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The assembly of Fe cofactors in plants

Reference	BBS/E/J/000C0657
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Janneke Balk
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	307,894
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	03/10/2011
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	65 months

Abstract

Janneke Balk leads a research group studying the biogenesis of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins in plants, algae and fungi. She has previously characterized several proteins involved in the assembly of iron-sulfur cofactors, however key questions such as the source of iron, and the chemical nature of the mitochondrial-cytoplasmic link remain to be answered. Objectives 1. Characterize new genes required for Fe-S protein biogenesis in (crop) plants. Candidate genes from our previous work will be investigated for their in-planta and in-vitro functions. The model organism will be Arabidopsis, but legumes (Lotus, Medicago) will also be studied. 2. Determine the substrate of the mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette transporters (ATMs). The ATM3 transporter in Arabidopsis was shown to have a similar function as the yeast Atm1p and human ABCB7, in that they are required for the assembly of Fe-S clusters in the cytosol. Using a combination of in-vitro and in-vivo studies, we will focus on sulfur compounds as the putative substrate of the “ATMs” to unravel in what form they are transported (BBSRC BB/H0028X/1). 3. Iron storage and mobilization in seeds. Iron is stored in seeds in either the vacuole or the protein complex ferritin, and is rapidly mobilized upon germination for the benefit of the germinating seedling. Our aim is to obtain a better understanding of both Fe storage and mobilization for incorporation into iron cofactors, and how these processes are regulated. Model species are Arabidopsis, wheat and pulses. Iron will be visualized in situ using 3D spectroscopy or microscopy techniques, and the dominant Fe proteins will be identified using proteomics. The knowledge is important for improving germination in the field, iron fertilization of soils, and for seeds as a source of minerals for human nutrition.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Microbiology, 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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