Proteomic and Reverse Genetic Approaches to the Study of Root Gravitropism

主要研究人员：Patrick H.MassonNSF提案编号IOB-0642865题目：蛋白质组学和反向遗传方法研究根重力现象摘要。向重力性决定了向上的地上部生长适合光合作用、气体交换和繁殖的环境，并将向下的根部生长编程到土壤中，以吸收水分和养分。重力感知主要发生在特殊的重力感知细胞中，这些细胞位于根尖和茎中的维管系统周围。为了更好地了解控制根中重力感应的机制，我们分离了根尖蛋白，这些蛋白的丰度、修饰或靶向性受到植物重新定位的影响。对这些蛋白质的初步研究表明，两种植物信号分子--细胞分裂素和多胺--在调控根的生长行为中发挥了作用。在这个项目中，将结合遗传、分子和细胞生物学策略来阐明它们在向重力性中的作用。这些实验将有助于更好地理解这些调节化合物对根向重力性的调节作用，将阐明一些参与其作用的分子，并识别在根尖表达依赖于它们的重力调节基因。总体而言，这些研究将阐明两种调节化合物的作用模式，这两种化合物有助于植物生长和发育的多个基本方面，并可能对农业和生态产生深远影响。包括一名非裔美国女性在内的两名研究生将实施这一项目，并培训本科生进行科学实验。此外，还将实施一项外展计划，每年夏天，一名K-12教师将加入该项目的实验室，与PI、学生和其他实验室成员合作，设计我们研究的教学材料，然后在课堂上进行测试。

Principle Investigator: Patrick H. MassonNSF Proposal Number IOB-0642865Title: Proteomics and Reverse Genetic Approaches to the Study of Root GravitropismAbstract. Gravitropism dictates upward shoot growth to environments that are suited for photosynthesis, gas exchange and reproduction, and programs downward root growth into the soil for water and nutrients uptake. Gravity sensing occurs mainly within specialized gravity perceiving cells at the tip of roots and around the vasculature in shoots. To better understand the mechanisms that govern gravity sensing in roots, root-tip proteins whose abundance, modification or targeting were affected by plant reorientation were isolated. Initial study of these proteins suggested a role for two plant-signaling molecules, cytokinins and polyamins, in the regulation of root growth behavior. In this project, a combination of genetic, molecular and cell biological strategies will be used to elucidate their role in gravitropism. These experiments will lead to a better understanding of these regulatory compounds' contribution to the regulation of root gravitropism, will elucidate some of the molecules that contribute to their action, and identify gravity-regulated genes whose expression in the root tip is dependent upon them. Overall, these studies will shed light on the mode of action of two regulatory compounds that contribute to multiple and fundamental aspects of plant growth and development, with potentially profound impact on agriculture and ecology. Two graduate students, including an African-American woman, will carry out this project, and train undergraduate students to scientific experimentation. Furthermore, an outreach program will be implemented whereby a K-12 teacher will join the lab each summer of the project to work in partnership with the PI, the students and other lab members to design instructional materials from our research to be subsequently tested in the classroom.