番茄Ln基因调控茸毛形成的分子机理研究

植物茸毛存在广泛，具有重要的抗虫防病毒功能，同时也是研究植物细胞命运调控的模式系统。拟南芥茸毛作为典型的单细胞结构，其形成的调控机制已经有比较深入的研究。番茄茸毛是典型的多细胞结构，其形成的分子机理仍不清楚。在本项目中，我们鉴定了一个新的番茄茸毛调控基因Ln，并完成了该基因的图位克隆和功能鉴定。在此基础上，进一步采用Y2H和ChIP-seq筛选该基因的互作蛋白和下游靶基因，并通过BiFC、pull down、EMSA、双荧光素酶实验、酵母单/双杂交等手段验证互作关系。利用转基因分析、表型鉴定、转录组分析、代谢物测定等手段，确定Ln基因互作蛋白和下游靶基因的茸毛调控功能以及由其调控的代谢途径。另外，采用遗传学手段和分子生物学方法研究Ln基因与本室已经克隆的两个茸毛调控因子Wo和H之间的相互关系。本研究对于全面揭示番茄茸毛形成的调控机制以及丰富植物细胞命运决定的分子机理具有重要意义。

Plant trichomes are widely-existed structures, which have great biological and applicable value and serve as an excellent model to study plant cell fate determination. Arabidopsis trichomes are typical unicellular structures, the regulatory pathway underlying their formation has been well characterized. Tomato trichomes are typical multicellular structures. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling tomato trichome formation still remain unclear. Here we identified a novel Ln gene controlling tomato trichome formation and completed map-based cloning and functional characterization of this gene. On this basis, we will conduct Y2H and ChIP-seq to screen interacting proteins and downstream targets, respectively. We will then carry out BiFC, pull down, EMSA, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and yeast one/two hybrid assays to test the relationship between Ln and its interacting proteins and targets. Combining with transgenic analysis, phenotype observation, RNA-seq, and metabolite determination, we intend to unfold the molecular mechanisms of tomato trichome formation and metabolic pathway mediated by Ln gene. In addition, the relationship between Ln and two trichome regulators—Wo and H will be clarified using genetic analysis and molecular biological approaches. It is well worthwhile to reveal the regulatory network of plant trichome formation and enrich the mechanisms of plant cell fate determination.