MERIT

Metabolic Reprogramming by Induction of Transcription

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Plants continually monitor the environment to modify physiology and development at the molecular level to ensure maximal fitness. Central in the signaling network is the SnRK1 kinases (homologous to AMPK and SNF1 in mammals and yeast respectively). These kinases are vital to the energy balance of the organism and regulate primary metabolism by controlling transcription factors, which control the expression of genes encoding key enzymes. SnRK1 signaling and reprogrammed metabolism have turned out to be crucial for establishments of tolerance and sustained growth during stress. This proposal suggests a multilevel approach to signaling in which all levels of the signal transduction pathway are addressed. The proposal is truly interdisciplinary and a wide range of methodology will be deployed ranging from classical physiology to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry based protein and metabolite profiling, massive sequencing of immuno-precipitated chromatin and whole genome expression profiling. This will be further supported by bioinformatic approaches, phylogenetical as well as network based. The aim is to understand the mechanisms regulating energy balance in plants and their impact on plant performance under stress. Improved stress tolerance of plants is of strategic importance in a world with rising population and changing climate. This strategic importance as well as future recruitment possibilities motivates the high involvement of industrial partners in the proposed activities. The proposed training activities will coach future top-performers for professional career in the biotech industry as well as in the academia. The training program includes network-wide workshops (methodology, industry relevant skills and more) as well as structured local training in the host institutions. Important is a rich schedule of secondments in witch the young researchers will learn new technologies, widen their scientific horizons and establish their academic networks.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Plants reprogramme their metabolism in response to energy scarcity in order to conserve resources. Scientists are studying the mechanisms in order to enhance plant survival in light of a growing global population and climate change.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

All organisms regulate their energy balance with conserved signal transduction pathways in which kinases, enzymes (proteins) mediating phosphorylation, play an important role. Organisms modulate the rate of capture (by feeding or photosynthesis), storage and use of energy resources to sustain growth and development.

When limited energy sources are available, eukaryotic organisms restrict energy usage. Prolonged starvation induces large-scale reprogramming of metabolism in a response called the low energy syndrome (LES). This is characterised by a repression of biosynthetic activities and growth and by induction of catabolic processes that break down stored molecules to release energy.

Scientists are studying LES in plants with EU-funded support of the project 'Metabolic reprogramming by induction of transcription' (MERIT). Enhancing plant survival is becoming more and more important in light of the increasing world population and climate change, reflected in the participation of a number of industrial partners interested in training new researchers for the plant biotech field. The goal is to understand the mechanisms regulating energy balance in plants and their impact on plant survival under conditions of stress.

The first two years were used largely to establish experimental protocols, generate transgenic lines for testing and begin the search for factors involved in LES. Experiments have already yielded data leading to 10 publications and several others in preparation. Importantly, researchers discovered the first transcription factor(s) (the basic region, leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins) to be directly regulated via phosphorylation by the plant protein kinase SnRK1. They also identified distinct metabolic profiles associated with LES, paving the way to determine the molecules involved in metabolic reprogramming.

The team is now ready to explore the commercial potential of the leads developed so far with highly controlled experiments under reproducible conditions. Active participation of industry leaders in plant productivity and crop science promises the exploitation of discoveries with far-reaching benefits for a growing world population.