RUI: Spatiotemporal mapping of the membrane trafficking networks involved in secretion and autophagy in the unicellular zygnematophyte, Penium margaritaceum

本研究项目的目标是提供一个全面的检查膜运输网络内的细胞参与处理的广泛的细胞外基质（ECM）的Penium margaritaceum，单细胞zygnematophyte，或藻类，其祖先引起了陆地植物。这是很重要的，因为目前，没有详细的地图的膜运输网络Penium或任何其他zygnematophytes存在。 负责ECM生产的膜运输网络对于古代陆地化（从海洋到陆地的移动）至关重要。 今天，这些网络负责支持主要淡水群落中的接合植物，包括短暂的开花和生物膜。该项目将通过使用高分辨率电子显微镜分析构建细胞内膜的结构模型，并使用靶向化学和抗体试剂解释特定膜成分的功能。该项目不仅将提供关键的洞察ECM分泌动力学在植物和膜贩运事件是关键的植物运动到土地，但也将扩大机会，为斯基德莫尔大学本科生和当地高中生从事一个有意义的细胞生物学研究计划，利用新的空间和可用的设备在新开设的中心综合科学（CIS）。它还将包括一个独特的培训和指导计划的博士后研究人员，将涉及在研究和准备在本科院校的潜在职业生涯的参与。这个项目将调查的结构和功能的亚细胞机制与生产的广泛的胞外基质的Zygnematophycean藻类，组的绿色藻类最密切相关的和祖先的陆地植物。 该项目将产生的模型，合成的架构和功能的膜运输网络参与ECM分泌，胞质分裂，空泡动力学和自噬的模型单细胞zynematophyte，Penium margaritaceum。它将使用多种显微镜工具、断层扫描、免疫标记和实验分析来获取数据，以绘制详细的贩运网络地图和三维模型。这些将提供关键的洞察快速细胞生长和相关的分泌活动，许多zynematophytes表现出形成短暂的花朵和生物膜时。它将阐明这些网络在细胞暴露于各种非生物应激源和有针对性的化学试剂的调制。这个项目也将提供显着的洞察独特的沟细胞板系统胞质分裂和植物成膜体/细胞板的演变过程中使用。最后，它将提供关于空泡和自噬的新信息，本研究由生物科学理事会分子和细胞生物科学部的细胞动力学和功能小组资助。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查进行评估，被认为值得支持的搜索.

The goal of this research project is to provide a comprehensive examination of the membrane trafficking networks inside the cell involved in the processing of the extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) of Penium margaritaceum, a single-celled zygnematophyte, or algae, whose ancestors gave rise to land plants. This is important because at present, no detailed maps of the membrane trafficking network of Penium or any other zygnematophytes exist. Membrane trafficking networks responsible for the production of the ECM were critical for ancient terrestrialization (movement from sea to land). Today, these networks are responsible for supporting zygnematophytes in major freshwater communities, including ephemeral blooms and biofilms. This project will construct structural models of the membranes inside the cell by using high resolution, electron microscopy analyses, and the functions of specific membrane components will be explained using targeted chemical and antibody agents. This project will not only provide critical insight into the ECM secretion dynamics in plants and membrane trafficking events that were key in plant movement to land, but will also expand opportunities for Skidmore College undergraduates and local high school students to engage in a meaningful cell biology research program using new space and available equipment at the newly opened Center for Integrative Sciences (CIS). It will also include a unique training and mentoring program for a postdoctoral researcher that will involve participation in the research and preparation for a potential career at an undergraduate institution.This project will investigate the structure and function of the subcellular machinery associated with the production of the extensive extracellular matrix of Zygnematophycean algae, the group of green algae most closely related and ancestral to land plants. The project will yield models that synthesize the architecture and function of the membrane trafficking networks involved with ECM secretion, cytokinesis, vacuolar dynamics and autophagy in the model unicellular zygnematophyte, Penium margaritaceum. It will use multiple microscopy tools, tomography, immunolabeling and experimental analyses to acquire data for the construction of detailed maps and 3-D models of the trafficking networks. These will provide key insight into the rapid cell growth and associated hyper-secretory activity that many zygnematophytes exhibit when forming ephemeral blooms and biofilms. It will elucidate modulations of these networks in cells exposed to various abiotic stressors and targeted chemical agents. This project will also provide significant insight into the unique furrow-cell plate system employed during cytokinesis and the evolution of the plant phragmoplast/cell plate. Finally, it will provide new information about vacuole- and autophagy-based compartments and their functional roles in zygnematophytes.This research is funded by the Cellular Dynamics and Function cluster in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences in the Directorate of Biological Sciences.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.