Nina Allen
Bio
Selected Publications:
Collings, D.A., Zsuppan, G., Allen, N.S., Elison, B. Blancaflor. (2000). Demonstration of prominent actin filaments in the root columella. Planta (in press)
Collings, D.A., Carter, C,N, Rink, J.C., Scott, A.C., Wyatt, S.E., Allen, N.S. (2000). Plant Nuclei contain Extensive Cytoplasmic Grooves and Invaginations. Plant Cell (accepted, in revision).
Silver, I., Smyth, T.J., Moxley, D.F., Carter, T.E., Allen, N.S., Rufty, T.W. (2000). Aluminum Accumulation at Nuclei of Cells in the Root Tip: Fluorescence Detection Using Lumogallion and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. Plant Phys 123:543-552.
Scott, A.C., and Allen, N.S. (1999). Changes in cytosolic pH within Arabidopsis Root Columella Cells Play a Key Role in the Early Signaling Pathway for Root Gravitropism. Plant Physiol 121:1291-98.
Scott, A.C., Wyatt, S., Tsou, P.-L., Robertson, N. and Allen, N.S. (1999). A model system for plant cell biology: GFP imaging in living onion epidermal cells. BioTechniques26:1125-1132.(with cover photo voted best cover of 1999).
Collings, D.A., Winter, H., Wyatt, S.E. and Allen, N.S. (1998). Growth dynamics and cytoskeleton organization during stem maturation and gravity-induced stem bending in Zea mays L. Planta 207:246-258.
Education
Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park 1973
M.S. University of Maryland, College Park 1970
B.S. University of Wisconsin, Madison 1957
Area(s) of Expertise
Plant cell biology. Cytoskeleton and cell motility. Early effects of Nod factors on legume root development. Early responses to gravity and microgravity by plant cells. Video microscopic image development.
Publications
- An ER-targeted calcium-binding peptide confers salt and drought tolerance mediated by CIPK6 in Arabidopsis , PLANTA (2012)
- Increasing plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate biosynthesis increases phosphoinositide metabolism in Nicotiana tabacum , PLANT CELL (2007)
- The N-terminal membrane occupation and recognition nexus domain of Arabidopsis phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase 1 regulates enzyme activity , JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY (2007)
- Viability and in vitro germination of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) pollen , WEED TECHNOLOGY (2007)
- Endoplasmic reticulum targeted GFP reveals ER organization in tobacco NT-1 cells during cell division , PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (2006)
- A Sec14p-nodulin domain phosphatidylinositol transfer protein polarizes membrane growth of Arabidopsis thaliana root hairs , JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY (2005)
- Accumulation and localization of aluminium in root tips of loblolly pine seedlings and the associated ectomycorrhiza Pisolithus tinctorius , PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT (2005)
- Root-knot nematodes and bacterial Nod factors elicit common signal transduction events in Lotus japonicus , PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2005)
- Red clover necrotic mosaic virus replication proteins accumulate at the endoplasmic reticulum , VIROLOGY (2004)
- Gravisensing: Ionic responses, cytoskeleton and amyloplast behavior , SPACE LIFE SCIENCES: GRAVITATIONAL BIOLOGY: 2002 (2003)
Grants
Plants establish symbioses with diverse soil microbes, ranging from beneficial mutualists, such as mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria, to devastating parasites such as nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes cause more than $100 billion in annual crop loss worldwide; root-knot nematode (RKN: Meloidogyne spp.) has the most economic impact. From prior research, we have found that the initial response of plants to RKN is very similar to the response of legumes to beneficial symbionts, and genetic analysis confirms that these responses indeed are germane to establishment of the parasitic interaction. Preliminary evidence points to the existence of a signal (Nematode Factor: NemF) produced by RKN, which has functional similarity to rhizobial Nod factor. Our hypothesis is that during their evolutionary history, RKN have become adapted to exploit the plant machinery used by rhizobia and mycorrhiza to establish symbioses as a means for the nematodes to enhance their parasitic ability. This project will use confocal, DIC and video fluorescence microscopy to study the dynamics of RKN infection of plants to subcellular resolution. We will exploit existing legume mutants to dissect the RKN response pathway, and we will perform functional analysis of the orthologous genes in tomato using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The VIGS experiments will directly test the role of particular plant genes and pathways in the parasitic interaction. Finally, we will establish a bioassay for NemF, and we will use liquid- and solid-phase extraction mass spectrometry to fractionate and characterize NemF. This project directly addresses all three of the FY 2006 Priorities for Research of the Suborganismal Biology and Genomics of Arthropods and Nematodes Program and the CSREES goal to Enhance protection and safety of the Nation?s agriculture and food supply.