Poster abstracts
Poster number 112 submitted by Carmen Rodriguez
Characterizing chromatin accessibility of long terminal repeat retrotransposons in response to cold stress in maize
Carmen Rodriguez (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program), Dr. Xingli Li (Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University), Caleb Gooden (Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University)
Abstract:
Cold stress at the seedling stage can reduce maize yield and quality by disrupting critical physiological processes, including photosynthesis, cell membrane integrity, and nutrient uptake. As global temperatures fluctuate and extreme weather events become more frequent, understanding how crops like maize respond to environmental stress is crucial for ensuring sustainable food production. Long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) make up a large portion of the maize genome and have been shown to influence gene expressions and epigenetic modifications through chromatin remodeling. However, their chromatin accessibility dynamics in regulating plant responses to cold stress are not yet fully understood. A major challenge in accessing the chromatin status of LTR-RTs is their repetitive nature, preventing accurate mapping and analyzing using short-read sequencing methods. To address this, we are adapting the new Fiber-seq technology for mapping chromatin accessibility. To date, we have successfully isolated high-quality nuclei from maize seedlings and identified an LTR family for focused investigation. Ongoing efforts include scaling up nuclei isolation to meet experimental requirements and validating Fiber-seq labeling of chromatin accessibility in these nuclei. This research provides the groundwork for understanding chromatin remodeling of LTR-RTs in maize cold stress responses. Future directions will explore the functional impact of LTR-RTs for their regulatory potential on cold-responsive genes.
References:
[1] Bubb et al., bioRxiv (2024); [2] Workman et al., Protocol Exchange (2018); [3] Marand et al. Cell (2021); [4] Stergachis et al., Science (2020); [5] Hatsugai & Katagiri, Bio Protoc (2018)
Keywords: Transposon, Maize, abiotic stress