In most metazoans, different heterotrimeric G protein complexes couple many different upstream signals to different downstream effectors such as adenyl cyclase, ion channels, and phospholipases. However, in Arabidopsis, there is only a single canonical heterotrimeric G protein complex that nonetheless controls different plant responses. We do not know how this is accomplished nor do we know what receptors activate this G protein complex. Recent technical advances from my group using both gain- and loss-of-function approaches to understand the function of Arabidopsis G protein subunits will enable us to determine the molecular role of this G protein complex in various signaling pathways. There are three focus areas for this project: auxin control of root development, hypocotyl development; and multi-signal control of seed germination. Specifically, we will: 1. determine auxin responsiveness of G protein mutants and overexpressors and examine the signal cross-talk controlling seed germination, 2. identify and characterize genetic and physical interactors of Galpha and Gbeta using extragenic suppressor screens including activation mutagenesis and using cytosolic protein-protein interaction assays, and 3. test putative functions of a small set of candidate GPCRs using reverse genetic approaches. In summary, the goal is to test the hypothesis that auxin utilizes heterotrimeric G proteins in signal transduction. This work also addresses a longstanding problem on the mechanism of signal cross-talk. Because, the single Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein appears to be central to multiple signal pathways, genetic studies using Arabidopsis may reveal the core mechanism of signal integration, which is likely to be shared universally.
NIH ExPorter
NIH ExPorter