Ca2+ Waves in Systemic Signaling Networks in Plants

智慧价值植物生活方式的不可移动性要求有能力持续监测当地条件，并在这些条件发生变化时触发反应以帮助应对。刺激通常是高度局部化的，但反应必须发生在整个植物体内。因此，植物内部的信号网络不仅必须在直接接收刺激的细胞内传播信息，而且还必须在更长的距离上传播信息。这个项目试图确定钙离子如何在这个长距离信号系统中发挥作用。初步工作表明，对局部胁迫的反应，如叶片受伤或根部周围盐分水平的增加，钙离子波在几秒钟内从感受胁迫的位置传播到植物的远处。这一初步分析还强调了活性氧物种(ROS)和名为TPC1的离子通道在这个快速传播的钙波系统中的潜在作用。因此，该项目的主要研究目标是利用通过基因工程产生基于蛋白质的钙离子报告器的植物来监测和表征胁迫感知部位和传递这一信号的组织中的钙变化。然后将监测依赖于钙离子波的分子变化，以确定钙离子波与其他明确的植物胁迫反应途径之间的关系，例如由ROS和防御激素茉莉酸和水杨酸触发的那些途径。第三个目标将是改造TPC1基因来改变这一离子通道的调节，使其不再对ROS或钙离子做出反应。然后将评估这些突变版本的通道支持钙波运动的能力。通过追求这三个目标，这项研究计划将有助于确定这个新发现的钙波信号系统如何在帮助植物适应不断变化的环境中发挥作用。本科生的研究机会将通过本科生研究学者计划和从Posse基金会成员中招募来提供，这些计划促进了科学中代表性不足的群体的代表性。还将为高中研究人员提供机会。除了他们的研究培训，这些学者将被鼓励在地方、国家和国际会议上介绍他们的工作。此外，还将通过威斯康星探索学院科学节、威斯康星科学探险和威斯康星探索学院星期六科学等活动，在地方一级努力向普通公众宣传。还将开发通过YouTube等渠道传播的植物生物学电影资源。这一资源将通过电影和对植物反应的解释吸引普通公众，同时也为他们提供接触图像背后的科学的途径。

Intellectual MeritThe immobile nature of the plant lifestyle requires an ability to continuously monitor local conditions and trigger responses to help cope as these conditions change. Stimuli are often highly localized, yet responses must occur throughout the plant body. Thus, the signaling networks within plants must broadcast information not only within the cells directly receiving the stimulus but also over much longer distances. This project seeks to define how the calcium ion plays a role in this long-distance signaling system. Preliminary work has revealed that in response to local stress, such as wounding of the leaf or increasing levels of salt around the root, waves of Ca2+ propagate from the site of stress perception to distant regions of the plant within seconds. This preliminary analysis has also highlighted a potential role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an ion channel named TPC1 in this rapidly propagating Ca2+ wave system. The major research goals to be undertaken in this project are therefore to use plants engineered to produce protein-based Ca2+ reporters to monitor and characterize the Ca2+ changes both at the site of stress perception and in the tissues transmitting this signal. Molecular changes dependent on the Ca2+ wave will then be monitored to define the relationship between the Ca2+ wave and other well-defined plant stress response pathways such as those triggered by ROS and the defense hormones jasmonic- and salicylic-acid. The third goal will be to engineer the TPC1 gene to alter the regulation of this ion channel such that it should no longer respond to ROS or Ca2+. The ability of these mutated versions of the channel to support the movement of the Ca2+ wave will then be assessed. Through pursuing these three goals, this research program will help define how this newly discovered Ca2+ wave signaling system plays a role in helping plants adapt to a constantly changing environment.Broader ImpactsThis project will integrate research and education. Research opportunities for undergraduates will be offered through programs such as the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program and recruitment from members of the Posse Foundation that promote the representation of underrepresented groups in science. Opportunities for high school researchers will also be made available. Along with their research training these scholars will be encouraged to present their work at local, national and international meetings. In addition, efforts at outreach to the general public will be made at the local level through events such as the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery Science Festival, Wisconsin Science Expeditions and Saturday Science at The Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery. A plant biology movie resource, disseminated through outlets such as YouTube, will also be developed. This resource will be directed towards engaging the general public through movies and explanations of plant responses, whilst also providing them with access to the science behind the images.