Collaborative Research: Calcium/calmodulin-mediated transcriptional networks in Arabidopsis

本研究涉及拟南芥中参与逆境信号转导的钙/钙调蛋白介导的转录网络基因功能的确定。钙信使系统在感知和传递外部和内部刺激方面起着至关重要的作用。钙调素(CaM)是细胞内主要的钙受体，通过结合和改变靶蛋白的活性来传递钙信号。利用CaM进行全基因组筛选发现，拟南芥至少有12个信号响应性CaM结合转录因子(CaMBTf)。这项研究的目的是利用华盛顿州立大学、普渡大学和科罗拉多州立大学的科学家合作的方法来研究CAMBTFS的实际功能意义。这些研究人员在研究钙/钙调素介导的信号转导及其在植物对生物和非生物胁迫反应中的作用方面有着共同的兴趣。据推测，钙/CaM通过调节CaMBTf在植物对生物和非生物胁迫的响应中发挥重要作用。具体目标是：(1)利用功能缺失遗传学方法研究CaMBTf的功能意义；(2)利用功能增益和钙调蛋白结合区的定点突变对CaMBTf进行功能分析；以及(3)确定顺式元件和下游靶基因。更好地理解这些CaMBTf的功能(S)将增加我们对植物如何响应生物和非生物胁迫的知识，并有助于生产改良作物。该项目的另一个方面包括将这些发现纳入更广泛的教育领域。除了培养本科生、研究生和博士后外，该项目还将涉及高中理科教师和他们的学生。项目数据将向公众开放，突变种子将存放在拟南芥生物资源中心。

This research pertains to the determination of gene function of the calcium/calmodulin-mediated transcriptional networks involved in stress signaling in Arabidopsis. The calcium messenger system plays a critical role in the perception and transduction of external and internal stimuli. Calmodulin (CaM), a primary intracellular calcium receptor, transduces calcium signals by binding to and altering the activity of the target proteins. Genome-wide screening with CaM has revealed that Arabidopsis has at least 12 signal-responsive CaM-binding transcription factors (CaMBTFs). The goal of this research is to study the in planta functional significance of the CaMBTFs using a collaborative approach involving scientists from Washington State University, Purdue University and Colorado State University. These investigators share a common interest in studying calcium/CaM-mediated signaling and its role in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. It is hypothesized that calcium/CaM plays an important role in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses by regulating CaMBTFs. Specific goals are: (1) The functional significance of CaMBTFs using loss-of-function genetic approaches; (2) The functional analysis of CaMBTFs using gain-of-function as well as site-directed mutants in the calmodulin-binding domain; and (3) Identify the cis-elements and downstream target genes. A better understanding of the function(s) of these CaMBTFs will increase our knowledge of how plants respond to biotic and abiotic stresses, and help in the production of improved crop plants. Another aspect of this project includes integrating these findings into the broader educational arena. Apart from training undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs, this project will also involve high school science teachers and their students. The project data will be publicly available and the mutant seeds will be deposited at the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center.