Brenda Ramirez
Brenda Ramirez
Year: 2009
Faculty Advisor: Klaus Apel

Characterization of singlet oxygen responsive transcription factors mutants

During my stay at BTI, I analyzed two of transcription factors, WRKY46 and WRKY53. The biological relevance of these transcription factors was addressed by analyzing the double and triple mutants, which are wrky46/flu, wrky53/flu, and wrky46/wrky53/flu. These mutants can be analyzed based on their stress responses under the condition that generates different levels of singlet-oxygen. In order to examine these transcription factors and mutants I used tools that involved molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics and plant physiology. I also attempted to identify whether or not either of the transcription factors, WRKY46 and WRKY53, are necessary to initiate singlet oxygen-triggered plant’s stress response.