Roles of the Arabidopsis AKIP RNA-Binding-Proteins in Guard Cell Function

拟南芥 AKIP RNA 结合蛋白在保卫细胞功能中的作用

• 批准号: 0345251
• 负责人: Sarah Assmann
• 金额: $ 68万
• 依托单位: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-05-15 至 2010-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0345251&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Roles; Arabidopsis; AKIP; RNA; Binding

In plants as well as in animals, the genetic code is contained within the organism's DNA. Every cell in a multicellular organism has exactly the same DNA, and it is the regulation of which genes within that DNA are used, or "expressed", that makes one cell different from another. This regulation occurs at many levels. DNA is transcribed (transcription) into another type of nucleic acid, RNA, which is further processed (cut, spliced, modified) before its translation into protein. Thus, regulation of gene expression can occur at the level of transcription, at the level of mRNA processing and stability, and at the level of translation. The plant hormone, abscisic acid (ABA), plays an integral role in the ability of plants to acclimate to environmental stresses such as drought, cold, and salinity, which seriously compromise crop productivity both in the U.S. and world-wide. It has been known for some time that ABA plays an important role in the regulation of gene transcription. Results from a few laboratories are now beginning to show that ABA also plays an important role in RNA metabolism. In the present research, the roles of 3 RNA binding proteins, "AtAKIPs" in the regulation of ABA sensitivity, RNA metabolism, and drought tolerance will be investigated. Experiments will be conducted in the model organism, Arabidopsis thaliana. ABA sensitivity, drought tolerance, and RNA stability will be assessed in Arabidopsis transgenic plants that have altered amounts of each of these 3 proteins. AtAKIP RNA targets also will be identified, and computational and experimental approaches will be applied to identify consensus motifs within these RNAs that are necessary and sufficient for the RNA to bind to the AtAKIP. Once such motifs are identified, their presence will be assessed on a genome-wide basis both in Arabidopsis and in other organisms, to further scientific insight into the mechanisms of hormonally-mediated effects on RNA metabolism. The investigators are actively involved in outreach education to elementary schools. Dr. Assmann has developed teaching modules to introduce plant biology to kindergartners and has developed a video about plant gravity sensing. Dr. Bevilacqua is involved in career-site activities for "take your child to work" day and has created chemistry demonstrations for local elementary schools. The investigators will use information obtained from the present research in the development of new laboratories for an honors undergraduate biology course, and to expand the biological aspects of the curriculum of a graduate Nucleic Acids physical chemistry class.

在植物和动物中，遗传密码包含在生物体的DNA中。多细胞生物体中的每个细胞都有完全相同的DNA，正是对DNA中哪些基因被使用或“表达”的调节，使一个细胞与另一个细胞不同。这一规定发生在许多层面。DNA被转录（转录）成另一种类型的核酸，RNA，RNA在翻译成蛋白质之前被进一步加工（切割，剪接，修饰）。因此，基因表达的调节可以发生在转录水平、mRNA加工和稳定性水平以及翻译水平。植物激素脱落酸（阿坝）在植物适应干旱、寒冷和盐碱等环境胁迫的能力中起着不可或缺的作用，这些环境胁迫严重损害了美国和世界范围内的作物生产力。阿坝在基因转录调控中起着重要的作用。一些实验室的结果现在开始表明阿坝在RNA代谢中也起着重要作用。本研究将探讨3种RNA结合蛋白AtAKIPs在阿坝敏感性、RNA代谢和耐旱性调控中的作用。实验将在模式生物拟南芥中进行。阿坝敏感性、耐旱性和RNA稳定性将在具有改变的这3种蛋白质中的每一种的量的拟南芥转基因植物中进行评估。还将鉴定AtAKIP RNA靶点，并将应用计算和实验方法来鉴定这些RNA内的共有基序，这些基序是RNA与AtAKIP结合所必需和足够的。一旦这些基序被确定，它们的存在将在拟南芥和其他生物体中的全基因组基础上进行评估，以进一步科学地了解植物介导的RNA代谢作用的机制。调查人员积极参与小学的外展教育。Assmann博士开发了向初学者介绍植物生物学的教学模块，并制作了一个关于植物重力传感的视频。贝维拉夸博士参加了“带你的孩子去工作”日的职业现场活动，并为当地小学制作了化学演示。研究人员将使用从本研究中获得的信息，为荣誉本科生物学课程开发新实验室，并扩展研究生核酸物理化学课程的生物学方面。