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The UVR8 UV-B-specific signalling pathway

Reference	BB/F014961/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Gareth Islwyn Jenkins
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor John Christie
Institution	University of Glasgow
Department	Institute of Biomedical & Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	420,303
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	11/04/2008
End date	10/10/2011
Duration	42 months

Abstract

UV-B wavelengths (280-320 nm) induce physiological responses in plants, but very little is known about the processes of UV-B perception and signal transduction. We have recently discovered that the Arabidopsis protein UVR8 is a UV-B-specific signalling component that mediates a range of gene expression responses involved in secondary metabolism, anti-oxidant defence and UV-protection and have shown that UVR8 associates with chromatin to regulate the expression of a key target gene, encoding the transcription factor HY5. In addition, we have found that UV-B stimulates the rapid nuclear translocation of UVR8. The first objectives of this project are to define sequences in the N-terminal region of UVR8 that are involved in nuclear translocation and to identify proteins that mediate this process. Second, we will define sequences in the C-terminal region of UVR8 required for function in transcriptional regulation and identify proteins that act with UVR8 in this process. Finally we will start to map sites of UVR8 interaction and UV-B-induced histone modification in the HY5 genomic region.

Summary

UV-B wavelengths (280-320 nm) are an integral component of the daylight spectrum. UV-B induces physiological responses in plants, including changes in morphology and development and the regulation of various genes involved in secondary metabolism, chloroplast function and protection of the plant from damage by UV-B. Remarkably, very little is known about how UV-B is perceived by plants and how it initiates responses. However, the first component involved in these processes has recently been identified, a protein called UVR8. Moreover, UV-B exposure stimulates movement of UVR8 into the cell nucleus. The aim of this project is to define regions of the UVR8 protein involved in movement into the nucleus and the regulation of transcription and to identify proteins that interact with UVR8 to mediate these processes. An additional objective is to investigate how UVR8 associates with DNA in the region of a gene it regulates. Establishing how UVR8 is regulated and how it functions to control gene expresion will help us to understand how UV-B regulates aspects of plant growth and development and how plants survive in sunlight.

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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