Award details

Does isoprene emission protect plants against thermal stress and is this trait transferable into plant species that do not produce isoprene?

Reference	BBS/B/12237
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Prof. Phillip Mullineaux
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Essex
Department	Biological Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	216,180
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	09/08/2004
End date	08/08/2007
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The capacity to make isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) has been hypothesised to confer thermotolerance on plants. Isoprene synthesis is catalysed by chloroplast located isoprene synthase (IS). Initially, we will test the this hypothesis using hybrid poplar inhibited for IS activity. More conclusively, we will test if over-expression of IS cDNAs from poplar in transgenic tobacco (a non-emitter of isoprene) allows the latter to emit this compound and if so, are such tobaccos more thermotolerant than their wild-type siblings. This will provide conclusive evidence for the thermotolerance hypothesis and will open the possibility of enhancing heat stress tolerance in crops by genetic manipulation. We shall couple such studies to a characterisation of IS isoforms and genes in poplar and to determine if post-translational activation of the enzyme occurs under heat stress. (Joint with BBS/B12172).

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
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

Associated awards:

BBS/B/12172 Does isoprene emission protect plants against thermal stress and is this trait transferable into plant species that do not produce isoprene?

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