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Lipid gradients and the dynamics of the plant endomembrane system: from the nano- to the developmental scales

Project description

Uncovering the role of lipid gradients in the plant endomembrane network

Anionic lipids accumulate in distinct eukaryotic cell membranes, recruiting a unique set of lipid-binding proteins to each compartment. In turn, these proteins regulate trafficking and signalling activities in these compartments. Based on the project team's previous discovery that anionic lipid concentration gradients are present between the membranes of various compartments in plant cells, the EU-funded LIPIDEV project aims to prove the hypothesis that these gradients act as a nexus between signalling and trafficking regulations, thus playing a significant role in coordinating the dynamics of the plant endomembrane network. To that end, the project will deploy a set of innovative approaches, such as optogenetics, subcellular proteomics and super-resolution live imaging, to visualise and perturb anionic lipids in plants, for the first time at relevant spatiotemporal scales.

Objective

Anionic lipids are critical for membrane organization and signaling in eukaryotes, including animals and plants. The dogma is that they accumulate in distinct membranes, thereby recruiting a unique set of lipid-binding proteins to each compartment. In turn, these proteins regulate trafficking and signaling activities on these compartments. However, it is increasingly recognized that anionic lipid distribution is not organelle-specific. In particular, we uncovered the presence of anionic lipids concentration gradients between the membranes of various compartments in plant cells. We further found that these cellular lipid gradients are dynamically regulated during cell differentiation and rapid responses to auxin, one of the major regulators of plant growth and architecture.

Here, we hypothesize that lipid gradients act as a nexus between signaling and trafficking regulations, and thus are critical yet unstudied factors coordinating the very dynamics of the plant endomembrane network.

To test this hypothesis, we will induce controlled fluctuations in anionic lipid gradients to analyze their direct impact on endomembrane morphodynamics, intracellular trafficking and hormone signaling across a broad range of scales ranging from their nano-organization to multicellular development. To do this, we will deploy a portfolio of complementary and innovative approaches, such as optogenetics, subcellular proteomics, and super-resolution live imaging, to visualize and perturb anionic lipids in planta and, for the first time, at relevant spatiotemporal scales.

LIPIDEV represents a complete change of perspective by 1) hypothesizing the importance of lipid gradients in plant cell functions, 2) considering these gradients in their multicellular context, 3) addressing the function of specific lipid pools within cells and tissues, and 4) changing the time scale at which we study anionic lipids, allowing us to dissociate direct and indirect effects associated with these lipids.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG

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Host institution

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 374 844,00
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 374 844,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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