茉莉素(JA)是植物中的重要激素之一，通过对信号通路中转录因子活性的调节参与调控植物的系统防御反应、次生代谢、生长发育等众多生理过程。JA信号通路中的抑制因子JAZ所介导的转录抑制机制是信号传递调控基因表达的重要组成。研究还发现JA可以响应非生物逆境信号促进花青素的合成，拟南芥中有多个MYB-bHLH-WD40复合体的成员正调控JA诱导的花青素合成基因的表达，然而该通路中的转录抑制机制还亟待进一步解析。我们在前期研究中克隆到一个功能未知基因，初步研究发现，该基因编码的蛋白JEM能与JAZ互作负调控JA诱导的花青素合成。本项目拟研究JEM的功能及其与JAZ互作在调控花青素合成的JA信号通路中的作用机制。本研究在JA信号转导机制、花青素合成调控及高等植物转录抑制调控等研究领域均具有重要的科学理论意义。

Jasmonate (JA) is an important plant hormone that regulates plant defense, growth and development, metabolites production etc. JAZ proteins are key regulators in JA signaling that act as transcription repressors. Previous studies revealed that JA can induce anthocyanin accumulation in response to abiotic stress, and several transcriptional factors in MYB-bHLH-WD40 complex positively regulate the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes. However, the JAZ mediated mechanism to repress the anthocyanin accumulation still needs further investigation. In our previous study, we have cloned a function unknown gene, which encoding a protein named JEM that negatively regulates the JA-induced anthocyanin accumulation. Interestingly, we also found that JEM can interact with JAZ directly. In this study, we will investigate the function of JEM, and the role of JEM-JAZ interaction in JA-mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our study will provide new insight in understanding the mechanisms of JA signal transduction, anthocyanin biosynthesis, as well as transcriptional regulation in higher plants.