Identification of plant RNA Editing factors in EMS mutants

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Mizuki Takenaka
• Subject Area: Plant Genetics and Genomics
• Term: from 2008 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 88943013

RNA Editing in mitochondria and plastids of plants alters specific C nucleotides to U in mRNAs and tRNAs. In mitochondrial editing so far none of the specific or general factors, most likely proteins, have yet been identified. Two novel genetic approaches have been initiated to identify mutants in RNA editing in Arabidopsis thaliana which will allow to characterize the respective nuclear genes. The first approach utilizes the natural variation between ecotypes and aims to exploit the well charactized tools to follow ecotype specific genotypic differences. The second, parallel approach identifies artificial mutations in RNA editing by a newly developed screening procedure and will follow the affected nuclear genes with the genetic tools of Arabidopsis thaliana. The project aims to identify the specificity factors of RNA editing.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants