Activities and Functions of the Basic Pentacysteine DNA-binding Proteins

基本五半胱氨酸 DNA 结合蛋白的活性和功能

• 批准号: 0517104
• 负责人: Charles Gasser
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of California-Davis
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-09-01 至 2009-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0517104&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Activities; Functions; Basic; Pentacysteine; DNA

Transcription of protein coding genes is a fundamental cellular process that is essential for all aspects of metabolism and development. Understanding of the mechanisms by which DNA-binding transcription factors promote and regulate differential transcription of genes is therefore a major goal of molecular and developmental biologists. The BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC) proteins are a newly described small family of plant-specific DNA-binding proteins that are produced in most plant organs. Phenotypic effects resulting in mutation or overexpression of BPC genes indicate that BPC proteins play roles in expression of a variety of genes. Characterization of the function of the BPC proteins promises to reveal new information on functions of DNA-binding proteins and novel mechanisms for regulation of gene transcription. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to determine the cellular roles of BPC proteins. Direct targets of BPC action will be identified through a "top-down" approach by identifying genes whose expression is altered in bpc mutant plants. Additional screens will make use of conditionally active BPC variants expressed in transgenic plants in combination with comprehensive gene expression profiling. A complementary "bottom-up" approach will identify BPC targets starting from sequences that can be bound by isolated BPC proteins in vitro. The activity of DNA-binding transcription factors commonly results from association with additional protein factors. In vivo systems will be used to determine the nature of proteins bound by BPC proteins to determine the mechanisms through which BPC proteins modulate gene expression.Completion of the project will provide significant new information on the determinants of gene expression in plants. The novel nature of the BPC proteins and the fact that they have a unique DNA-binding domain provides the opportunity to uncover new fundamental information on protein-DNA interactions. Undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral participants in the research will learn to apply the latest methods of molecular biology and analysis of gene expression in a strong biological context. High school students will also be exposed to this cutting edge research through lab internships and outreach by the principal investigator.

蛋白质编码基因的转录是一个基本的细胞过程，对于代谢和发育的各个方面都是必不可少的。 因此，了解DNA结合转录因子促进和调节基因差异转录的机制是分子和发育生物学家的主要目标。 碱性五半胱氨酸（BPC）蛋白是一个新发现的植物特异性DNA结合蛋白小家族，在大多数植物器官中产生。 导致BPC基因突变或过表达的表型效应表明BPC蛋白在多种基因的表达中起作用。对BPC蛋白功能的研究有望揭示DNA结合蛋白功能的新信息和基因转录调控的新机制。 一个多学科的方法将被用来确定BPC蛋白的细胞作用。 BPC作用的直接靶标将通过“自上而下”的方法，通过鉴定在bpc突变体植物中表达改变的基因来鉴定。 额外的筛选将利用转基因植物中表达的条件活性BPC变体与综合基因表达谱。 一种互补的“自下而上”方法将从可以在体外被分离的BPC蛋白结合的序列开始鉴定BPC靶标。 DNA结合转录因子的活性通常由与其他蛋白质因子的结合引起。 体内系统将用于确定BPC蛋白结合的蛋白质的性质，以确定BPC蛋白调节基因表达的机制。该项目的完成将为植物基因表达的决定因素提供重要的新信息。 BPC蛋白质的新颖性质和它们具有独特的DNA结合结构域的事实提供了发现蛋白质-DNA相互作用的新的基本信息的机会。 参与研究的本科生，研究生和博士后将学习在强大的生物背景下应用分子生物学和基因表达分析的最新方法。 高中生也将通过实验室实习和首席研究员的推广接触到这项前沿研究。