Defensin-like Genes in Two Model Plant Species: Expression, Function and Genome Organization of a Large Gene Family

主要研究者：Kathryn A VandenBosch提案编号：0516811题目：两种模式植物中的防御素样基因：一个大基因家族的表达、功能和基因组组织知识产权：病原体和害虫大大降低作物产量，并降低食品的安全性和营养品质。了解抗性机制有助于通过生物技术和植物育种来改良作物。防御素，已知来自许多生物体，是已知对细菌、真菌或昆虫具有抗生素作用的天然产物。在分析两种与作物相关的植物基因序列时发现，超过1%的植物基因编码与防御素相关的蛋白质。这些防御素样基因比以前认识到的要丰富和多样得多。该项目将研究这些基因的功能，以评估它们对植物化合物库的贡献潜力，以保护自己免受微生物的攻击。 这项研究将使用分子生物学和微生物学技术来寻找基因活跃的条件，并评估蛋白质的抗生素作用。 该项目还将使用DNA序列的计算评估来研究基因数量和功能的进化变化。 这将展示这种类型的防御如何随着时间的推移而变化。 更广泛的影响：三个博士学位学生将就该项目进行论文研究。至少有六名本科生将进行项目相关的研究。 除了进行实验室实验和计算调查，学生将获得研究交流的经验，并探索分子生物学，生物信息学和基因组学的培训和就业机会。

PI: Kathryn A VandenBoschProposal Number: 0516811Title: Defensin-like genes in two model plant species: expression, function and genome organization of a large gene familyIntellectual Merit: Pathogens and pests greatly reduce crop yields and can diminish safety and nutritional qualities of food. Understanding mechanisms of resistance enables crop improvement via biotechnology and plant breeding. Defensins, known from many organisms, are natural products known to have antibiotic effects against bacteria, fungi, or insects. During analysis of gene sequences of two plant species related to crops, it was discovered that more than 1% of plant genes encode proteins related to defensins. These defensin-like genes are much more abundant and diverse than previously realized. This project will study the functions of these genes to evaluate their potential to contribute to plants' arsenals of compounds to protect themselves from attack by microbes. The study will use molecular biological and microbiological techniques to find conditions when the genes are active and to evaluate the antibiotic effects of the proteins. The project will also use computational evaluation of DNA sequences to study evolutionary changes in gene numbers and function. This will demonstrate how this type of defense may change over time. Broader Impacts: Three Ph.D. students will carry out dissertation research on the project. At least six undergraduates will conduct project-related research. In addition to conducting laboratory experiments and computational investigations, students will gain experience in research communication and explore training and employment opportunities in molecular biology, bioinformatics and genomics.