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Redox signalling and oxidative-stress-mediated control of plant growth and development

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004556
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Peter Hedden
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	512,968
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2003
End date	31/03/2007
Duration	48 months

Abstract

The aim of this work is to identify the mechanisms that ensure plant cell survival in adverse environmental conditions that generate oxidative stress. The role of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions in the control of plant stress responses will be explored. Since plant cell redox state is governed by the sum of the ascorbate (AA), glutathione and pyridine nucleotide pools, this project will focus on the roles of the antioxidant buffers in the regulation of growth and defence. Cross-talk between pathways of redox, hormone and carbon/nitrogen signalling will be investigated. This research is organised into three interfacing areas:- 1) Inter-pathway signalling. AA and glutathione-dependent control of gene transcription, growth and cell division will be investigated. Arabidopsis mutants with specific lesions in AA synthesis and signalling will be used to explore co-ordination of stress and carbon/nitrogen signalling. The role of calcium in glutathione-signalling will be studied together with the regulation of cellular redox state by glutathione synthesis. 2) Redox signalling mitochondria. We will test the hypothesis that redox signals of mitochondrial origin are crucial in controlling the developmental switch between vigorous vegetative growth and less active, more stress-resistant states, using Arabidopsis mutants and the tobacco CMSII mutant that lacks a functional respiratory Complex I. Since the last step of AA synthesis is physically and functionally associated with respiratory Complex I, the relationship between respiration and AA production will also be studied. 3) Redox signalling in the apoplast. Using transformed tobacco plants with modified AA oxidase, the control exerted by apoplastic redox regulation on hormone and defence responses will be examined.

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

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