U.S.-Czech Research on Involvement of Melatonin and Calcium in Plant Photoperiodism

INT 9605193约翰逊 这个美国-捷克研究项目之间的卡尔H。范德比尔特大学的约翰逊和捷克实验植物学研究所的伊戈尔·马查科娃将研究植物开花的化学基础。 研究结果将有助于我们对植物光周期时间测量（PTM）系统和信息传递到开花组织（分生组织）的过程的基本理解。 具体来说，约翰逊和Machackova博士计划使用烟草植物作为模型系统，因为对烟草中的PTM了解很多，并且同一属中的各种菌株显示出不同的光周期表型。 研究人员将根据最近发现的关于褪黑激素的信息进行这项调查，褪黑激素是PTM发现动物的关键激素，新的证据表明细胞溶质游离钙通量参与了光转导途径。由于褪黑激素在高等植物中也有类似的发现，本项目将试图确定褪黑激素在植物中昼夜节律产生的控制机制，以及褪黑激素和/或细胞质游离钙在高等植物开花的光周期诱导中所起的作用。 该细胞生物学项目通过使美国和东欧的领先专家联合收割机互补人才并在共同感兴趣和能力强的领域汇集研究资源，实现了推进科学知识的计划目标。 ??

INT 9605193 Johnson This U.S.-Czech research project between Carl H. Johnson of Vanderbilt University and Ivana Machackova of the Czech Institute of Experimental Botany will examine the chemical basis of plant flowering. Results should contribute to our basic understanding of the photoperiodic time measurement (PTM) system and the process of information transfer to flowering tissue, meristems, in plants. Specifically, Drs. Johnson and Machackova plan to use the tobacco plant as the model system because much is known about PTM in tobacco and a variety of strains in the same genus display different photoperiodic phenotypes. The researchers will build this inquiry upon recently discovered information about melatonin, a crucial hormone for PTM found animals, and new evidence suggesting that cytosolic free calcium fluxes are involved in the phototransduction pathway. Since melatonin is similarly found in higher plants, this project will attempt to determine the mechanisms controlling the circadian production of melatonin in plants and the roles, if any, played by melatonin and/or cytosolic free calcium in photoperiodic induction of flowering in higher plants. This project in cell biology fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading experts in the United States and Eastern Europe to combine complementary talents and pool research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence. ??