Heterotrimeric G Protein Signaling in Arabidopsis

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In most metazoans, different heterotrimeric G protein complexes couple many different upstream signals to different downstream effectors such as adenyl cyclase, ion channels, and phospholipases. However, in Arabidopsis, there is only a single canonical heterotrimeric G protein complex that nonetheless controls different plant responses. We do not know how this is accomplished nor do we know what receptors activate this G protein complex. Recent technical advances from my group using both gain- and loss-of-function approaches to understand the function of Arabidopsis G protein subunits will enable us to determine the molecular role of this G protein complex in various signaling pathways. There are three focus areas for this project: auxin control of root development, hypocotyl development; and multi-signal control of seed germination. Specifically, we will: 1. determine auxin responsiveness of G protein mutants and overexpressors and examine the signal cross-talk controlling seed germination, 2. identify and characterize genetic and physical interactors of Galpha and Gbeta using extragenic suppressor screens including activation mutagenesis and using cytosolic protein-protein interaction assays, and 3. test putative functions of a small set of candidate GPCRs using reverse genetic approaches. In summary, the goal is to test the hypothesis that auxin utilizes heterotrimeric G proteins in signal transduction. This work also addresses a longstanding problem on the mechanism of signal cross-talk. Because, the single Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein appears to be central to multiple signal pathways, genetic studies using Arabidopsis may reveal the core mechanism of signal integration, which is likely to be shared universally.