An undergraduate study of two transcription factors that promote lateral root formation

• Published in: Biochemistry and molecular biology education Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 237 - 245
• Main Authors: Bargmann, Bastiaan O. R., Birnbaum, Kenneth D., Brenner, Eric D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley-Blackwell 01.05.2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Arabidopsis - growth & development; Arabidopsis - physiology; Biochemistry; College Science; Education; gene expression; Genetics; Laboratory Experiments; Molecular Biology; plant biochemistry; Plant growth; Plant Roots - growth & development; Science education; Science Experiments; Science Instruction; Science Laboratories; Scientific Concepts; signaling pathways; Transcription factors; Transcription Factors - physiology; Undergraduate Study; molecular biology; signaling pathways; plant biochemistry; gene expression
• ISSN: 1470-8175; 1539-3429; 1539-3429
• DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20780

We present a lab that enables students to test the role of genes involved in the regulation of lateral roots growth in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, students design an experiment that follows the effects of the hormone auxin on the stimulation of genes involved in the formation of lateral root initials. These genes, known as lateral organ boundary domain containing protein (LBD) genes, are upregulated in the presence of auxin as part of a multistep molecular and biochemically controlled pathway. Depending on which LBD gene is tested, and the stage of root development, expression patterns are localized in a discrete and punctate fashion at the site of lateral root initials (LBD33), or reveal a broader localization pattern (LBD16). Students view expression using the reporter gene GUS (beta‐glucuronidase). Before GUS staining, students view root growth in a “pseudo‐aseptic” agar‐based environment that allows complete visualization of whole root development to determine the proper stage to test molecular expression. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(3):XXXXX–XXXXX, 2014.