Create your own conference schedule! Click here for full instructions

Abstract Detail



Teaching Section

Moses, Elgan [1], Mehroke, Jarnail [1], Singh, Santokh [1].

Development of a New Undergraduate Plant Physiology Lab Project on Plant Hormones and Nitrate Reductase Activity and Levels in Barley Leaves.

We have developed a new undergraduate plant physiology research project on the regulation of nitrate reductase (NR) activity and levels by light, nitrate ions and plant hormones. NR is an important enzyme in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism in plants, algae and fungi. It catalyzes the first step of nitrate assimilation in these species. NR also appears to play an important role in the control of carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The purpose of the present studies is to investigate the regulation of nitrate reductase by nitrate ions, light in barley (Hordeum vulgare) leaves. We also studied the effect of plant hormones, auxin, gibberellic acid, and cytokinin in the induction of NR in barley leaves. We have developed a new assay using a 96-well micro titer plate for determining the NR activity. We analyzed the NR levels in barley leaves by using the Western blot method. Both NR activity and NR levels in barley leaves increased when the etiolated barley seedlings were exposed to light and nitrate ions for 24 hours. By contrast, leaves from the etiolated barley seedlings showed no detectable levels of NR. Cytokinin, 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) showed a small increase in the NR activity in barley leaves. The role of interactions between light, nitrate ions, and hormones (auxin, gibberellic acid and cytokinin) in the regulation of nitrate reductase will be discussed. This project will be introduced as one of the theme areas for research for undergraduate plant physiology students to further advance our knowledge about the regulation of NR.


Log in to add this item to your schedule

1 - University Of British Columbia, Botany, #3529-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

Keywords:
nitrate
nitrate reductase
cytokinin
undergraduate research
Nitrogen Assimilation.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PTE008
Abstract ID:1303
Candidate for Awards:None


Copyright © 2000-2015, Botanical Society of America. All rights reserved