mTERF Function and Control of Plant Respiration and Stress Tolerance

植物在胁迫条件下的存活和繁殖力/生产力决定了物种在自然界中的分布以及农业产量。这项研究项目的长期目标是确定决定逆境生存的植物能量代谢的关键特征。该研究项目的重点是控制植物线粒体的呼吸作用，线粒体是所有生物体中产生能量的关键细胞器。为了解释植物的能量平衡和生物量积累，需要更好地理解线粒体成分的调节。由于呼吸活动是决定植物生产力的方程式的一部分，了解植物呼吸的控制可能会有针对性地操纵呼吸来提高生产力，特别是在胁迫条件下。在模式植物拟南芥中，将利用最先进的生化和遗传学的组合，进行实验以确定一类蛋白质的功能，该蛋白质被预测为调节植物线粒体基因表达的mTERF，用于线粒体转录终止因子。PI已经证明，针对植物线粒体的mTERF蛋白(SHOT1)的突变可以通过限制氧化损伤来明显增强植物对高温胁迫的耐受性。实验将确定SHOT1功能的分子机制，并继续测试其他mTERF如何也有助于控制呼吸和植物抗逆性。该项目将为每年一名博士后科学家、一名研究生和两名本科生提供实验和交流方面的培训。该协会还将开展宣传活动，鼓励少女将科学作为一种职业选择，并向公众宣传转基因植物的科学基础。这些讲座将提供有关转基因生物基本生物化学和分子生物学的外行信息，以便个人能够就这项技术做出明智的决定。

Plant survival and fecundity/productivity under stress conditions determine species distribution in nature as well as agricultural output. The long term goal of this research project is to define critical features of plant energy metabolism that determine stress survival. The specific focus of the research project is the control of respiration in plant mitochondria, which are critical energy generating organelles in all organisms. A better understanding of the regulation of mitochondrial components is needed to explain plant energy balance and biomass accumulation. Because respiratory activity is part of the equation determining plant productivity, understanding the control of plant respiration may enable targeted manipulation of respiration to enhance productivity, particularly under stress conditions. Experiments will be performed to define the function of a class of proteins predicted to regulate plant mitochondrial gene expression known as mTERFs, for mitochondrial Transcription Termination Factors, using a combination of state-of-the-art biochemistry and genetics in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The PI has demonstrated that mutation of an mTERF protein (SHOT1) targeted to plant mitochondria can enhance tolerance to high temperature stress apparently by limiting oxidative damage. Experiments will define the molecular mechanism of SHOT1 function, and go on to test how other mTERFs may also contribute to control of respiration and plant stress tolerance. The project will provide training in experimentation and communication for one postdoctoral scientist, one graduate student and two undergraduates for each year of the award. The PI will also engage in outreach activities to encourage teenage girls to consider science as a career option and to inform the public about the scientific basis of genetically modified plants. These talks will provide information in lay terms on the underlying biochemistry and molecular biology of GMOs so that individuals can make informed decisions about the technology.