Insights into phototropic signaling : a study of the unusual attributes of a hyper-phototropic mutant
Abstract
[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Many questions persist about the nature of and components associated with the initial signaling events that follow light perception for phototropism. To address this, we began by describing a hyper-phototropic mutant -- hph, through a series of directed experiments. The primary goal of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the phototropic signal progression from stimulus to response. While the original hph mutant represents an interesting physiological aberration, only following our analysis was the discovery that hph could offer additional insights made possible. To begin, we considered the physiological and genetic basis for the hph phenotype (Ch. 2). Based on these discoveries we then began to address the molecular aspects of hph through the use of transgenic plants and, subsequently, other tools to decipher the proteinprotein interactions (Ch. 3). To conclude, we have initiated an ecological study focused on establishing a linkage between phototropin action and ecological fitness and success (Ch. 4).
Degree
Ph. D.
Thesis Department
Rights
Access is limited to the campus of the University of Missouri--Columbia.