Arabidopsis WWD2 and WDL Proteins Modulate Cell Expansion and Growth Behavior

主要研究者：帕特里克H. Masson NSF提案号IOS-0821884标题：拟南芥WVD 2和WDL蛋白质调节细胞扩增和生长行为。植物器官的生长是利用被称为分生组织的顶端结构处的局部细胞分裂和亚顶端区域的细胞扩张的组合。细胞分裂和细胞扩张的模式决定了这些器官的形态。此外，伸长区中受调控的细胞扩增允许植物器官对环境刺激和发育线索产生定向生长反应，进一步促进植物形态建成和环境适应。调节细胞扩张的方向性（各向异性）是至关重要的，细胞内微管蛋白的蛋白质聚合物（称为微管蛋白）在质膜下形成致密的网络，通过引导周围壁内不可伸展的纤维素原纤维的沉积来控制这一过程。研究人员已经确定了一组8种保守的植物特异性蛋白质，它们调节扩张细胞中微管的排列，从而调节细胞扩张的模式和相应器官的生长行为。他们将使用来自遗传学，基因组学，细胞生物学，生物化学和生理学的方法来建立这些蛋白质的作用模式，并研究植物激素对其活性的调节。该项目预计将对我们理解各向异性细胞扩增和器官的分子机制产生深远的影响。植物的生长行为，对农业和用于生物能源转化的生物量生产具有潜在影响。一名博士后研究员将在本科生的帮助下开展该项目，本科生将接触科学实验，并将了解遗传学，基因组学，细胞生物学和生物质生产领域的最先进技术。此外，还将实施一项外展计划，K-12教师将在项目的每个夏天加入实验室，与PI、学生和其他实验室成员合作，设计用于在K-12教室和本科实验室中测试和实施的教学材料课程。

Principle Investigator: Patrick H. Masson NSF Proposal Number IOS-0821884Title: Arabidopsis WVD2 and WDL Proteins Modulate Cell Expansion and Growth Behavior.Abstract. Plant organs grow using a combination of localized cell divisions at apical structures called the meristems, and cell expansion in sub-apical regions. The patterns of cell division and cell expansion condition the morphology of these organs. Furthermore, regulated cell expansion in the elongation zones allows plant organs to develop directional growth responses to environmental stimuli and developmental cues, further contributing to plant morphogenesis and environmental adaptation. Regulated directionality (anisotropy) of cell expansion is critical, and intracellular microtubular polymers of a protein, called tubulin, which form a dense network underneath the plasma membrane, control this process by guiding the deposition of inextensible cellulose fibrils within the surrounding wall. The investigators have identified a group of 8 conserved plant-specific proteins that modulate the alignment of microtubules in expanding cells, thereby regulating the patterns of cell expansion and the growth behavior of the corresponding organs. They will use a combination of approaches derived from Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Physiology to establish the mode of action of these proteins, and investigate the regulation of their activity by plant hormones. This project is expected to have a profound impact on our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern anisotropic cell expansion and organs? growth behavior in plants, with potential impact on agriculture and biomass production for bioenergy conversion. A postdoctoral fellow will carry out the project, helped by undergraduate students who will be exposed to scientific experimentation and will be introduced to state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology and biomass production. Furthermore, an outreach program will be implemented whereby K-12 teachers will join the lab each summer of the project to work in partnership with the PI, the students and other lab members to design instructional materials for testing and implementation in K-12 classrooms and undergraduate lab courses.