The function of the plant RCD1-SRO gene family: a systems biology approach
Consortium leader: Professor JAAKKO KANGASJÄRVI
Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki
Other project leaders of the consortium:
Markku Keinänen, professor, Department of Biology, University of Joensuu
Doctoral students of the consortium:
Tiina Kuusela
Pinja Pulkkinen
Key words: Arabidopsis, oxidative stress, transcript profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, gene family, signal transduction, plant hormones
Project description and main results:
The complete genome sequence of the most widely used model plant in plant biology, thale cress, Arabidopsis thaliana was completed at the end of year 2000, but still the functions of fewer than half of the about 30 000 genes in its genome are known with any confidence. One of the specific features in the genome of Arabidopsis, when compared with the genome structure of other eukaryotic organisms, was the high number of gene families. The significance of gene families most likely relates to the fine tuning of the responses to the ever-changing environment and acclimation and adaptation to these conditions. We have earlier identified by mutant screening and map/genomic sequence-based identification a small gene family in Arabidopsis that is centrally involved in the interaction of several hormonal signaling cascades and affects the regulation of reactive oxygen species-dependent programmed cell death. The exact function of the proteins encoded by this RCD-SRO (RCD, Radical-induced Cell Death; SRO, Similar to RCD One) gene family is unknown, although both experimental evidence and computer predictions suggest that the members of the protein family are involved in the hormonal regulation of transcription factors central to stress acclimation. In the project proposed here we will elucidate the role and function of the RCD1-SRO gene/protein family members by systems-approach by combining knock-out insertion mutagenesis of all members of the gene/protein family with transcript profiling with Arabidopsis micro arrays, protein profiling by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and protein identification, and metabolic profiling. With this data we will form a comprehensive model on the function and role of the members of the protein family in regulation of gene expression under normal development and as a response to stress and how this reflects to the metabolites and the performance of the whole plant.
Publications: