EAPSI: Investigating the regulatory Mechanisms of Plant Thimet Oligopeptidases

植物病害在全球范围内造成数十亿美元的农作物损失。水杨酸(SA)是一种重要的植物激素，在免疫信号和防御反应的激活中起着核心作用。这种激素引发了一系列调节基因表达和蛋白质活性的效应。该项目探索了两种水杨酸结合蛋白--硫氰酸寡肽酶1和2(TOP1和TOP2)的活性和蛋白质相互作用的调节方法。该研究项目将在日本横山的理研研究所进行。该项目将是与Ken Shirasu博士的合作努力，Ken Shirasu博士处于植物免疫和水杨酸相关研究的前沿。Shirasu博士隶属于著名的理研研究所，该研究所拥有一个最先进的研究中心，拥有进行研究项目所需的所有设备和设施。该项目将研究TOP1和TOP2的酶活性和多聚体形成。有证据表明，TOP的活性受氧化还原敏感键的控制；然而，TOP1和TOP2的氧化还原调节和激素调节的多肽加工的程度和动力学尚未确定。该项目的目标是研究决定多肽酶对SA的敏感性和细胞氧化还原状态的蛋白质的关键成分。为此，将评估TOPS和各种TOP缺失/替换突变体在不同SA浓度和还原/氧化环境下的活性和寡聚作用。这些发现将进一步加深我们对植物中激素控制和氧化还原调节的肽酶加工的潜在枢纽的理解。该NSF EAPSI奖是与日本科学促进会(JSPS)合作资助的。

Plant diseases result in multi-billion dollar crop loss worldwide. Salicylic acid (SA) is a vital plant hormone that plays a central role in immune signaling and activation of defense responses. The hormone elicits a cascade of effects that regulates gene expression and protein activity. The project explores the means in which the activity and protein-interactions of two salicylic acid binding proteins, thimet oligopeptidase 1 and 2 (TOP1 & TOP2) are regulated. The research project will be conducted at RIKEN institute in Yohokama, Japan. The project will be a collaborative effort with Dr. Ken Shirasu, who is at the forefront of research pertaining to plant immunity and salicylic acid. Dr. Shirasu belongs to the renowned RIKEN research institute which houses a state-of-the-art research center with all the equipment and facilities needed to conduct the research project.The project will investigate the enzymatic activity and multimer formation of TOP1 and TOP2. Evidence suggests that TOP activity is governed by redox-sensitive bonds; however, the extent and dynamics of the redox-regulated and hormone-regulated peptide processing of TOP1 and TOP2 have yet to be determined. The objective of the project is to investigate the key components of the proteins that dictate the perceptivity of the peptidases towards SA and the cellular redox state. In order to do this, the activities and oligomerization of TOPs and various TOP deletion/substitution mutants will be assessed under different SA concentrations and reducing/oxidizing environments. The findings will further our understanding of a potential hub of hormone-controlled and redox-regulated peptidase processing in plants. This NSF EAPSI award is funded in collaboration with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).