The Control of Reproductive Onset and the Circadian Clock by GIGANTEA

GIGANTEA 对生殖开始和昼夜节律时钟的控制

• 批准号: 0748749
• 负责人: David Somers
• 金额: $ 39万
• 依托单位: Ohio State University Research Foundation -DO NOT USE
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-02-01 至 2011-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0748749&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Control; Reproductive; Onset; Circadian; Clock

The circadian clock controls the timing of many developmental and physiological processes in both plants and animals. The uncomfortable but familiar effects of jet lag experienced by air travelers is a direct result of the inability of the circadian clock to immediately reset to the new local time upon arrival. In plants, the circadian clock controls the onset of flowering and the timing of essential events like photosynthesis. In this way its function is crucial to efficient plant, and crop, growth and reproduction.Recent NSF-funded research has shown that two previously unconnected components of the plant clock, ZEITLUPE (ZTL) and GIGANTEA (GI), interact in a blue-light dependent way, by virtue of the novel photoabsorptive properties of ZTL. GI stabilizes the ZTL protein from degradation, defining a role for GI for the first time. This proposal will further define the biochemical function of GI by identifying which domains are effective for the interaction and stabilization of ZTL. A second aim is to identify other GI interactors, as it is likely that GI stabilizes other proteins, and may require other cofactors to function effectively. Techniques such as yeast two-hybrid analysis and mass spectrometric analysis of GI-TAP-tagged complexes will be used. Results from these studies will better define the molecular and biochemical components of the central oscillator of the clock in Arabidopsis. In turn, findings in this model system will lead to better understanding and control of crop physiology and reproduction.This work will provide an opportunity for the graduate student and postdoctoral researchers involved to learn contemporary molecular biology and plant biochemical techniques in an interactive environment. Additionally, undergraduates, who learn technical and molecular skills that they use later in their careers, are mentored by the more experienced lab workers. The research experiences of the personnel in this project will broaden their scientific expertise, and contribute to their development as future PI's, post-docs and teachers.

生物钟控制着植物和动物的许多发育和生理过程的时间。航空旅客所经历的时差带来的不舒服但熟悉的影响是生物钟无法在抵达后立即重置为新的当地时间的直接结果。在植物中，生物钟控制开花的开始和光合作用等基本事件的时间。通过这种方式，它的功能对于高效的植物和作物的生长和繁殖至关重要。 最近由 NSF 资助的研究表明，植物时钟的两个以前不相关的组成部分，ZEITLUPE (ZTL) 和 GIGANTEA (GI)，在蓝色-凭借 ZTL 新颖的光吸收特性，实现光依赖方式。 GI 稳定了 ZTL 蛋白的降解，首次定义了 GI 的作用。该提案将通过确定哪些结构域对 ZTL 的相互作用和稳定有效，进一步定义 GI 的生化功能。第二个目标是识别其他胃肠道相互作用因子，因为胃肠道很可能稳定其他蛋白质，并且可能需要其他辅助因子才能有效发挥作用。将使用酵母双杂交分析和 GI-TAP 标记复合物的质谱分析等技术。这些研究的结果将更好地定义拟南芥时钟中央振荡器的分子和生化成分。反过来，该模型系统中的发现将有助于更好地理解和控制作物生理和繁殖。这项工作将为参与其中的研究生和博士后研究人员提供一个在交互式环境中学习当代分子生物学和植物生化技术的机会。此外，本科生学习的技术和分子技能将在以后的职业生涯中使用，并受到更有经验的实验室工作人员的指导。该项目人员的研究经验将拓宽他们的科学专业知识，并有助于他们作为未来的 PI、博士后和教师的发展。