Biosynthesis of Indolic Phytoalexins: Mechanisms of Plant Innate Immune Response

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究计划描述了拟南芥植物抗毒素生物发生的研究计划的发展。我们将从研究camalexin的生物合成途径开始，camalexin是一种植物抗菌素，作为诱导防御反应的一部分产生。我们研究拟南芥植物抗毒素途径的两阶段计划的第一部分将通过与MGH的Ausubel实验室合作，重点研究camalexin生物合成基因的鉴定。在培训期间，我将参加相关的会议和研讨会，并定期与三位资深顾问进行咨询，建立项目及时推进所需的技能。在项目的第二个独立阶段，我将对第一阶段收集的数据所涉及的候选植物抗毒素途径酶进行生化表征。我希望这项工作将成为一个跳板，为制定一个新的研究计划，利用遗传学、化学和生物化学的结合来阐明植物次生代谢物的生物合成途径。更深入地了解这些途径不仅将阐明宿主-病原体相互作用的分子细节，而且还可能对人类健康产生重要影响，因为植物天然产物作为临床使用的药物有着良好的记录。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research proposal describes the development of a research program to study the biogenesis of Arabidopsis phytoalexins. We will begin by investigating the biosynthetic pathway of camalexin, a phytoalexin produced as part of the induced defense response. The first part of our two-phase plan for studying Arabidopsis phytoalexin pathways will focus on the identification of camalexin biosynthetic genes through a collaboration with the Ausubel lab at MGH. During this training period, I will attend relevant meetings and workshops, and I will consult regularly with three senior advisors to establish skills required for timely advance of the project. During the second, independent phase of the project I will biochemically characterize candidate phytoalexin pathway enzymes implicated by the data gathered during phase one. I expect that this work will serve as a springboard for the formulation of a new research program that uses a combination of genetics, chemistry, and biochemistry to elucidate secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways in plants. A deeper understanding of these pathways will not only illuminate the molecular details of host-pathogen interactions, but it is also likely to have an important impact on human health, given the strong track record of plant natural products as clinically-used medicines. Public Health Relevance: Plants produce a wealth of secondary metabolites for defense against destructive pests. The research program outlined in this proposal explores components of plant immune response pathways as well as the production, distribution, and metabolism of the contributing small molecules. These compounds are contained in commonly consumed vegetables and have been found to have beneficial effects on human health.