Function and Regulation of Isoprene Synthesis in Leaves

异戊二烯是从许多植物中释放出来的，特别是橡树和白杨等树木。排放的量非常大，对大气化学有重大影响。另一方面，异戊二烯可以作为一种化工原料，已经在商业上进行开发。为了了解植物异戊二烯排放的功能和规律，将进行实验以测试和确定排放异戊二烯的植物如何受到这种排放的影响。新的光学方法将被用来测量光合膜的渗漏，并确定异戊二烯如何影响这种渗漏。还将测量异戊二烯对其他膜功能的影响，如形成脂滴和可能的细胞死亡信号。测试这一调节的实验将侧重于在有和没有可能的抑制剂的情况下测量酶活性，并测量与异戊二烯排放速率变化相关的酶活性的变化。这项工作的结果将有助于理解异戊二烯排放，异戊二烯排放是生物圈和大气之间最重要的化学相互作用之一。这些信息可能有助于决策，比如是否改变种植的树木，并有助于预测异戊二烯可能加剧空气污染的时间。这项工作也可能对工程制造异戊二烯的其他生物有用，以便将其用作石油的替代品。这项研究将涉及许多学生，包括被招募参加一个暑期项目的本科生，该项目旨在增加代表人数不足的群体成员对科学的参与。

Isoprene is emitted from many plants, especially trees such as oaks and aspens. The amount emitted is very large and has significant effects on atmospheric chemistry. On the other hand, isoprene can serve as a chemical feedstock and is already being exploited commercially. To understand the function and regulation of isoprene emission from plants, experiments will be undertaken to test and determine how plants that emit isoprene are affected by this emission. Novel optical methods will be used to measure leakiness of photosynthetic membranes and determine how isoprene affects this leakiness. The effect of isoprene on other membrane functions, such as formation of lipid drops and possible cell death signals will also be measured. Experiments to test the regulation will focus on measuring enzyme activity with and without possible inhibitors and measuring changes in enzyme activities in relation to changes in isoprene emission rate. The results of the work will be useful for understanding isoprene emission, one of the most important chemical interactions between the biosphere and atmosphere. This information may aid decisions such as whether to alter what trees are planted and will aid in predicting when air pollution episodes are likely to be exacerbated by isoprene. The work may also be useful in engineering other organisms to make isoprene so that it can be used as a replacement for petroleum. This research will involve many students including undergraduates recruited to a summer program designed to increase participation in science by members of underrepresented groups.