Growth and development of the wheat starch granule associated proteome during growth and development of the seed

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The growing human population relies on cereal grains for its major food source. The composition of grains like wheat, rice and maize have been analyzed biochemically and nutritionally to enhance their quantity and quality. Growth and development of the agronomy of cereal crops must be complemented by analysis of the grain kernels at many levels: understand the nutritional determinants, enhance molecular mechanisms to improve resistance to pathogens and pests, and allow us to better engineer industrial processes like starch coatings, malting and brewing and biofuels. This cereal proteomics program examines the seven to eight weeks of grain development in the standing crop at the highest possible level of resolution, protein mass spectrometry. The fastest way to dissect the genetic and metabolic regulatory networks governing grain development and in particular starch biosynthesis is by identifying all potential protein components at the granule surface. This program combines elements of plant biology, systems biology and subcellular microscopy. These series of investigations are overlayed with a broad scope proteomics approach using high-throughput mass spectrometry combined with liquid chromatography. Therefore, we propose specific research aims to improve our understanding of how granules grow inside growing endosperm cells. The program will also be an important resource for plant breeders and food biotechnologists because the discovered proteins can be deployed in the design of improved crops in both the non-food and food industries.