Arabidopsis PABPs and Heat Stress Response

该项目的长期目标是阐明影响模式植物拟南芥中某些聚(A)结合蛋白(PABP)的突变如何导致热胁迫反应和植物耐热性的变化。植物PABP多基因家族由来已久，其复杂性在其他真核生物中是无与伦比的。由于它们的多样性和高度复杂的组织特异性表达，植物PABP具有比其他真核生物门更明显的影响生长和发育的更广泛的潜力。这一现象的一个表现可能是一些植物PABPs对热应激反应的调节。该项目的具体目标是阐明转录后机制对这种改变的热应激反应调节的贡献的意义。高温是影响作物产量的一种普遍的压力源。因此，这一研究路线可能对农业生物技术具有重要的意义。此外，该项目是研究型大学(奥尔巴尼大学)和小型农村学院(哈特威克学院)之间的合作，因此将通过哈特威克学院的本科生参与合作研究，为培训和教育作出重大贡献。此外，该项目的教育部分包括为吉尔德兰高中开发植物遗传学实验室练习。

The long term goal of this project is to elucidate how the mutations affecting certain poly(A) binding proteins (PABPs) in the model higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana cause alterations in heat stress response and in plant thermotolerance. The plant PABP multigene family is ancient, and its complexity is unparalleled in the rest of eukaryotic world. Given their multiplicity and highly complex tissue-specific expression, plant PABPs possess a broader potential to influence growth and development than is apparent for other eukaryotic phyla. One manifestation of this may be regulation of heat stress response by some of the plant PABPs. The specific objective of the project is to elucidate the significance of the contribution of posttranscriptional mechanisms to this altered heat stress response regulation. Heat is a ubiquitous stressor that impacts crop productivity. Therefore, this line of study may have important implications for agricultural biotechnology. In addition, this project is a collaboration between a research University (University at Albany) and a small rural college (Hartwick College), and as such will make a significant contribution to training and education, through engaging undergraduate students at Hartwick College in collaborative research. Furthermore, the educational component of this project includes developing plant genetics laboratory exercise for the Guilderland High School.