Theses and Dissertations

Author

Emily Cooley

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Popescu, Sorina C.

Committee Member

Wubben, Martin

Committee Member

Li, Ling

Date of Degree

8-7-2020

Original embargo terms

Complete embargo for 2 years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Biochemistry

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology

Abstract

Plants have several defense systems used as protection from environmental stressors, and the plant cell wall (CW) is considered the “frontline” during attack. The CW is a complex structure essential for growth and development and is composed of components such as cellulose, polysaccharides, pectin, and lignin. Lignin is the central source of strength for the CW and helps form a water-impermeable barrier for defense. The extent of plant CW defense, immunity, and the components involved still need further investigation. Integrin-Linked Kinases (ILKs), a subfamily of Raf-like kinases (RAFs), are thought to participate in signal-processing pathways of the CW and plasma membrane via integrin-like receptors (ILRs). Histological characterization was used to observe how ILKs participate in CW surveillance, and an analysis revealed that ILK1 and ILK4 are negative regulators of isoxaben-induced lignin accumulation, while ILK5ox is positive. Collectively, ILK1, ILK4, and ILK5 play important roles in the modulation of CW structure.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/18419

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