Page 292 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

P157. Characterization of the EPF family of signalling peptides controlling stomatal development in
Monocots
1
1
2
*1
Jangra, R. ; S. Brunetti ; N. Foroud ; P. Gulick ; J.S. Lee
1
1 Concordia University
2 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Stomata, which control water and gaseous exchange between plants and the atmosphere, are pores found
on the plant epidermis. Proper stomatal density and distribution are critical for plant growth and survival.
In Arabidopsis thaliana, several Epidermal Patterning Factor (EPF) family of cysteine-rich peptides are
critical for controlling stomatal patterning and differentiation. EPF1 and EPF2, emitted from stomatal
precursor cells, enforce stomatal spacing divisions and inhibit initiation of stomatal cell lineage,
respectively. STOMAGEN/EPFL9, however, is expressed in underlying mesophyll tissues, promoting
stomatal differentiation in epidermis. Here, we searched for stomatal EPF homologs in other
agriculturally important cereal crops using a combination of bioinformatics and transcriptomics followed
by functional genomics studies. We discovered orthologs of stomatal EPF peptides which are present in
cereals despite distinct stomatal morphologies between dicots and monocots. Grass EPFs can complement
stomatal developmental defects of Arabidopsis epf mutants and their elevated expression produces
Arabidopsis plants with abnormal stomatal phenotypes. Additionally, application of each bioactive grass
EPF triggered unique response in monocot stomatal development. Our data suggests that STOMAGEN
function is conserved between dicots and monocots, but the roles of EPF1 and EPF2 in grasses are
somewhat different than their functions in Arabidopsis. Collectively, our studies will enrich our
knowledge on peptide signaling networks, enforcing proper development in plants. Anticipated results
will provide fundamental knowledge that can help increase crop productivity and water-use efficiency.

Raman Jangra (ramanjangra08@gmail.com)

P158. The Global Industry Coalition (GIC) contributions to the work of Implementing the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Luque, L.
CropLife Canada

Since the inception of the BSP, the plant science industry has recognized the need to engage in these
negotiations in a committed, sustained and coordinated manner. To that end, the Global Industry
Coalition (GIC) – a coalition of trade associations and companies involved in plant science, seeds,
agricultural biotechnology, food production, animal agriculture, human and animal health care, and the
environment – was established as a source for concrete and accurate information for countries involved in
the global trade of LMOs. GIC members participate in every Meeting of the Parties to the Convention
(COP) and to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) and are active contributors to the work
under BSP on risk assessment and risk management of LMOs and, more recently, synthetic biology.
While the GIC is officially recognized as “Industry,” its input is drawn from collaboration with experts in
academia, government and the private sector with real-world experiences in order to share best practices
and state-of-the-art, science-based information on risk assessment and risk management of LMOs and
synthetic biology.

Luis Luque (luquel@croplife.ca)

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