RIG: Analysis of the Role of Myosin XI in Plant Cell Polarized Growth

RIG：肌球蛋白 XI 在植物细胞极化生长中的作用分析

• 批准号: 1002837
• 负责人: Luis Vidali
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-09-01 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1002837&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RIG; Analysis; Role; Myosin; XI

Luis VidaliProposal # 0920276Title: RIG: Analysis of the Role of Myosin XI in Plant Cell Polarized GrowthPlant growth and development are achieved by the combined effect of two fundamental cellular processes, cell division and cell growth. This project aims at understanding an extreme form of polarized cell growth called tip growth, which occurs in root hairs, pollen tubes, and the filamentous cells of ferns and mosses. It is well established that tip growth is dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. This cytoskeleton is a cellular structure composed of nanometer size fibers. In cells, molecular motors called myosins interact with these fibers for contraction and intracellular transport. Despite the long known role of the actin cytoskeleton in tip growth, it is not known how this cytoskeleton is linked to growth. This project aims to evaluate if a plant specific myosin (myosin XI) is the link between the actin cytoskeleton and tip growth. To help understand myosin XI function, the investigators will determine its location within the cell. In addition, by preventing myosin XI expression, they will determine if myosin XI regulates the actin cytoskeleton or intracellular transport. These studies are being carried out in the emerging plant model, the moss Physcomitrella patens. This organism was chosen because of its unique genetic properties and simple development. Furthermore, a recently completed genome sequence facilitates the generation of molecular tools.As the primary producers of food and biofuel, plants are an essential component for the establishment of a sustainable future. Hence, understanding plant growth is an important endeavor of basic science, potentially becoming the basis of vital new technologies. The investigators are committed to increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in the life sciences. Throughout this project, students and postdoctoral researchers who are members of these groups will be actively recruited, trained and mentored. By coordinating with other organizations, support will be provided for undergraduate students to complete summer projects and full year internships.

题目：RIG: Myosin XI在植物细胞极化生长中的作用分析植物的生长和发育是通过两个基本细胞过程，细胞分裂和细胞生长的共同作用实现的。该项目旨在了解一种极端形式的极化细胞生长称为尖生长，发生在根毛，花粉管，以及蕨类植物和苔藓的丝状细胞。已经确定尖端生长依赖于肌动蛋白细胞骨架。这种细胞骨架是由纳米尺寸的纤维组成的细胞结构。在细胞中，称为肌球蛋白的分子马达与这些纤维相互作用，进行收缩和细胞内运输。尽管肌动蛋白细胞骨架在尖端生长中的作用早已为人所知，但尚不清楚这种细胞骨架是如何与生长联系在一起的。本项目旨在评估植物特异性肌凝蛋白（myosin XI）是否在肌动蛋白细胞骨架和尖端生长之间存在联系。为了帮助理解肌凝蛋白XI的功能，研究人员将确定其在细胞内的位置。此外，通过阻止myosin XI的表达，他们将确定myosin XI是否调节肌动蛋白细胞骨架或细胞内运输。这些研究是在新兴的植物模型中进行的，即苔藓小壶藓。选择这种生物是因为它独特的遗传特性和简单的发育。此外，最近完成的基因组序列促进了分子工具的产生。作为粮食和生物燃料的主要生产者，植物是建立可持续未来的重要组成部分。因此，了解植物生长是基础科学的一项重要努力，有可能成为重要新技术的基础。研究人员致力于增加代表性不足的群体在生命科学领域的参与。在整个项目中，作为这些小组成员的学生和博士后研究人员将被积极招募、培训和指导。通过与其他组织协调，为本科生完成暑期项目和全年实习提供支持。