Award details

Understanding DELLA-mediated regulation of plant growth

Reference	BBS/E/J/0000A242
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Margaret Boulton
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	234,662
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	12/12/2005
End date	11/12/2008
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The growth of plants is controlled by a variety of factors. Recently, we have identified a class of proteins, the DELLAs, that are found in the nuclei of plant cells. Accumulation of DELLAs in cell nuclei inhibits plant growth. In contrast, the plant growth hormone gibberellin (GA) stimulates the growth by promoting the destruction of the DELLAs. Another plant hormone, auxin, also controls growth by controlling the level of DELLAs in the cell. Furthermore, adverse environments cause accumulation of DELLAs and resultant growth inhibition. The experiments described in this proposal will further our understanding of the way in which the levels of DELLAs within the cell are controlled. Another protein, called SLY1 is key to DELLA destruction. SLY1 recognizes DELLAs and binds to them, then targets them for destruction. The experiments proposed will help us to understand how plant hormones and environmental factors control the affinity which DELLA and SLY1 have for one another. First, we will determine the particular region of the DELLAs that SLY1 recognises. Second, we will test the possibility that plant hormones or environmental factors modulate the activity of SLY1 by increasing (or decreasing) the levels of mRNA gene transcripts that encode it. It is also possible that plant hormones or environmental factors modulate the DELLA-SLY1 interaction by causing chemical modification of the DELLAs, or of SLY1. The third set of experiments will therefore detect the effects of plant hormones and environmental factors on the affinity with which DELLAs and SLY1 bind to one another. The fourth set of experiments will specifically identify those modifications to DELLAs or SLY1 that affect the affinity of DELLA-SLY1 binding. In summary, the proposed experiments will enhance our knowledge of how the growth of plants is controlled, and may ultimately help us to develop methods to reduce the effects of stress on agricultural productivity.

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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