REKSARD

Receptor-like Kinase Signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana Root Development

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The past decade researchers have mainly focused on the analyses of phytohormone gradients and mobile transcription factors to explain patterning. In Arabidopsis, model processes like primary and lateral root development are well understood on the level of transcriptional changes and hormonal control, but very little attention has been given to an alternative way of cell-cell communication using ligand-receptor-like kinase systems (De Smet et al., 2009, Nat Cell Biol, in press). Lately a number of receptor-like kinases and potential ligands have been described in root development (De Smet et al., 2008, Science 322:494-497; Müller et al., 2008, Plant Cell 20:934-946; Stahl et al., 2009, Curr Biol 19:909-14), making it a perfect time to start investigating how these receptor-like kinases and their respective ligands control the different developmental processes and what their targets are. More and more tools become available to study difficult membrane proteins on the level of 3D structure, phosphoproteomics, and in silico ligand identification. In brief, I will use different and interdisciplinary strategies, based on state of the art transcriptomics, proteomics, interactomics, associomics and more in depth analysis on the single gene/protein/ligand level to describe ligand-receptor-mediated cell-cell communication during root development, and, more specifically, to identify key components in ACR4-dependent signalling. The aspects this project plans to address would contribute extensively to the knowledge of membrane associated receptors-like kinases in general, have rarely been covered focusing on one receptor-like kinase, and will allow elucidating the mechanisms and structural aspects behind this crucial ACF4-dependent signaling pathway, such as: (1) identification of downstream genome-wide transcriptional changes, (2) identification of substrates on a proteome-wide scale, and (3) identification and physical interaction of ligands with the receptor domain.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

During development of multicellular organisms, cells need to be 'told' what organs to differentiate into. Researchers are investigating a cell-cell communication system that regulates how cells develop post-embryonically into plant roots in fluctuating environments.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

For plant roots to transport water and nutrients efficiently, the shape and structure of the root system needs to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Plants therefore have a complex communication system to relay information between roots and surrounding cells, which regulates root formation during post-embryonic development.

The EU-funded 'Receptor-like kinase signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana root development' (REKSARD) project used a model plant root system to study cell-to-cell communication during root development. Researchers focused on a communication system in which a receptor protein that spans the plant cell membrane binds to a molecule known as a ligand.

Because the transmembrane protein is positioned both within and outside the cell, it can communicate with other cells via mobile signalling molecules. Such information is used to control cell division during organ development and to convey positional information for direction of root growth.

To find out which receptor/ligand combinations are important in root development, REKSARD characterised the receptor protein ARABIDOPSIS CRINKLY4 (ACR4) from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. ACR4, which helps to regulate embryonic organ development, allows root growth and structure to be flexible in response to fluctuating environmental conditions.

Next, researchers will try to determine which ligands bind to ACR4 and how this binding regulates root development through cell-to-cell communication and cell division control. Apart from shedding light on developmental control mechanisms, REKSARD will provide an ideal tool to study mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication during growth and development.