Suberin: Biosynthesis, Form and Function

Suberin是一种不寻常的植物聚合物。它给根和块茎组织一个“软木”屏障，防止水分流失，并保护免受疾病生物。此外，在伤口愈合过程中形成新的木栓质。在这种情况下，木栓质沉积用于密封暴露的组织。伤口木栓质还可以防止水分流失和疾病。Suberin的保护作用使作物育种者感兴趣。它代表了对疾病、干旱和盐胁迫的天然抵抗力的来源。然而，几乎没有直接证据表明木栓质作为一种保护物质具有广泛的作用。木栓素的两个方面仍然知之甚少。聚合物的物理结构，以及木栓质生物合成和沉积的控制。这种知识的缺乏阻碍了对这种非凡的聚合物作为天然植物防御的进一步探索。这一建议将（1）增加对木栓素的生物合成、沉积和结构的理解，（2）证明其作为抵抗病原体的保护屏障的广泛作用。完成后，我们将能够通过常规育种操纵木栓质水平。这将导致新的作物品种，增强对降低粮食产量的病原体的天然防御。它还将导致新的作物品种，增强对干旱和盐胁迫的耐受性。

Suberin is an unusual plant polymer. It gives root and tuber tissue a “corky” barrier against water loss and protects against disease organisms. In addition, new suberin is formed during wound-healing. In this context, suberin deposition serves to seal exposed tissues. Wound suberin also prevents water loss and disease. Suberin's protective roles make it interesting to crop breeders. It represents a source of natural resistance to disease, drought and salt stress. However, there is little direct evidence for the wide spread role of suberin as a protective substance. Two aspects of suberin remain poorly understood. The physical structure of the polymer, and the control of suberin biosynthesis and deposition. This lack of knowledge inhibits further exploration of this remarkable polymer as a natural plant defense. This proposal will (1) increase understanding of the biosynthesis, deposition and structure of suberin, and (2) demonstrate its broad effect as a protective barrier against pathogens. Upon completion we will be able to manipulate suberin levels through conventional breeding. This will lead to new crop varieties with enhanced, natural defenses against the pathogens that reduce food product yields. It will also lead to new crop varieties with enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress.