A structural and functional study of the ion channel SLAC1 and its activating kinase OST1 which mediate drought tolerance in plants

介导植物耐旱性的离子通道 SLAC1 及其激活激酶 OST1 的结构和功能研究

• 批准号: 317774432
• 负责人: Dr. Chris Fröhlich
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Fellowships
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 德国
• 起止时间: 2015-12-31 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/317774432?language=en
• 关键词: structural; functional; study; ion; channel

The anion channel SLAC1 is specifically expressed in guard cells of plants. Guard cells surround small pores in the lower leave epidermis called stomata. OST1 kinase-mediated activation of SLAC1 leads to ion efflux which, in turn, causes decrease of turgor pressure in guard cells. Reduced turgor pressure in guard cells ultimately causes stomata to close making SLAC1 and OST1 pivotal elements in the process of stomatal closure. The evolution and global distribution of advanced terrestrial plants is closely related to the acquisition of the aforementioned mechanism as it limits water loss by plants in response to drought. This project is aimed to understand the molecular mechanism that controls this process. To this end, the full length structure of SLAC1 bound to its activating kinase OST1 will be solved and structure-based functional studies will be conducted. This project will help to explain the gating- and OST1 kinase-mediated activation mechanism of the plant ion channel SLAC1. Furthermore, it will set the stage for understanding the molecular basis mediating drought tolerance in plants which is central to engineer improved crops able to efficiently grow under limited supply of water.

阴离子通道SLAC1在植物保卫细胞中特异表达。保卫细胞包围着叶下表皮的气孔。OST 1激酶介导的SLAC1激活导致离子流出，这反过来又导致保卫细胞中的膨压降低。保卫细胞膨压降低最终导致气孔关闭，使SLAC1和OST 1成为气孔关闭过程中的关键元件。高级陆生植物的进化和全球分布与上述机制的获得密切相关，因为它限制了植物对干旱的反应。该项目旨在了解控制这一过程的分子机制。为此，SLAC1与其活化激酶OST 1结合的全长结构将得到解决，并将进行基于结构的功能研究。本项目将有助于解释植物离子通道SLAC1的门控和OST 1激酶介导的激活机制。此外，它将为理解介导植物耐旱性的分子基础奠定基础，这对于设计能够在有限的水供应下有效生长的改良作物至关重要。