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Title: Investigating Sk-3 Based Spore Killing in Neurospora crassa Through Deletion Analysis of DNA Intervals i383 And i394
Neurospora fungi are found around the world. The species N. crassa is a popular model for use in genetics research. N. crassa produces sexual spores, called ascospores, during mating between strains of opposite mating types. N. crassa also produces spore sacs called asci, and each ascus typically contains eight viable ascospores. However, some Neurospora fungi carry selfish genetic elements called Spore killers, and when a strain carrying a Spore killer mates with a spore killing-susceptible strain, asci contain four black viable ascospores and four white inviable ascospores. In this project, I investigated a Spore killer called Sk-3. To act as a selfish genetic element, Sk-3 is thought to require at least two genes, a poison gene and an antidote gene. The Sk-3 antidote gene (rsk) has been identified, but the poison gene has not. The purpose of this study is to help identify the location of the poison gene. To do this, I deleted two DNA intervals (i383 and i394) from a location of the Neurospora genome that may harbor the poison gene. My results indicate that deletion of i383 eliminates spore killing while deletion of i394 has no effect on spore killing. The possibility that i394 overlaps with the poison gene is discussed.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2005295
PAR ID:
10649514
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Publisher / Repository:
ISU ReD
Date Published:
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Senior Thesis
Format(s):
Medium: X
Institution:
Illinois State University
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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  2. (, ISU ReD: Research and eData)
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