A Regulatory RNA Inducing Transgenerationally Inherited Phenotypes: Studies on Natural Variation in Glucosinolate Profiles and Flowering Time

Lea Møller Jensen

Abstract

Natural variation is a well-recognized concept in several species. Variation in the genomic sequence allows for phenotypic differences among individuals. For Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants, variations are found among accessions with several individuals having the same genomic sequence. The variation in Arabidopsis enables different regulatory networks and mechanisms to shape the phenotypic characteristics. The thesis describes the identification of regulatory RNA encoded by an enzyme encoding gene. The RNA regulates by inducing transgenerationally inherited phenotypes. The function of the RNA is dependent on the genetic background illustrating that polymorphisms are found in either interactors or target genes of the RNA. Furthermore, the RNA provides a mechanistic link between accumulation of glucosinolate and onset of flowering.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherDepartment of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen
Number of pages123
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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