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      Elucidating TOR Function in Plant Development

      Spencer, Victoria Mary Rachel

      [Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2019.

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      Abstract

      Plants must coordinate development in response to nutrient availability, to maximise survival and reproduction in a changing environment. Eukaryotes share a central nutrition sensing pathway, characterised by the master regulator, TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR). This kinase mediates growth and development in response to nutrient and energy levels. The central signalling components (TOR, LST8, RAPTOR, and S6K) have been characterised in plants, however, their upstream and downstream targets remain elusive. By analysing TOR function in Arabidopsis thaliana and Kalanchoe daigremontiana, this project aims to uncover potential links between TOR signalling and plant development to investigate whether, over evolutionary time, TOR has been recruited into shoot-specific processes. To address this, both chemical and genetic perturbations were used, and the expression of downstream targets was elucidated by RNA Sequencing, qRT-PCR, and MUG Assays of GUS reporter lines. It was found that the meristem repressor, CLAVATA3, is induced upon TOR repression in the growing seedling, whilst it is repressed in the flower bud. Other key developmental genes also changed, including the floral induction gene, LEAFY. Furthermore, TOR activity may feedback to control TOR complex component expression, as RAPTOR1 appears to be repressed by TOR activity. This work reveals novel insights into the molecular links that explain the developmental phenotype of TOR inhibition.

      Additional content not available electronically

      Appendix 1 and 2 are deposited in Mendeley, DOI: 10.17632/5zx9twhc62.1, "RNA Sequencing analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and flower buds after chemical inhibition of TOR Kinase"

      Bibliographic metadata

      Type of resource:
      Content type:
      Administered thesis
      Form of thesis:
      Alternative format
      Type of submission:
      Doctoral level ETD - final
      Thesis title:
      Elucidating TOR Function in Plant Development
      Degree type:
      Doctor of Philosophy
      Degree programme:
      BBSRC DTP Studentship 4yr (MCF)
      Publication date:
      2019-01-21T19:14:33
      Institution:
      The University of Manchester
      Location:
      Manchester, UK
      Total pages:
      249
      Abstract:
      Plants must coordinate development in response to nutrient availability, to maximise survival and reproduction in a changing environment. Eukaryotes share a central nutrition sensing pathway, characterised by the master regulator, TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR). This kinase mediates growth and development in response to nutrient and energy levels. The central signalling components (TOR, LST8, RAPTOR, and S6K) have been characterised in plants, however, their upstream and downstream targets remain elusive. By analysing TOR function in Arabidopsis thaliana and Kalanchoe daigremontiana, this project aims to uncover potential links between TOR signalling and plant development to investigate whether, over evolutionary time, TOR has been recruited into shoot-specific processes. To address this, both chemical and genetic perturbations were used, and the expression of downstream targets was elucidated by RNA Sequencing, qRT-PCR, and MUG Assays of GUS reporter lines. It was found that the meristem repressor, CLAVATA3, is induced upon TOR repression in the growing seedling, whilst it is repressed in the flower bud. Other key developmental genes also changed, including the floral induction gene, LEAFY. Furthermore, TOR activity may feedback to control TOR complex component expression, as RAPTOR1 appears to be repressed by TOR activity. This work reveals novel insights into the molecular links that explain the developmental phenotype of TOR inhibition.
      Additional digital content not deposited electronically:
      Appendix 1 and 2 are deposited in Mendeley, DOI: 10.17632/5zx9twhc62.1, "RNA Sequencing analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and flower buds after chemical inhibition of TOR Kinase"
      Keyword(s):
      Thesis main supervisor(s):
      Thesis co-supervisor(s):
      Funder(s):
      Degree grantor:
      Language:
      en

      Institutional metadata

      University researcher(s):
      Academic department(s):

        Record metadata

        Manchester eScholar ID:
        uk-ac-man-scw:318082
        Created by:
        Spencer, Victoria
        Created:
        21st January, 2019, 19:14:33
        Last modified by:
        Spencer, Victoria
        Last modified:
        6th February, 2020, 10:37:20

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