Collaborative Research: Assigning Functions to the Arabidopsis LBD-family (CRAFTAL)

这项合作研究提案与美国加州大学河滨分校的P.Springer博士在2010年提交的一份NSF2010提案一起提交，旨在确定编码一种新的植物特有蛋白质结构域vthe LOB结构域的基因家族的功能。LOB结构域由大约100个氨基酸组成，不包含任何可识别的序列基序。在拟南芥中，共有43个LBD基因编码带有LOB结构域的蛋白质。LBD基因是唯一一个具有明确遗传功能的基因，非对称LEAVES2(AS2)，它调节侧器官的近轴-远轴极性，是抑制KNOX型同源结构域转录因子所必需的。我们将通过确定所有43个LBD基因的mRNA表达模式来开始对所有这些基因的功能描述。然后，我们将构建转基因植物，允许改变LBD基因的表达水平或结构域，并分析由此产生的表型。我们将确定选定的LBD-蛋白的相互作用伙伴，并筛选受LBD活性调控的靶基因。这些互补方法的结果将允许在其特定的基因背景下为LOB结构域分配功能。有关LBD基因的信息将在以下网站上维护：http://faculty.ucr.edu/~pspringe

This collaborative research proposal, submitted together with an NSF2010 proposal by Dr. P. Springer from the University of California at Riverside, USA, aims to determine the function of a family of genes that encode a novel, plant-specific protein domain,vthe LOB domain. The LOB domain, consisting of approximately 100 amino acids, does not contain any recognizable sequence motifs. In Arabidopsis, a total of 43 LBD genes encode proteins carrying a LOB domain. The only LBD gene with a defined genetic function, ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2), regulates adaxial-abaxial polarity in lateral organs and is required for repression of KNOX-type homeodomain transcription factors. We will initiate the functional characterization of all 43 LBD genes in Arabidopsis by determining their mRNA expression patterns. We will then construct transgenic plants that permit to alter the expression levels or domains of LBD genes, and analyse the resulting phenotypes. We will identify the interaction partners of selected LBD-proteins and screen for target genes regulated by LBD activity. Results from these complementary approaches will allow to assign a function to the LOBdomain in its gene-specific context. Information about LBD genes will be maintained at the following web site: http://faculty.ucr.edu/~pspringe