Novel roles and mechanisms of action of the ABI3 transcription factor and its interactors as 'gatekeeper' during the plant lifecycle and in stress conditions in conifers and angiosperms

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ABI3 proteins are transcription factors that act as intermediaries in regulating the response to the plant hormone ABA. The proposed research is based on the hypothesis that ABI3 acts together with AIPs (ABi3 Interacting Proteins) to regulate key transitions during the plant lifecycle in conifers and angiosperms, including the transition from seed development to germination and seedling growth and from vegetative growth to bud dormancy and subsequent bud burst. ABI3 may maintain the current developmental stage and prevent plants from entering the next stage prematurely, with distinct AIP action depending on the developmental stage. In addition, ABI3 may play an important role in sensing of and reaction to abiotic stress. The proposed project will look at mechanisms underlying these multiple functions of ABI3. The objectives of this project are to investigate (1) the role and mechanisms of ABI3 and its interactors in regulating important transitions of the plant lifecycle, (2) the role of ABI3 and its interactors as a safeguard in stress conditions and (3) the role of ABI3 in setting the epigenetic status of target genes. This research will uncover novel findings at a mechanistic level of the role of ABI3 in plants and will have significance to forestry and agriculture, where seed quality, seedling vigour and the ability to resist stress as well as an understanding of bud dormancy are of utmost importance.