Evolutionary analysis of heterotrimeric G-protein function in plants

植物异源三聚体G蛋白功能的进化分析

• 批准号: 1157944
• 负责人: Sona Pandey
• 金额: $ 57.83万
• 依托单位: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-05-01 至 2016-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1157944&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Evolutionary; analysis; heterotrimeric; protein; function

Intellectual Merit: Heterotrimeric G-proteins consisting of Galpha, Gbeta and Ggamma subunits regulate some of the most important signaling pathways in eukaryotes. In metazoans, evolutionary diversification has led to the presence of a large number of G-proteins and associated components that regulate a multitude of signaling pathways with a high degree of specificity. In contrast, plants have a very limited number of G-proteins that integrate a plethora of signaling pathways to modulate overall growth and development. This observation has led to the hypothesis that the plant G-proteins have evolved differently from the metazoan G-proteins in accordance with the sedentary lifestyle of plants. Detailed studies of the structure/function attributes of plant G-proteins is currently mostly limited to Arabidopsis which restricts the knowledge of why and when during evolution the plant G-proteins emerged as modulators of multiple signals. It is also not known if the G-proteins have evolved to play critical roles in biological processes that are unique to specific plant lineages. Furthermore, the presence of certain unconventional G-protein components in plants suggests their role(s) in regulating novel, as yet unexplored G-proteins signaling mechanisms. The availability of fully sequenced genomes from a number of plant species at important evolutionary nodes and the PIs extensive experience working with G-protein signaling using complementary approaches including biochemical, molecular-genetics and genome/proteome-scale analyses, puts her in an excellent position to address some of the key questions related to the plant G-protein signaling. Towards this, important preliminary data have been generated related to G-proteins components and their activity from Arabidopsis, rice, soybean, Physcomitrella, Selaginella, Brachypodium and Aquilegia. This research has been developed with the overall objective to understand the functional evolution of the G-protein core components and their interaction in plants, and to infer the conventional and novel signaling mechanisms and their role in regulating signaling pathways involved in plant adaptation and yield. To accomplish this objective, following specific aims will be pursued: Aim 1. Biochemical characterization of the enzymatically active proteins of the G-protein complex in the context of their evolutionary diversification Aim 2. Evaluation of the role of G-proteins from across different taxa in regulating the signaling pathways important in the context of land plant evolution The material and intellectual resources generated from this research will be made publicly available through the Arabidopsis stock center and through our website. The long term benefits of the research include comprehensive knowledge of the evolution of G-protein components and signaling mechanisms in plants and their roles in regulating pathways controlling agronomically important traits. Broader Impact: This research addresses the fundamental aspects of plant signaling and evolution. Given the involvement of G-protein in regulating important agronomic traits such as seed development and physiology, abiotic stress tolerance and water use efficiency, the knowledge gained from this research will be useful for engineering important agricultural traits to the benefit of society. Moreover, the research specifically incorporates training for high-school students and teachers through the STARS program and undergraduate students through the REU program. The PI is actively involved in recruiting, mentoring and training of undergraduate students as a co-director of the Danforth Center REU program; and graduate students through her participation in Washington University plant biology recruitment, thesis committees and teaching. The proposed research offers multidisciplinary training to the post-docs in various aspects of modern plant biology. The PI is strongly committed to provide training and mentoring opportunities to post-docs to help them establish their independent careers. The PI is actively involved in developing scientific awareness in the local community through multiple volunteering programs offered at the Center, including participation in the ¡¥Ask a Plant Scientist¡¦ column and ¡¥Conversations¡¦ series, which offers an interactive session between local public and scientists.

智力优势：异三聚体g蛋白由Galpha， Gbeta和gamma亚基组成，调节真核生物中一些最重要的信号通路。在后生动物中，进化多样化导致大量g蛋白和相关成分的存在，这些成分以高度特异性调节多种信号通路。相比之下，植物只有非常有限的g蛋白，它们整合了大量的信号通路来调节整体的生长和发育。这一观察结果导致了一种假设，即植物g蛋白与后生动物g蛋白的进化方式不同，与植物的久坐生活方式相一致。目前对植物g蛋白结构/功能属性的详细研究主要局限于拟南芥，这限制了对植物g蛋白在进化过程中为何以及何时作为多种信号调节剂出现的认识。目前还不清楚g蛋白是否已经进化到在特定植物谱系特有的生物过程中发挥关键作用。此外，植物中某些非常规g蛋白成分的存在表明它们在调节新的，尚未探索的g蛋白信号传导机制中的作用。在重要的进化节点上，许多植物物种的全基因组测序的可用性以及PIs使用包括生化，分子遗传学和基因组/蛋白质组级分析在内的互补方法研究g蛋白信号的丰富经验，使她处于解决与植物g蛋白信号相关的一些关键问题的绝佳位置。为此，对拟南芥、水稻、大豆、小立藓、卷柏属、短茅属和水杨花等植物的g蛋白组分及其活性进行了重要的初步研究。本研究旨在了解植物中g蛋白核心组分的功能进化及其相互作用，推断植物适应和产量过程中涉及的传统和新型信号通路及其调控作用。为实现这一目标，将追求以下具体目标：目标1。g蛋白复合体酶活性蛋白在其进化多样化背景下的生化特性来自不同分类群的g蛋白在调节陆地植物进化中重要信号通路中的作用的评估本研究产生的材料和智力资源将通过拟南芥库存中心和我们的网站公开提供。这项研究的长期好处包括全面了解植物中g蛋白成分的进化和信号机制，以及它们在控制农艺重要性状的调控途径中的作用。更广泛的影响：本研究解决了植物信号和进化的基本方面。鉴于g蛋白参与调节重要的农艺性状，如种子发育和生理、非生物胁迫耐受性和水分利用效率，本研究获得的知识将有助于重要农业性状的工程设计，造福社会。此外，该研究特别纳入了通过STARS计划对高中生和教师的培训，以及通过REU计划对本科生的培训。作为丹佛斯中心REU项目的联合主任，PI积极参与本科生的招聘、指导和培训；通过她参与华盛顿大学植物生物学的招聘、论文委员会和教学。本研究为博士后提供现代植物生物学各方面的多学科培训。PI坚定地致力于为博士后提供培训和指导机会，帮助他们建立独立的职业生涯。通过中心提供的多种志愿服务项目，PI积极参与当地社区的科学意识发展，包括参与“问植物科学家”专栏和“对话”系列，该系列提供了当地公众和科学家之间的互动会议。