Uncovering the role of RBPs in plant immunity - AfS, ENWW
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP
Abstract
RNA-Binding Proteins (RBPs) have emerged as master regulators of gene expression and are essential for cellular RNA homeostasis. Even though the function of RBPs in several cellular processes have been extensively studied for metazoans, bacteria and viruses, plant RBPs have received little attention in the literature. Moreover, although recent studies have pinpointed the importance of RBPs in plant immunity, the evidence that RBPs play important roles in stress responses has been collected stepwise and comprehensive approaches are lacking. Therefore, by applying the cutting-edge technique RNA interactome capture to Nicotiana benthamiana plants infected with Pseudomonas syringae, the identity of RBPs involved in the plant defence response against pathogens will be determined. Targeted functional analyses will be performed to further validate the identified RBPs and determine their specific role in RBP-mediated plant immunity. Altering the levels of accumulation of the identified RBPs in planta and assessing the resistance/susceptibility of these plants along with with identification of the RBP partners will allow us to characterize the precise function of candidate RBPs. Knowledge obtained in this project will enable us to get a deeper insight into the plant immunity specifically regarding the function of these essential regulators, the RNA-binding proteins.
BBSRC priority areas the proposed research addresses:
Food, nutrition and health, Sustainably enhancing agricultural production, Environment and Land Use Global Food Security
BBSRC priority areas the proposed research addresses:
Food, nutrition and health, Sustainably enhancing agricultural production, Environment and Land Use Global Food Security
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011224/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1810135 | Studentship | BB/M011224/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 |
| Description | The use of a technique termed 'RNA interactome capture' that has enabled global identification of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) under several specific cellular states and conditions. From publication in 2013, this technique has been largely applied to identify the RBPs functioning in different human cell lines and organisms. Extremely recently, there has been a rising interest in the use of this technique to examine the unexplored field of plant RNA-binding proteins. During these past months I have successfully adapted this cutting-edge technique not only to Arabidopsis thaliana, but to other plant species. I am currently exploiting this technique to investigate the specific role some RBPs might have in the plant defense against pathogens. |
| Exploitation Route | RNA-binding proteins are vital proteins for normal cell functioning for any living organism and have been extensively studied in organisms such as humans, flies, worms or yeast. However, there is a profound lack of knowledge about RBPs in plants. Additionally, most of the studies focusing on these proteins in plants (and their role in plant immunity) have been collected step-wise. Therefore, comprehensive approaches are lacking to determine the scope of RBPs involved in plant defense responses. My research will provide a system-wide analysis on the role of RBPs in plant immunity. This will boost our knowledge on plant RBPs and will be extremely useful for the scientific community, specially for researchers in the RNA biology field. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Title | Adaptation of RNA Interactome Capture to multiple plant species |
| Description | Detailed in 'Key Findings section' |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Detailed in 'Key Findings section' |