RNA and Development

Research

Regulated gene expression controlling flowering

We are interested in how plants control the switch to floral development: Plants control the time at which they flower as well as the number and organization of flowers they make (inflorescence architecture). The aim of our research is to examine the molecular basis of regulated gene expression that controls these developmental changes.

Our work involves a combination of molecular and genetic approaches. We are using Arabidopsis as a model to study regulated gene expression involved in flowering time control and in parallel, we are using barley to study inflorescence architecture in cereals.

We are currently focusing on how the novel RNA binding protein, FPA, controls Arabidopsis flowering time. We have conducted a novel screen to identify new regulators of flowering time and have identified a collection of Arabidopsis mutants that flower early independently of environmental cues. In addition, we have identified a range of mutants that disrupt barley inflorescence architecture, and are now identifying the genes involved.

My position is jointly supported by the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute

Publications

1. Simpson, G.G.,Laurie, R.E., Dijkwel, P.P., Quesada, V., Stockwell P., Dean C., Macknight, R.C. (2010) Non-canonical translation initiation of the flowering time and alternative polyadenylation regulator, FCA. Plant Cell 22: 3764-77


2. Hornyik, C., Duc, C., Rataj, K., Terzi L.C. and Simpson, G.G. (2010) Alternative polyadenylation of antisense RNAs and flowering time control. Biochem Soc Trans. in press.


3. Hornyik, C., Terzi, L.C. and Simpson, G.G. (2010) The spen family protein, FPA, controls alternative cleavage and polyadenylation of RNA. Developmental Cell 18: 203-213. [See Commentary Article: Rosonina, E. and Manley J.I. (2010) Alternative polyadenylation blooms. Developmental Cell 18:172-174.]


4. Terzi, L.C. and Simpson, G.G. (2009) Arabidopsis RNA Immunoprecipitation. Plant J 59: 163-8


5. Terzi, L.C. and Simpson, G.G. (2008). Regulation of flowering time by RNA processing. In Reddy, A.S. and Golovkin, M. (Eds) Nuclear Pre-mRNA Processing in Plants. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 326: 201-208.