Copper-handling by Polaris and the metalation-status of ETR1

乙烯信号是植物许多环境反应和发育信号的核心，例如，果实成熟和正常的根发育。乙烯是通过(类似细菌的)双组分传感器ETR1来感知的。这样的传感器在真核生物中很少见。ETR1需要铜才能与乙烯效应器结合，很可能是通过一种不寻常的阳离子-圆周率相互作用。该研究小组发现了一种可能的铜蛋白，它是激活ETR1所必需的。这个新的蛋白质在金属结合中的作用，特别是在向ETR1供应铜的过程中的作用将被探索。该项目利用补充化学和生物学设施，提供生物无机化学、分子遗传学和金属细胞生物学方面的培训。

Ethylene signaling is central to numerous environmental responses and developmental cues in plants including, for example, fruit ripening and normal root development. Ethylene is sensed via a (bacterial-like) two component sensor ETR1. Such sensors are rare in eukaryotes. ETR1 needs copper in order to bind to the ethylene-effector, most likely via an unusual cation-pi interaction. The team has discovered a putative copper-protein that is required for ETR1 activation. Roles of this novel protein in metal-binding and especially in copper supply to ETR1 will be explored. The project exploits complementary Chemistry and Biology facilities to provide training in bio-inorganic chemistry, molecular genetics and the cell biology of metals.