulators—required proteins, which bind to specific DNA sequence to initiate transcription of genes. ERF genes 4a, 4b, 15a and 15b are duplicated twice so that there are 4 copies of each, and two genes are expressed more strongly in female reproductive organ (ears) and two in male reproductive organ (tassels). If the plant has mutation in just two genes, there is no obvious phenotype. In this experiment, we hypothesize that we will find a phenotype in tassel or ear if all 4 genes are mutated. The genotyping process involves DNA extraction of young maize leaf tissue, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that amplifies the number of copies of certain DNA sequence using specific primers and nucleotides, and Gel Electrophoresis which separate the DNA sizes into visible bands. Once we find out the individuals that are mutated in all 4 genes, their phenotype will be observe when the plant is fully grown.

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Yadanar is currently attending City College of San Francisco and hopes to transfer to UC Berkeley and major in Genetics and Plant Biology. After obtaining a B.S. degree, she intends to pursue her interest in Plant Biology and obtain a PhD. She is a first generation college student.