Phenotypic Characterization of ETFR

Authors: Neel Singh, Matias Gleason

Field of Study: Biological Sciences; Environmental Studies

Program Affiliation: Undergraduate Research Award

Faculty Mentors: Amber Churchill

Easel: 14

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Plants perceive light using photoreceptors that translate external cues into signals that tune gene expression and shape plant architecture. Using EMS mutagenesis, this study isolated a recessive Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that forms elongated hypocotyls (stems). Due to its spindly phenotype, this mutant was named ET’s finger (etfr). This study conducted a functional characterization of etfr and prepared to map the causal mutation by whole-genome sequencing. To determine the stability of the phenotype, the etfr allele is being introgressed into two robustly sequenced lines, Columbia-0 and Landsberg erecta. To test whether the elongation phenotype arises from changes in cell elongation or cell division, hypocotyl length and hypocotyl cell length were quantified. Targeted hormone-response assays will be used to examine whether ETFR may act within known growth-regulatory pathways downstream of photoreceptor signaling. This work will provide an initial characterization of ETFR and may help clarify how light signaling contributes to hypocotyl growth.