Metabolism and functions of GABA

GABA 的代谢和功能

• 批准号: 42718-2009
• 负责人: Shelp, Barry
• 金额: $ 5.32万
• 依托单位: University of Guelph
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=521664
• 关键词: Metabolism; functions; GABA

At a time when the entire set of gene and protein sequences in plants is becoming available, there is increasing need to understand protein structure/function and metabolic regulation. For the past two decades, my laboratory has developed internationally recognized leadership in the metabolism and function(s) in plants, of the amino acid gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) and the short-chain fatty acid gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which closely resembles GABA. They are endogenous constituents of the mammalian nervous system, wherein GABA plays a role in neural transmission and development, and functions through interactions with specialized receptors, and GHB serves as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator postulated to act via a GABAB receptor or an independent GHB-specific receptor. The physiological roles of GABA and GHB in plants are not yet clear, but evidence suggests that they are linked to stress and communication. Our research involves an innovative and integrative approach using physiological, biochemical, and biotechnological methods to identify and understand the regulation of genes/proteins and pathways associated with these metabolites. Our results will not only advance fundamental knowledge, but also suggest potential targets for engineering stress resistance or the synthesis of novel bioplastics in plants, as well as biomarkers for stress-induced injury.

当植物中的整套基因和蛋白质序列变得可用时，越来越需要了解蛋白质结构/功能和代谢调节。在过去的二十年里，我的实验室在植物中氨基酸γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）和短链脂肪酸γ-羟基丁酸（GHB）（与GABA非常相似）的代谢和功能方面取得了国际公认的领导地位。它们是哺乳动物神经系统的内源性成分，其中GABA在神经传递和发育中起作用，并通过与专门受体的相互作用发挥功能，GHB作为神经递质或神经调质，假定通过GABAB受体或独立的GHB特异性受体起作用。GABA和GHB在植物中的生理作用尚不清楚，但有证据表明它们与压力和交流有关。我们的研究涉及一种创新和综合的方法，使用生理，生物化学和生物技术方法来识别和理解与这些代谢物相关的基因/蛋白质和途径的调节。我们的研究结果不仅将推进基础知识，而且还为植物工程抗逆或新型生物塑料的合成提供了潜在目标，以及胁迫诱导损伤的生物标志物。