Molecular Analysis of Tobacco Phloem-Specific Protein

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

9306608 Robertson Phloem-specific protein (p-protein) is a major protein in sieve tube elements, yet the function of this protein is not known. Functions commonly ascribed to p-protein are that it plugs sieve pore plates following wounding and/or that it maintains sterility in phloem by binding microorganisms. However, the synthesis and turnover of p-protein are very high, characteristics not normally associated with proteins that are primarily structural in nature. In the electroosmotic flow theory of phloem translocation, p- protein has been hypothesized to have an active role in the transport of photosynthetic assimilates. Antisense technology to phenocopy null mutations for p-protein isoforms can help to clarify the role of p-protein in translocation. As the first step towards this goal, the PI proposes to isolate p-protein genes from tobacco, Arabidopsis and pumpkin. %%% A long term goal is to monitor changes in translocation flow and in the plant's response to wounding in plants transformed with antisense p-protein mRNA. These experiments will increase our understanding of the mechanism of phloem translocation and will help elucidate the function and importance of p-protein in normal plant growth. The knowledge gained from such studies will increase our basic understanding of phloem tissues and may have important consequences for agriculture. ***