Functions of aquaporins in plants

水通道蛋白是在细胞膜中形成通道以促进水和其他小分子通过的蛋白质。由于水通道蛋白调节水分运输，它们也是理解植物水分关系的关键。此外，最近的研究结果指出，水通道蛋白在运输气体和参与气体交换和信号传导过程的其他分子中的功能重要性。水通道蛋白介导的转运过程的调节涉及受内部和环境因素影响的复杂过程。拟议的研究包括将在受控环境条件下进行的研究，以检查水通道蛋白的功能以及这些蛋白质在植物对环境因素的反应中的意义。该研究将使用整株植物生理学，细胞生理学和分子生物学方法的组合来解决研究问题。我的研究的长期目标是：1）扩大有关植物和真菌水通道蛋白的功能意义的知识;和2）培养研究生和博士后研究员，为他们提供最先进的水通道蛋白研究的当前知识和熟悉程度，成为未来的领导者在这一重要的科学领域。本研究的具体目的是：1）通过对水孔蛋白结构和功能特性的研究，了解耐盐盐植物水孔蛋白的耐盐特性; 2）阐明水力信号在双色蜡蚧（Laccaria bicolor）根水孔蛋白表达调控中的作用; 3）确定水孔蛋白介导的二氧化碳运输在根外生菌根结构发育中的作用; 4）检查不同水通道蛋白同种型的水和气体运输特性与它们在根和叶组织中的分布的关系;和5）确定AQP介导的氧运输在植物耐水淹性中的重要性。该项目是我的研究的直接延续，旨在了解水通道蛋白的功能，这是了解植物如何运输，使用和保存水和气体的关键。这些知识对许多研究领域产生了重大影响，并具有重要的实际应用，特别是在农业，园艺和林业领域。

Aquaporins are proteins which form channels in cell membranes to facilitate the passage of water and other small molecules. Since aquaporins regulate water transport, they are also the key to understanding plant water relations. Additionally, recent findings point to the functional importance of aquaporins in the transport of gases and other molecules participating in gas exchange and signalling processes. Regulation of aquaporin-mediated transport processes involves complex processes that are affected by internal and environmental factors. The proposed research consists of studies that will be carried out under controlled-environment conditions to examine the functions of aquaporins and the significance of these proteins in plant responses to environmental factors. The research will use a combination of the whole plant physiology, cell physiology, and molecular biology approach to address the study questions. The long-term goals of my research are to: 1) Expand the knowledge concerning the functional significance of plant and fungal aquaporins; and 2) Train the graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to provide them with the current knowledge and familiarity of the state-of-the art aquaporin research to become future leaders in this important area of science. The specific objectives of the studies are to: 1) Understand the salt tolerance features of aquaporins in salt-resistant, halophytic, plants by examining their structural and functional properties; 2) Explain the role of hydraulic signals in regulation of root aquaporin expression by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor; 3) Determine the role of aquaporin-mediated carbon dioxide transport in the development of root ectomycorrhizal structures; 4) Examine water and gas transport properties of different aquaporin isoforms in relation to their distribution in root and leaf tissues; and 5) Determine the importance of AQP-mediated oxygen transport in flooding tolerance of plants. The proposed project is a direct continuation of my research aimed at understanding the functions of aquaporins, which is the key to understanding how water and gases are transported, used, and conserved by plants. This knowledge has a significant impact on many research areas and has important practical applications, especially in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.