Award details

Signaling to plant immunity responses (PathoNet)

Reference	BB/G024944/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Cyril Zipfel
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of East Anglia
Department	Sainsbury Laboratory
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	317,016
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/10/2009
End date	30/09/2012
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The main objective to PathoNet is to improve understanding of pathogen perception and activated signaling pathways via advanced genomics tools and to.resolve how functions regulated by these pathways enable plant adaptation to pathogenic environment. Towards this aim, we will establish a novel research platform that includes employing and further developing genomics to answer biological questions focusing on PAMP-induced signaling In particular, we will unravel protein kinase and phosphatase signaling complexes, phosphorylated protein targets, and to link these events to plant metabolic responses and pathogen induced immunity functions. Within this project we have gathered leading research teams that study different aspects of PAMP induced signal transduction with the involvement of receptor-like kinases (RLKs), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and on the opposing protein phosphatases, PP2Cs. We use and develop advanced technologies to follow the dynamic changes in phosphorylation of proteins, the phosphoproteome and systemic analysis of the metabolome in response to specific PAMP signals. Building this new strongly interacting international team will help to reach the 'critical mass' of plant science on biotic stress signaling.

Summary

The overall scientific goal of PathoNet is to close the gaps in our knowledge on PAMP-induced signalling such as connecting signal perception at the plasma membrane (PM) to further transduction by kinase cascades; the connection of signalling through MAPK to their targets and relating it to downstream responses; and interlink these to plant innate immunity. We offer systematic approach integrating i) identification of PAMP receptor (EFR)-interacting proteins (EIPs), ii) investigation of specific PAMP-induced MAPK signalling pathway, iii) uncovering MAPK targets by phosphoproteomics, iv) monitor whole genome activity in response to MAPK-mediated signals, v) systemic plant physiological responses, vi) plant sensitivity towards bacterial pathogens/elicitors. Thereby, our approach is covering PAMP-induced signaling starting from perception at the PM, spanning new hypothesis-led model towards identification of new pathway components, integrating data-led 'omics' and bioinformatics tools to extend current understand about plant innate immunity.

Committee	Research Committee B (Plants, microbes, food & sustainability)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	European Research Area Network in Plant Genomics (ERA-PG) [2006-2009]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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