Biosynthesis of Indolic Phytoalexins: Mechanisms of Plant Innate Immune Response

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究计划描述了一个研究项目的发展，以研究拟南芥植物抗毒素的生物发生。我们将开始调查的生物合成途径camalexin，植物抗毒素产生的诱导防御反应的一部分。我们研究拟南芥植物抗毒素途径的两阶段计划的第一部分将集中在通过与MGH的Ausubel实验室合作鉴定camalexin生物合成基因。在培训期间，我将参加有关会议和讲习班，并将定期与三名高级顾问协商，以建立及时推进项目所需的技能。在项目的第二个独立阶段，我将对第一阶段收集的数据所涉及的候选植物抗毒素途径酶进行生物化学表征。我希望这项工作将作为一个跳板，制定一个新的研究计划，使用遗传学，化学和生物化学的组合，以阐明植物次生代谢物的生物合成途径。更深入地了解这些途径不仅会阐明宿主-病原体相互作用的分子细节，而且鉴于植物天然产物作为临床药物的良好记录，它也可能对人类健康产生重要影响。 公共卫生相关性：植物产生丰富的次级代谢产物，用于防御破坏性害虫。该研究计划概述了植物免疫反应途径的组成部分，以及小分子的生产，分布和代谢。这些化合物包含在通常食用的蔬菜中，并已被发现对人类健康有有益的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research proposal describes the development of a research program to study the biogenesis of Arabidopsis phytoalexins. We will begin by investigating the biosynthetic pathway of camalexin, a phytoalexin produced as part of the induced defense response. The first part of our two-phase plan for studying Arabidopsis phytoalexin pathways will focus on the identification of camalexin biosynthetic genes through a collaboration with the Ausubel lab at MGH. During this training period, I will attend relevant meetings and workshops, and I will consult regularly with three senior advisors to establish skills required for timely advance of the project. During the second, independent phase of the project I will biochemically characterize candidate phytoalexin pathway enzymes implicated by the data gathered during phase one. I expect that this work will serve as a springboard for the formulation of a new research program that uses a combination of genetics, chemistry, and biochemistry to elucidate secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways in plants. A deeper understanding of these pathways will not only illuminate the molecular details of host-pathogen interactions, but it is also likely to have an important impact on human health, given the strong track record of plant natural products as clinically-used medicines. Public Health Relevance: Plants produce a wealth of secondary metabolites for defense against destructive pests. The research program outlined in this proposal explores components of plant immune response pathways as well as the production, distribution, and metabolism of the contributing small molecules. These compounds are contained in commonly consumed vegetables and have been found to have beneficial effects on human health.