玉米中蓝光受体CRY调控植物表皮蜡质的分子机制研究

全球变暖造成干旱气候频发且愈演愈烈，培育耐旱农作物对于抵抗干旱造成的危害显得尤为重要。植物的角质层是调控水分流失和气体交换的主要场所。有研究表明，光信号可激活植物角质层合成基因的表达，表明光信号可能参与植物角质层积累的调控，但具体其分子机制还不清楚。蓝光受体CRYs介导蓝光依赖的去黄化过程以及光周期依赖的开花起始，同时还调控植物生长发育的多个进程。我们前期研究发现玉米CRYs突变后造成表皮蜡质分布缺陷，表明CRY在玉米表皮蜡质合成可能扮演关键调控作用。通过酵母双杂交筛选，我们发现玉米CRYs与蜡质合成关键酶GL2存在蓝光依赖的互作，并在植物体内也证明ZmCRYs的多个同源与蜡质合成关键酶GL2互作。本项目拟在此基础上深入研究蓝光受体ZmCRY调控玉米蜡质合成的分子机制，发掘潜在增强植物抗旱能力的靶点，最终实现解析CRYs感受蓝光信号调控植物蜡质合成的关键科学问题。

Global warming results in extreme weather, such as drought, which occurs more frequently and in a wider range. Drought-tolerant crops is particularly important in resisting those drought threats. The plant cuticle is the main organ mainly preventing water loss and gas exchange. Previous studies have shown that light signals can activate the expression of plant cuticle synthesis genes, suggesting light signals may be involved in the regulation of plant cuticle wax accumulation, but until now, its molecular mechanism is unclear. Blue-light receptor CRYs primarily mediate blue-light regulation of de-etiolation and photoperiodic control of flowering. In addition, these two photoreceptors regulate many other aspects of plant growth and development. Our previous data showed that loss of function of ZmCRYs have defects in plant cuticle, suggesting CRY plays critical roles in regulation of cuticle wax biosynthesis in maize. Through Y2H screen assay, we found that ZmCRYs interact with key cuticle wax biosynthesis gene, Glossy2, in a blue light dependent manner. On this basis, the project intends to study in depth the molecular mechanism of regulation of ZmCRYs to cuticular wax biosynthesis in maize, to identify potential targets which enhance plant drought tolerance, and ultimately to resolve key scientific issues in how CRYs sensing blue-light signal to modulate plant cuticle synthesis.