Reverse Genetic Approach to Exploring Genes Responsible for Cell-Wall Dynamics in Supporting Tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana under Microgravity Conditions

Abstract

In 2008, the 'Cell Wall' experiment is scheduled to be launched and conducted on the International Space Station with the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS). The main aim of this in-orbit plant science experiment is to elucidate the effect of gravitational conditions on supporting tissue formation in plants, thereby gaining new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which plants adapted to the land environment. In this first space experiment with in-orbit control experiments, we will specifically aim to elucidate the expression profiles of several candidate genes encoding proteins that are involved in the construction and restructuring of the secondary cell wall in the stem of Arabidopsis thaliana grown both in microgravity and 1G conditions. This review article deals with biological background pertinent to the 'Cell Wall' experiment, the anticipated experimental procedures to be used, together with a perspective of how this space experiment will extend our knowledge in both pure and applied life sciences.

Preparation and Outline of Space-Based Studies on Gravity Responses and Cell Wall Formation in Plants

“…In analyzing Arabidopsis specimens recovered from the ISS, RNAlater solution (Ambion, Austin, TX., USA) was used to characterize mRNA expression levels. Staining for GUS activity with 1/10 formalin (Sigma; HT501128) was conducted to localize the promoter activity of the CesA7 gene Koizumi et al, 2007).…”

“…Two of the themes, Cell Wall and Resist Wall (CWRW) Koizumi et al, 2007), were selected by the 5th International Announcement of Opportunity (IAO) in 2004. The CWRW experiments were conducted onboard the ISS between March 30 and May 23, 2008 in the European experiment module COLUMBUS using the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) facility of the European Space Agency (ESA).…”

Cell Wall-Related Genes Involved in Supporting Tissue Formation and Transcriptional Regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana

“…This inorbit plant science experiment, termed the "Cell Wall Experiment," aimed to determine the effects of mechanical load on the transcript levels of a set of genes involved in supporting tissue formation in plants Koizumi et al, 2007). The experimental materials were transported to the International Space Station (ISS) on the space shuttle mission STS-123 (1J/A) that was launched on March 11, 2008, and the experiments were performed between March 30 and May 23, 2008 in the European experimental module COLUMBUS (Kamada et al, 2009).…”