Identification of plant RNA Editing factors in EMS mutants

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Binder, since 11/2017
• Subject Area: Plant Genetics and Genomics ; Plant Physiology
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262645124

This project aims to identify further nuclear encoded factors of RNA editing in mitochondria of plants through the targeted genetic approach by screening EMS mutant populations of Arabidopsis thaliana. The successful identification of several new PPR genes and the novel family of MORF proteins by the SNaPshot mutant screen proves that this approach provides an excellent tool. The search includes the so far unknown enzyme and further genes for PPR and other proteins involved in RNA editing. Novel point mutations in known PPR proteins will allow to elucidate the functions of individual PPR protein domains. In parallel, functions of mitochondrially encoded proteins will be probed. Site-specific editing proteins will be employed to generate double knock-out and amiRNA knock-down mutants with specific alterations in mitochondrial proteins to assay their function, for example of the intronic matR reading frame.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Privatdozent Dr. Mizuki Takenaka, until 11/2017