RUI: Analysis of AXR4's Function in Membrane Trafficking in Arabidopsis

植物细胞的许多基本功能，如吸收和输出营养物质和激素，都是通过嵌入细胞膜的转运蛋白来实现的。这些转运蛋白中的一些的适当活性取决于它们定位于细胞膜的一个特定部分。该项目的目标是增加我们对这些膜转运蛋白被定向到细胞中适当位置的机制的理解。这项研究的重点是AXR4基因，该基因已在广泛研究的植物拟南芥中被证明是进口激素生长素的蛋白质的正确定位所必需的。遗传和分子方法将用于鉴定与AXR4相互作用并在相同途径中起作用的基因和蛋白质，这将揭示AXR4基因产物的细胞作用。该项目将增强我们对植物细胞功能基本机制的了解，最终使科学家能够改善重要作物的生长。该项目还将支持在一个教学型机构对本科生和硕士生进行现代研究技术培训。

Many essential functions of plant cells, such as taking up and exporting nutrients and hormones, are carried out by transport proteins embedded in the cell membrane. Proper activity of some of these transport proteins depends on their localization to one specific part of the cell membrane. The goal of this project is to increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which these membrane transport proteins are directed to the proper place in the cell. The study focuses on the AXR4 gene, which has been shown in the widely-studied plant Arabidopsis thaliana to be necessary for proper location of a protein that imports the hormone auxin. Genetic and molecular approaches will be used to identify genes and proteins that interact with AXR4 and act in the same pathway, which will reveal the cellular role of the AXR4 gene product. The project will enhance our knowledge of basic mechanisms of plant cell function, which may ultimately enable scientists to improve the growth of important crop plants. The project also will support the training in modern research techniques of undergraduates and master's students at a teaching-oriented institution.