ARS | Publication request: SPOTTING FACTOR (SPF) FROM THE SPOTTED-DILUTE SYSTEM IS A MEMBER OF THE EN/SPM CONTROLLING ELEMENT FAMILY

Submitted to: Journal of Heredity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2005
Publication Date: June 1, 2005
Citation: Stinard, P.S., Sachs, M.M. 2005. Spotting factor (Spf) from the spotted-dilute system is a member of the En/Spm controlling element family. Journal of Heredity. 96:582-585.

Interpretive Summary: 1) Rationale: One important aim of basic research in crop plants is to gain greater insight as to how genes function and interact. The goal of this study was to characterize transposable genetic factors affecting kernel color in maize. 2) Accomplishments: The results show that a transposable system called 'Spotting factor (Spf)' is a member of the Enhancer/Suppressor-Mutator family of elements.. 3) Significance: The understanding of the Spf transposable element system will give us a greater understanding of gene function in crop plants. This in turn can lead to a deeper understanding of methods to improve crop plants. This information will be of interest to plant geneticists.

Technical Abstract: The Spotted-dilute controlling element system in maize involves an autonomous Spotting factor (Spf), and a receptor at the r1 locus haplotype R1-r(spotted dilute2). Its relationship with other maize transposable element systems is poorly characterized. Through development of a genetic tester that carries receptors for both the Spotted-dilute and the En/Spm controlling element systems, we determined that both receptors respond equally to Spf and En/Spm, and that Spf is a member of the En/Spm family of controlling elements.