BIO

My name is Julia, and I am a senior at Florida State University with a major in biology and interdisciplinary minors in chemistry and physics. I tutor at the Academic Center for Excellence and love helping students understand science. After graduating, I intend to pursue a career in the medical field and am interested in using research to solve health problems. During my free time, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and traveling with my family.

Effect of ZAG4 in Paramutation of Zea mays

Abstract

Epigenetic processes change gene expression without altering gene sequence. The resulting phenotypic effects can be beneficial, deleterious, or neutral for the organism. To understand more about the mechanisms of epigenetics, we are currently studying how paramutation occurs in maize (Zea mays). Paramutation happens when one allele on a diploid locus epigenetically changes the gene expression of the other allele. When this process acts on the booster1 (b1) gene sequence, it affects gene expression and ultimately, how much anthocyanin is expressed in maize stems. A non-coding DNA sequence called the b1 tandem repeat (b1TR) is located 100 kb upstream to the b1 transcription start site and acts as an enhancer or silencer to the b1 locus. Single Locus Immunoprecipitation Proteomics (SLIP) was used to find b1TR-binding proteins in maize. One of these proteins is posited to be zea agamous 4 (ZAG4). To confirm if ZAG4 interacts with b1TR, we are preparing to test the binding of the ZAG4 protein to the b1TR sequence in a yeast 1 hybrid assay. Overall, this study will provide more information about the molecular mechanisms of epigenetics and paramutation in eukaryotic organisms.

Keywords: epigenetics, paramutation, maize