Abstract
Nucleus is a highly heterogeneous structure, which is composed of double layered nuclear membranes, nuclear pores and nuclear matrix 1). Because nuclear architecture provides a physical framework for the genetic activities, it is important to know the mechanisms by which the nuclear structure is organized. To reveal the molecular basis of nuclear biogenesis in higher plants, we screened Arabidopsis seedlings from EMS-treated population for the mutants that showed aberrant nuclear morphology. We isolated kaku1 mutant, which has abnormal nuclear morphology in all tissues we inspected. Fluorescent marker analysis showed that nuclear envelopes were irregularly deformed in the mutant cells. Positional cloning revealed KAKU1 gene encoding a plant-specific protein. YFP-tagged KAKU1 protein specifically localized on the nuclear envelope. These results suggest that KAKU1 protein is needed for proper nuclear organization in higher plants.
1) Tamura et al. Plant Cell (2011) in press.
