TOLs and their interaction with canonical components of the plants' sorting machinery
- Biotechnologie
Abstract
2. Abstract Endosomal vesicular transport is of central importance in many vital aspects in higher plant cells. Although these pathways are quite well defined on a molecular level in yeast and animal cells, only recently the focus has shifted to plants, with a special emphasis on plant-specific trafficking routes and unique functions of molecular players in the plant endosomal trafficking system. This research project aims to increase the understanding of the endosomal trafficking in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana by examining the potential role of the nine different plant specific VHS-GAT domain proteins in post-Golgi vesicular transport. VHS-GAT domain proteins are present in all eukaryotic kingdoms. In higher plants, there is one highly extended family of VHS-GAT domain proteins - the TOL proteins. We have recently managed to show, that TOL protein substitute for the missing ESCRT-0 proteins (VHS-GAT domain subfamily in yeast and mammals), acting as principal gating factors for recognition of ubiquitinated cargo at the plasma membrane. Yet, while some TOL proteins function analogous to the ESCRT-0, others might perform diverse functions characteristic for other VHS-GAT domain proteins, or even plant-specific unique functions. Specifically, the proposed work should clarify aspects of endosomal trafficking in plants that require TOLs and how this involvement is achieved. To this end we will perform in vitro binding assays of TOLs to essential components of the plants sorting machinery. Furthermore site-directed mutagenesis and deletion mutant should help clarify which domains of the TOLs are involved. The expected insights obtained from these in vitro assays will help establish the scientific foundation needed for the design of future in vivo assays and give a direction on research on the TOL endosomal adaptors in general. Furthermore it should represent the cornerstone for further studies, addressing the control of protein trafficking in the endosomal system of higher plants.
Project staff
Barbara Korbei
Priv.Doz. Mag. Dr. Barbara Korbei
barbara.korbei@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-94230
Project Leader
01.01.2015 - 31.12.2015