Abstract Detail

Functional Genetics/Genomics

Purvis, Connor [1], Rentsch, Jeremy [2], Jones, Elizabeth [3].

Regulation of the Dhurrin Biosynthetic Pathway in Sorghum halepense seedlings.

Sorghum halepense or Johnsongrass is cited as one of the world's most noxious weeds by many accounts. Though it was first brought over to use as a feed for cattle, it is of great use because of its high yields. Death by cyanide poisoning in cattle raised awareness that there were underlying processes in Johnsongrass that were not known. A cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin was found to be the cause of the cyanide buildup in S. halepense. Studies have shown that stress and age of S. halepense affect the dhurrin production. This study aimed at understanding the correlation between S. halepense age and the dhurrin production. This was done by isolating RNA from seedlings of S. halepense by week and synthesizing cDNA. That cDNA was then utilized for qPCR to look at the regulation of four genes. CYP79A1, CYP71E1 and UGT85B1, in the dhurrin biosynthetic pathway and PP2A serving as a housekeeping gene. We hypothesis that dhurrin production is rapidly increased after germination and decreases once the seedling is around 4 weeks old.

1 - 6511 Francis Marion Rd, Effingham, SC, 29541, United States
2 - Francis Marion University, Francis Marion University Leathermen Sci, 4822 E. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC, 29506, United States
3 - Francis Marion University, Biology, 4822 E Palmetto St, Florence, SC, 29506, USA

Keywords:
defense pathways
gene expression.

Presentation Type: Poster
Number:
Abstract ID:234
Candidate for Awards:None