Phloem Loading and Transport of Metal Ions: Mechanisms and Regulation

该奖项支持在高等植物中参与微量营养素金属运输的过程、调节机制和细胞区室的研究。将结合使用生理、生化和分析方法研究韧皮部运输系统调动铁、铜、锌和锰的能力。将特别强调识别内源性金属结合化合物（螯合剂），这些化合物参与韧皮部系统中金属离子的装载和运输。豌豆将作为实验系统。有关高等植物中金属运输的细胞事件和内源性化合物的详细信息将为确定介导金属相关过程从源组织到整个植物水平整合的调节机制提供基础。由于金属和其他营养物质向植物发育中的汇区运输通常完全依赖韧皮部的输送，并且由于金属在许多代谢功能中起着不可或缺的作用，因此本研究获得的认识将对提高种子的营养质量，确保种子成功发芽和幼苗早期发育，加强植物修复过程具有重要意义。操纵金属诱导的汇组织基因表达。

9630341 Grusak This award supports studies on the processes, regulatory mechanisms, and cellular compartments that are involved in the transport of micronutrient metals in higher plants. The capacity to mobilize iron, copper, zinc and mangenese in the phloem transport system will be studied using a combination of physiological, biochemical and analytical approaches. Special emphasis will be given to identifying the endogenous metal-binding compounds (chelators) that are involved in the loading and transport of metal ions in the phloem system. Pea will be used as the experimental system. Details on the cellular events and endogenous compounds involved in the transport of metals in higher plants will provide the foundation for identifying regulatory mechanisms that mediate the integration of metal-associated processes from source tissues to the whole-plant level. Because the transport of metals and other nutrients to developing sink regions of the plant is often entirely dependent on phloem delivery, and because metals play such an integral role in numerous metablic functions, the understanding gained in this research will have significant relevance to improving the nutritional quality of seeds, ensuring successful seed germination and early seedling development, enhancing the process of phytoremediation, and manipulating metal-induced gene expression in sink tissues.