Molecular and functional analysis of trehalose metabolism during pea seed development

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Seed metabolism must be coordinated with endogenous developmental and exogenous environmental factors. This is thought to be performed by sugar signalling mediated by SnRK1, abscisic acid and the Trehalose (Tre) pathway. Tre and Tre-6-P are minor sugars in plants but represent important signals to integrate and coordinate metabolism with development. In this project, we are planning a molecular and functional characterisation of genes encoding Tre metabolising enzymes during pea seed development. In detail, we want to study tissue and cell-specific gene expression of Tre metabolism genes in seeds. Regulation of gene expression will be monitored in a set of unique transgenic pea seed models with defined changes of their metabolic state. Regulation of promoter activities from these genes will be analysed in response to nutrient/hormone treatments. In addition, we want to unravel the regulation of class II Tre-P synthases by searching for protein interacting partners. Finally, we are planning a functional analysis of Tre metabolism during pea seed development by transgenic inhibition of gene expression. Levels of Tre-6-P will be modified by ectopic expression of E. coli Tre-P synthase and Tre-P phosphatase. Transgenic seeds will be subjected to phenotypic analysis by monitoring growth parameters and seed composition. From this project, we expect a more profound insight into the regulation of sugar metabolism and storage product synthesis of pea seeds in particular and of crop seeds in general.