Molecular characterisation of the genes and enzymes that plants use to produce DMSP

二甲基磺基丙酸酯(DMSP)是一种抗应激化合物，在全球营养和硫循环、信号传递和气候变化中发挥关键作用。DMSP在细菌和滨海藻类中具有渗透保护剂、低温保护剂、氧化应激保护剂和放牧威慑作用。只有一些植物被证明能产生DMSP，包括盐沼草Spartina和西红柿。DMSP在这些植物中的作用尚不清楚，尽管知道了DMSP合成的生化途径，但参与DMSP合成的关键基因和酶在植物中仍未被发现。本项目将以番茄为模型系统，旨在揭示植物合成DMSP的分子途径，并了解植物产生这种化合物的原因。最近，参与植物DMSP生产的酶被鉴定出来，这些基因产物的酶学将被克隆和检测。这些基因在不同条件下生长的植物中的表达将使用qRT-PCR进行测量，并将使用CRISPR基因编辑来产生突变株系。将对这些品系的生长和生理进行研究，以确定环境因素是否影响它们的生产力和生长。

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an anti-stress compound with key roles in global nutrient and sulfur cycling, signalling and climate. DMSP functions as an osmoprotectant, cryoprotectant, protectant against oxidative stress and a grazing deterrent in bacteria and marina algae. Only some plants have been shown to produce DMSP, including the saltmarsh cordgrass Spartina and tomato. The role of DMSP in these plants is unclear and, despiteknowing the biochemical pathway for DMSP synthesis, the key genes and enzymes involved in DMSP production remain undiscovered in plants.This project will use tomato as a model system and aims to unpick the molecular pathway for DMSP synthesis in plants and to understand why plants produce this compound. Enzymes involved in plant DMSP production have recently been identified and the enzymology of these gene products will be cloned and tested. Expression of the genes in plants grown under different conditions will be measured using qRT-PCR and mutant lines will be generated using CRISPR gene editing. The growth and physiology of these lines will be studied to determine if environmental factors affect their productivity and growth.