Melatonin mediated morphogenesis in plants

褪黑激素是一种调节昼夜节律的神经激素，在心血管、生殖、细胞生长和衰老机制中发挥重要作用。有趣的是，褪黑激素在植物中也被广泛检测到，但对其功能知之甚少。在植物和动物中，细胞分裂和分化的信号转导和协调过程可能基本上非常相似。因此，进一步研究植物Mel的作用，将为植物发育调控的研究开辟新的途径，并可能有助于进一步了解这种神经激素在动物体内的功能。这项研究的重点是神经系统化合物，包括褪黑激素在植物细胞信号传导，形态发生和繁殖中的作用。拟议的研究是一个跨学科的计划，有很多机会让学生在几个不同的学科，从发育生物学到先进的分析化学工作。 此外，植物褪黑激素可直接应用于人类健康，潜在地介导昼夜节律、季节性受影响的疾病、偏头痛、进行性神经退行性疾病和癌症。 对植物中褪黑激素代谢的进一步了解将提高我们对食物与健康之间复杂相互关系的理解。

Melatonin is a mammalian neurohormone which regulates circadian cycles and plays important roles in cardiovascular, reproductive, cell growth, and aging mechanisms. Interestingly, melatonin has also been widely detected in plants, but little is known of its functions. The processes of signal transduction and coordination of cell division and differentiation in plants and animals may be fundamentally quite similar. Thus, further research on the roles of plant Mel will open many new avenues for investigation of the regulation of plant development, and perhaps further aid in the understanding of the function of this neurohormone in animals. This research is focused on the role for neurological compounds including melatonin in plant cell signaling, morphogenesis and reproduction. Proposed research is an interdisciplinary program with lots of opportunities for students to work in several different disciplines from developmental biology to advanced analytical chemistry.  In addition, plant melatonin may have a direct application in human health potentially mediating circadian rhythms, seasonal affected disorders, migraines, progressive neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.  An increased understanding the metabolism of melatonin in plants will improve our understanding of the complex interrelationships between our food and our health.