Peeling off the secrets of Populus trichocarpa defences

揭开毛果杨防御的秘密

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04772
• 负责人: GonzalesVigil, Eliana
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=737849
• 关键词: Peeling; off; secrets; Populus; trichocarpa

Plant specialized metabolites (traditionally called secondary metabolites) are compounds whose biosynthesis is restricted to specific lineages and play key roles in ecological interactions. Plants acquire the ability to synthesize new specialized metabolites as a strategy to cope with biotic and abiotic stress when the environment changes. The long-term vision of my research program is to understand this biochemical response by exploring the natural diversity of specialized metabolites, figuring out how new metabolites are synthesized, and ultimately deciphering how they help the plant thrive in a challenging environment. My proposed NSERC research program focuses on waxes and terpenes from the black cottonwood tree (Populus trichocarpa, poplar) as model systems. Among the traits that plants use to deter invaders, the cuticle and the waxes contained within the cuticle constitute the first barrier against a hostile environment. To investigate the role of the cuticular waxes and individual wax components, we will exploit the extensive variation in wax composition and abundance present in a collection of naturally occurring genotypes of P. trichocarpa. We have shown that alkenes, a type of organic compound, are major components of the wax of black cottonwood leaves. Interestingly, despite the many industrial uses of alkenes, the way by which they are produced in plants was completely unknown. My previous work identified the first enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of alkenes. This discovery has opened the doors to the study of a new pathway for the biosynthesis of cuticular waxes. However, there are still several key areas that need to be investigated if we want to harness cuticular wax diversity as a protection mechanism against environmental stress. In the proposed research we will address the following short-term objectives: 1- Identify and characterize the genes involved in regulating and producing alkenes; 2- Investigate the role of cuticular waxes against environmental stresses; and 3- Develop the tools and methods required to study terpenes, another group of defence compounds of the black cottonwood tree. Even though the underlying question driving my research is why plants synthesize specialized metabolites, the knowledge generated has potential applications in crop improvement and industry. By understanding the biosynthesis and ecological role of specialized metabolites we will be able to breed or engineer plants better adapted to specific environments. Moreover, waxes and terpenes have commercial value as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, food additives, and biofuels. This program will require a multi-disciplinary approach that will train highly qualified personnel in genomics, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, plant physiology and biotechnology.

植物专用代谢产物（传统上称为次生代谢产物）是化合物，其生物合成仅限于特定谱系，并在生态相互作用中起关键作用。植物具有合成新的专业代谢产物作为应对环境变化时应对生物和非生物压力的策略的能力。我的研究计划的长期愿景是通过探索专业代谢物的自然多样性来了解这种生化反应，从而弄清楚新代谢产物如何合成，并最终解密它们如何帮助植物在具有挑战性的环境中蓬勃发展。我提出的NSERC研究计划将重点放在黑色三棉树（Populus trichocarpa，poplar）的蜡和萜烯作为模型系统上。 在植物用来阻止入侵者的特征中，角质层中包含的角质层和蜡构成了针对敌对环境的第一个障碍。为了研究表皮蜡和单个蜡成分的作用，我们将利用在毛毛虫假单胞菌的天然基因型集合中存在的蜡组成和丰度的广泛变化。我们已经表明，烯烃是一种有机化合物，是黑杨木叶蜡的主要成分。有趣的是，尽管烷烃有许多工业用途，但它们在植物中生产的方式是完全未知的。我以前的工作确定了烷基生物合成涉及的第一个酶。这一发现为研究表皮蜡生物合成的新途径打开了大门。 但是，如果我们想利用表皮蜡多样性作为保护环境压力的保护机制，仍然需要研究一些关键领域。在拟议的研究中，我们将解决以下短期目标：1-识别和表征与调节和生产烯烃有关的基因； 2-研究表皮蜡对环境应力的作用； 3-开发研究萜烯是黑杨木树的另一组防御化合物所需的工具和方法。 尽管引起我研究的根本问题是为什么植物合成专业代谢物，但产生的知识在作物改善和行业中具有潜在的应用。通过了解专门代谢产物的生物合成和生态作用，我们将能够繁殖或工厂更好地适应特定环境。此外，蜡和萜烯具有商业价值，作为药品，农药，食物添加剂和生物燃料。该计划将需要一种多学科的方法，该方法将培训高素质的基因组学，生物化学，分析化学，植物生理学和生物技术。