The S-protein homolog family was first identified in self-incompatible Papaver rhoaeas. In Papaver, PrsS is involved in self-incompatibility / self-recognition. Perception of different alleles of PrsS by their respective allelic receptors, PrpS, confers pollen tube rejection and death. This is the only characterized SPH family member to date.
It is hypothesized that SPH1 in Turnera confers filament length dimorphisms.
There is a crystal structure of the Arabidopsis AtSPH15.
Other than the formerly mentioned, nothing is known of the SPH family. Using modern molecular genetic tools, I aim to begin characterization of the SPH family in the model plant organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis has been chosen due to its short life cycle and easy transformation protocol.
Characterizing the family in Arabidopsis will provide insights into the neofunctionalization of PrsS and SPH1 . Furthermore, understanding the role of the family in a model organism can provide a basis for hypotheses regarding the role of this family in other organisms based on homology.
It is hypothesized that SPH1 in Turnera confers filament length dimorphisms.
There is a crystal structure of the Arabidopsis AtSPH15.
Other than the formerly mentioned, nothing is known of the SPH family. Using modern molecular genetic tools, I aim to begin characterization of the SPH family in the model plant organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis has been chosen due to its short life cycle and easy transformation protocol.
Characterizing the family in Arabidopsis will provide insights into the neofunctionalization of PrsS and SPH1 . Furthermore, understanding the role of the family in a model organism can provide a basis for hypotheses regarding the role of this family in other organisms based on homology.
