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Plant Physiol, November 2000, Vol. 124, pp. 1097-1104
Isolation of Medicago truncatula Mutants Defective
in Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation1
Paul A.
Nakata* and
Michele M.
McConn
United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research
Service, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of
Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street, Houston,
Texas 77030-2600
Plants accumulate crystals of calcium oxalate in a variety of
shapes, sizes, amounts, and spatial locations. How and why many plants
form crystals of calcium oxalate remain largely unknown. To gain
insight into the regulatory mechanisms of crystal formation and
function, we have initiated a mutant screen to identify the genetic
determinants. Leaves from a chemically mutagenized Medicago truncatula population were visually screened for alterations in calcium oxalate crystal formation. Seven different classes of calcium
oxalate defective mutants were identified that exhibited alterations in
crystal nucleation, morphology, distribution and/or amount. Genetic
analysis suggested that crystal formation is a complex process
involving more than seven loci. Phenotypic analysis of a mutant that
lacks crystals, cod 5, did not reveal any difference in
plant growth and development compared with controls. This finding brings into question the hypothesized roles of calcium oxalate formation in supporting tissue structure and in regulating excess tissue calcium.
1
This research was supported in part by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (under
Cooperative Agreement no. 58-6250-6-001). The contents of this
publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names,
commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
*
Corresponding author; e-mail pnakata{at}bcm.tmc.edu; fax
713-798-7078.
© 2000 American Society of Plant Physiologists
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