RIG: Characterization of acd6-1 SUPPRESSOR 3 (SUP3), a Negative Regulator of Arabidopsis Defense

由病原体引起的植物病害是全世界农业的最大威胁之一。植物基因网络感知和转导防御信号，以响应病原体感染。然而，识别调节防御的基因并了解其作用机制仍然具有挑战性。拟南芥突变体acd6-1是一种微小的植物，其大小与防御水平成反比。利用acd6-1的这一独特特征，研究人员开发了一种简单的遗传筛选方法，以分离可能在新型防御基因中发生突变的acd6-1抑制因子（sups）。在鉴定的基因中，SUP3编码一种未经鉴定的假定的钠依赖性磷酸盐转运体，在植物和动物中广泛保守。该项目将重点研究SUP3的功能，使用遗传和分子生物学相关工具。预期结果将阐明SUP3如何调节植物抗病和介导防御信号转导。这些信息将增加对植物防御调控网络的认识，并为提高作物抗病性状提供潜在的靶点。该项目还将有助于扩大代表性不足的群体在生物科学领域的参与。少数本科生和研究生将通过直接参与拟议的研究活动来接受植物生物学方面的培训。此外，来自巴尔的摩地区少数族裔学生入学率较高的低绩效公立学校的K-12科学教师将被邀请在夏季到首席研究员的实验室工作。这样的经验不仅可以提高教师的生物科学知识，而且可以帮助他们为学生开发更有效的科学课程。

Plant diseases caused by pathogens are among the greatest deterrents in agriculture worldwide. A network of plant genes perceives and transduces defense signals in response to pathogen infection. However, it remains challenging to identify genes regulating defense and to understand their mechanisms of action. The Arabidopsis mutant acd6-1 is a tiny plant whose size is in reverse proportion to the level of defense. Taking advantage of this unique feature of acd6-1, the investigators developed a facile genetic screen to isolate acd6-1 suppressors (sups) that may have mutations in novel defense genes. Among the genes identified is SUP3, encoding an uncharacterized putative sodium-dependent phosphate transporter widely conserved in plants and animals. The project will focus on investigating the function of SUP3, using genetic and molecular biology-related tools. The expected results will elucidate how SUP3 regulates plant disease resistance and mediates defense signal transduction. Such information will add to the knowledge on the regulatory network of plant defense and provide a potential target to improve disease resistance traits in crop plants. The project will also contribute to broaden the participation of under-represented groups in Biological Sciences. Minority undergraduate and graduate students will be trained in Plant Biology by being directly involved in the proposed research activities. In addition, K-12 science teachers from low performing public schools in the Baltimore area that have high enrollments of minority students will be invited to work in the principal investigator's laboratory in the summer. Such experience will not only enhance the teachers' knowledge of Biological Sciences but also help them to develop more effective science curricula for their students.