Dissection of an EDM2-dependent signaling mechanism mediating resistance to Hyaloperonospora parasitica in Arabidopsis

介导拟南芥寄生玻璃霜霉抗性的 EDM2 依赖性信号机制的剖析

• 批准号: 1052556
• 负责人: Thomas Eulgem
• 金额: $ 11.6万
• 依托单位: University of California-Riverside
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-05-15 至 2012-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1052556&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissection; EDM2; dependent; signaling; mechanism

Immunity of plants against pathogenic microorganisms is often mediated by disease resistance genes (aka R-genes). R-genes encode proteins that trigger immune responses upon specific interactions with pathogen molecules. Each plant is equipped with a large number of R-genes that protect it against a wide variety of pathogens. This project is focused on the EDM2 gene of the model plant species Arabidopsis. EDM2 has previously been shown to contribute to plant immunity by activating some R-genes. However, mechanistic details of this process are unknown. Preliminary results of the investigators indicate that EDM2 controls the status of chromatin. Chromatin consists of DNA and various DNA-bound proteins. If the chromatin status of a given gene is compact, the respective gene is inactive. Activation of a gene requires de-compaction of its chromatin by loosening the binding of proteins to its DNA. Using methods of molecular biology and biochemistry the investigators will examine how EDM2 controls the chromatin status of R-genes. Based on their preliminary results they anticipate that the protein encoded by EDM2 is recruited to some R-genes by docking to specific features of chromatin at these genes and that it locally modifies their chromatin. Besides providing deep insight into the function of EDM2 and its role in plant immunity, this project will also widen our understanding of chromatin dynamics. This knowledge will facilitate the development of new strategies to improve disease resistance and other important traits of crop plants. Furthermore, the project will provide training to post-doctoral scientists as well as undergraduate students.

植物对病原微生物的免疫通常是由抗病基因（又名r基因）介导的。r基因编码的蛋白质在与病原体分子的特定相互作用时触发免疫反应。每一种植物都配备了大量的r基因，保护它免受各种各样的病原体的侵害。本项目主要研究模式植物拟南芥的EDM2基因。EDM2先前已被证明通过激活一些r基因来促进植物免疫。然而，这一过程的机制细节尚不清楚。研究人员的初步结果表明，EDM2控制着染色质的状态。染色质由DNA和各种DNA结合蛋白组成。如果一个给定基因的染色质状态是紧密的，那么相应的基因是不活跃的。基因的激活需要通过放松蛋白质与DNA的结合来解除染色质的紧实。利用分子生物学和生物化学的方法，研究人员将研究EDM2如何控制r基因的染色质状态。根据他们的初步结果，他们预测EDM2编码的蛋白质通过与这些基因上染色质的特定特征对接而被招募到一些r基因上，并在局部修饰它们的染色质。除了深入了解EDM2的功能及其在植物免疫中的作用外，该项目还将拓宽我们对染色质动力学的理解。这些知识将有助于开发新的策略来提高作物的抗病性和其他重要性状。此外，该项目将为博士后科学家和本科生提供培训。