Investigation of the Mechanism of Light-Induced Chloroplast Movements

知识价值。在大多数绿色植物中都观察到依赖光的叶绿体运动。这些叶绿体运动作为一种快速调节光合生产力的机制，以响应光强的变化。例如，在昏暗的光线下，叶绿体运动到叶片细胞的上下表面可以改善光捕获，而在高光强的情况下，叶绿体运动到细胞的两侧可以保护它们免受光损伤。该项目的重点是几个新基因的功能，该研究人员最近发现，这些基因对叶绿体运动的发生至关重要。遗传学、分子和生理学的方法被用来了解叶绿体运动的分子机制。该研究有望阐明叶绿体运动的运动机制细节，并为所涉及的光信号转导途径的性质提供新的见解。这些发现也将揭示对肌动蛋白细胞骨架复杂活动的基本细胞生物学的新见解。更广泛的影响。该项目将为从事该研究的研究生和本科生提供培训，并为在实验室寻求研究机会的本科生提供培训。由于光诱导的叶绿体运动可以影响光合潜能，因此从本研究中获得的知识有可能有助于提高产量和生物量积累的植物的发展。这项工作的研究成果将用于向公众讲授植物科学的外展活动。这些包括博物馆展览、公开讲座和基于网络的内容（例如，参见http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu）。

Intellectual Merit. Light-dependent chloroplast movements are observed in most green plants. These chloroplast movements serve as a rapid mechanism for fine-tuning photosynthetic productivity in response to changes in light intensity. For example, movement of chloroplasts to the upper and lower surfaces of leaf cells in dim light can improve light capture, whereas chloroplast movement to the sides of cells when the light intensity is high can protect them from photodamage. The project is focused on the function of several novel genes that this investigator recently identified as essential for the chloroplast movements to occur. Genetic, molecular and physiological approaches are being used to understand the molecular mechanism of chloroplast movements. The research is expected to elucidate details of the motility mechanisms responsible for chloroplast movement and provide new insight into the nature of the light signal transduction pathway involved. The findings will also reveal new insights into the basic cell biology of the complex activities of the actin cytoskeleton. Broader Impacts. This project will provide training to the graduate and postgraduate students doing the research and to undergraduates seeking research opportunities in the lab. Because light-induced chloroplast movements can impact photosynthetic potential, knowledge gained from this research has the potential to help in development of plants with improved yield and biomass accumulation. Research findings from the work will be used in outreach activities to teach about plant science to public audiences. These include museum exhibits, public lectures, and web-based content (e.g., see http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu ).