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

乙烯信号是植物中许多环境响应和发育线索的核心，包括例如果实成熟和正常的根发育。乙烯通过（类细菌）双组分传感器ETR 1感测。这种传感器在真核生物中是罕见的。ETR1需要铜，以结合到乙烯效应，最有可能通过一个不寻常的阳离子π相互作用。研究小组发现了一种假定的铜蛋白，它是ETR1激活所必需的。这种新的蛋白质在金属结合，特别是在铜供应ETR1的作用将被探讨。该项目利用互补的化学和生物学设施，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.