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The maize CRINKLY4 receptor kinase controls a cell-autonomous differentiation response
P W Becraft1, S H Kang, S G Suh
1Zoology and Genetics/Agronomy Departments, 2116 Molecular Biology Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. becraft@iastate.edu
Plant Physiology
|October 13, 2001
Summary
The maize CRINKLY4 (cr4) gene, a receptor-like kinase, controls cell differentiation. Genetic mosaic analysis revealed cr4 functions cell-autonomously, regulating morphogenesis intracellularly, not via secondary signals.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Genetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- The maize CRINKLY4 (cr4) gene encodes a receptor-like kinase involved in cell differentiation.
- CR4 plays a role in leaf epidermis and endosperm aleurone development.
- The precise mechanism of CR4 signaling in differentiation was previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether CR4 signal transduction directly regulates cellular differentiation processes.
- To determine if CR4 controls differentiation through intracellular functions or secondary signals.
Main Methods:
- Genetic mosaic analysis in maize (Zea mays) using gamma-ray induced chromosome breakage.
- Creation of cr4 mutant sectors marked by the Oy-700 albino mutation.
- In situ hybridization to analyze cr4 transcript localization.
Main Results:
- CR4 functions cell autonomously in regulating cell morphogenesis.
- CR4 signal transduction appears to operate through intracellular mechanisms.
- Mutant cr4 sectors influenced cell patterning in adjacent wild-type tissue, suggesting a defect in other lateral signaling.
Conclusions:
- CR4 regulates cell differentiation via intracellular signal transduction.
- Maize CR4 does not rely on secondary intercellular signals for its primary differentiation role.
- CR4 mutant cells may be impaired in producing other essential lateral signals for tissue patterning.