ARS | Publication request: A set of GFP organelle marker lines for intracellular localization studies in Medicago truncatula

Submitted to: Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 9, 2012
Publication Date: June 1, 2012
Citation: Luo, B., Nakata, P.A. 2012. A set of GFP organelle marker lines for intracellular localization studies in Medicago truncatula. Plant Science. 188-189:19-24.

Interpretive Summary: With the advances in DNA sequencing and other genomic technologies, a large number of genes have been uncovered, encoding proteins of unknown function. Since proteins involved in specific processes are frequently found together in a particular compartment within the cell, determining in which compartment a protein is found often gives us an important clue about its function. For example, plant cells group the proteins required for photosynthesis in the compartment commonly called the chloroplast. Thus, if a protein of unknown function is determined to reside in the chloroplast the probability is high that it functions in the process of photosynthesis. To aid in determining in which compartment a protein resides, we report here the generation of a set of green-fluorescent protein plant marker lines. These plant marker lines allow visualization of the different compartments (fluorescence) within the plant cell. Thus, these marker lines are a tool to help researchers determine the location of any protein of interest within the plant cell.

Technical Abstract: Genomics advances in the model legume Medicago truncatula have led to an increase in the number of identified genes encoding proteins with unknown biological function. Determining the intracellular location of uncharacterized proteins often aids in the elucidation of biological function. To expedite such localization studies, we have generated a set of intracellular organelle GFP-marker lines in M. truncatula. This set of organelle marker lines can be utilized in both in vivo fluorescent and in vitro fractionation assays and is compatible with both transient and stable expression systems. Thus, this marker set should prove to be a useful resource for the M. truncatula research community.