Abstract
We have generated a large number of T-DNA insertion lines in Arabidopsis. The T-DNA contains a GUS reporter gene for gene trap mutagenesis. We found one line showing GUS staining in root tips reduced root growth compared with that of wild type plants. The tagged gene was a soluble ABC protein gene related to the yeast GCN20 gene. GCN20 is known to interact with GCN1 in yeast, so we screened knockout lines of GCN1 orthologue from the Tag-lines. One out of eight knockout lines exhibited GUS staining in root tips, shoot meristem and carpels. Three knockout lines showed reduced root growth and sterile phenotype. The ABC protein interacted with the Arabidopsis GCN1 in yeast two-hybrid system. These results indicated that the two proteins played an important role in growth and development in Arabidopsis. We are analyzing expression patterns of other Arabidopsis GCN20 protein family, and further characterizations are being performed.
