Physiological and molecular bases of inflorescence phototropism in Arabidopsis

ALEJANDRO M. SERRANO

Gent

Conferencia; Seminars of the Functional Plant Biology research group - Faculty of Sciences - UGENT; 2016

Faculty of Sciences- Universiteit Gent

Flower bending towards light, described by phototropism and heliotropism processes have been studied worldwide through contrasting natural scenarios mainly from ecological perspectives. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms of these responses are still unclear. The objective of this work was to characterise the physiological and molecular bases of inflorescence bending under natural conditions. Using the advantages that offers the model weed Arabidopsis thaliana I studied the photoreceptors involved in inflorescence bending towards light, as well as some molecular signal components underlying this response. The ecophysiological relevance of this response in terms of flower temperature.Results show that UV-B has a major role in inflorescence phototropism controlled by UVR8 photoreceptor. An effect of blue light was also detected, mediated by phototropins. Moreover, the response under natural sunlight showed to be mediated by alternative photosensory systems other than those mentioned above. Inflorescence phototropism have an important effect over flower internal temperature. The impact of this effect in seed yield is being quantified in the present. p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; Flowerbending towards light, described by phototropism and heliotropismprocesses have been studied worldwide through contrasting naturalscenarios [1-2] mainly from ecological perspectives. However, theunderlying physiological mechanisms of these responses are stillunclear. The objective of this work is to characterise thephysiological and molecular bases of inflorescence bending undernatural conditions. Using the advantages that offers the model weedArabidopsis thaliana (whole genome sequenced, genetic toolsavailable), we will study the photoreceptors involved ininflorescence bending towards light, as well as some molecular signalcomponents underlying this response. The ecological relevance of thisresponse in terms of seed yield and dispersal will also be assessed.