Important Arabidopsis Announcement

[David W Meinke/bot/cas/Okstate]

Dear Colleagues:

I need your help to update the list of mutant gene symbols and 
replace the classical genetic map of Arabidopsis with a 
sequence-based map of genes with mutant phenotypes.  Please read and 
respond to this message before July 31, 2002.  Your help is needed to 
provide accurate and current information to the Arabidopsis 
community.    

I have made available through TAIR (www.arabidopsis.org) three 
different spreadsheets that need your attention:  

1.        The current list of mutant gene symbols from 
http://mutant.lse.okstate.edu.  Because of technical problems with 
our computer server, we have temporarily placed a copy of this list 
at TAIR.  If you are using a MUTANT gene symbol that is NOT included 
on this list, CONFLICTS with an identical symbol on this list, or has 
been DISCONTINUED, please send your additions and/or corrections to: 
Meinke at okstate.edu.  Include gene symbol, full name of gene symbol, 
and reference laboratory.  

2.        A list of loci on the classical genetic map published in 
Science [282: 663 (1998)] that appear to have NOT yet been cloned. 
 Please check this list and let me know if you find any genes 
included that HAVE been cloned and should therefore be REMOVED from 
the list.  This list is separate from the spreadsheet below in order 
to focus on the current status of genes listed on the classical 
genetic map.      

3.        A comprehensive list of CLONED genes with known AGI numbers 
that give a phenotype when disrupted by mutation.  Evidence of gene 
cloning was obtained by searching TAIR, GenBank, PubMed, research 
publications, web sites, and posters presented at Seville.  This list 
will be used to construct a sequence-based map of genes with mutant 
phenotypes.  Send additional examples of CLONED genes with MUTANT 
phenotypes to: Meinke at okstate.edu.

Please provide the following information for genes that need to be 
added to the list:  AGI number (AtNgXXXXX), gene symbol, full name of 
gene symbol, method of gene identification (e.g. positional cloning; 
T-DNA tagging), reference lab, and a brief phrase describing the 
mutant phenotype and predicted protein function.  Or you can refer me 
to the appropriate publication.  

Please remember that these genes should give a MUTANT PHENOTYPE when 
disrupted by mutation.  Genes that give a phenotype only when 
switched on through activation tagging or over-expression of 
transgenes should NOT be included.      

You are also encouraged to send examples of additional alias names 
that refer to allelic mutants.  

I NEED YOUR RESPONSES BY THE END OF JULY IN ORDER TO INCLUDE THEM ON 
THE INITIAL VERSION OF THE MAP.  

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.  

David Meinke (Meinke at okstate.edu)
Curator of Mutant Gene Symbols and the Classical Genetic Map


David W. Meinke
Department of Botany
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK  74078
Phone:  405-744-6549
FAX:  405-744-7074
Email:  meinke at okstate.edu
URL:  http://mutant.lse.okstate.edu
URL:  www.seedgenes.org