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Summary: wtf1 encodes an RNA binding protein required for chloroplast RNA splicing; WTF1 functions in the context of heterodimeric complexes with RNC1. It harbors an RNA binding domain formerly called DUF860, but renamed the PORR (plant organelle RNA recognition) domain. Null alleles of wtf1 condition albino seedlings. Weak mutant alleles condition pale green seedlings. Both mutant classes are non-photosynthetic and seedling lethal due to the loss of chloroplast ribosomes and the reduced accumulation of all photosynthetic enzyme complexes.
Image: mutant leaf color depicted on a seedling color scale
First report: Kroeger et al. 2009.
Key Alleles
wtf1-1::MuDR; MuDR insertion is 34 bp upstream of the start codon. Pale green, seedling lethal phenotype.
wtf1-3::Mu1; Mu1 insertion is 505 bp downstream of the start codon in the exon. Albino (ivory), seedling lethal phenotype.
wtf1-4: :Mu1; Mu1 insertion is 560 bp downstream of the start codon in the exon. Albino (ivory), seedling lethal phenotype.
Heteroallelic progeny of complementation crosses between wtf1-1 and wtf1-3 or wtf1-4 have an intermediate, pale yellow green. phenotype. Heteroallelic wtf1-3/wtf1-4 individuals are ivory and seedling lethal.
Map Location
Mapped by alignment to the B73 Reference Genome Sequence Version 1. Note, this region, on chromosome 8 was originally assigned to chromosome 1.
Gene Product
WTF1 is localized to chloroplast stroma; has a novel RNA binding motif, PORR (plant organelle RNA recognition); and participates in group II intron splicing.
Related Locus
rnc1, encodes a polypeptide that forms an active heterodimer with WTF1.
Other
The wtf1 sequence was originally derived from BAC AC191930 and confirmed by PCR amplification of B73 genomic DNA.
References
Kroeger TS, Watkins KP, Friso G, van Wijk KJ, Barkan A. (2009) A plant-specific RNA binding domain revealed through analysis of chloroplast group II intron splicing. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 106:4537-42. PUBMED