Award details

Plant growth responses to the environment: interfaces between anti-oxidants, PARP and the cell cycle

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004708
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Peter Hedden
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	147,227
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	04/01/2006
End date	03/01/2009
Duration	36 months

Abstract

This research will increase our understanding of how vitamin C (ascorbic acid; AA) and the thiol tripeptide, glutathione (GSH), regulate the cell cycle. It aims to provide crucial answers regarding how plant growth is controlled by environmental cues. We will identify the cell cycle components at the G1 phase checkpoint responding to AA and GSH, metabolites that link plant responses to environmental stresses and the cell cycle. By characterising the mechanisms underpinning control of the cell cycle by these metabolites, we will identify key genes responding to changes in AA and GSH levels. This project will combine the expertise and know how in AA and GSH synthesis and metabolism and whole plant physiology at Rothamsted with that of the Cambridge laboratory in cell cycle regulation and microarrays to elucidate and characterise the components at the G1 phase cell cycle checkpoint which are response to GSH and AA. The project exploits mutants in GSH and AA synthesis and the unique Arabidopsis cell lines developed in the Cambridge laboratory that have the capacity for synchronization and are closely related to the cell line already extensively studied for its redox regulation. Using micro-arrays and reverse genetics we will identify cell cycle-related genes that respond to GSH or AA within the context of global patterns of redox-related gene expression. The programme is composed of three phases: (1) Characterization of the effects of GSH and AA levels on cell division in the Arabidopsis suspension culture and identification of core cell cycle genes modulated by GSH and AA, (2) Identification of global changes in gene expression resulting from changes in GSH and AA levels, with specific focus on genes that could act as potential upstream regulators of cell cycle genes in mediating GSH and AA control of cell division; (3) Further analysis of the identified genes to confirm that they are involved in controlling cell cycle entry in response to GSH and AA levels.

Summary

unavailable

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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