Descrizione del progetto
Dinamiche cellulare nella SUMOilazione delle piante e il suo ruolo nello sviluppo del seme
La regolazione dell’attività delle proteine attraverso modifiche post-traduzionali permette risposte fisiologiche precise, che promuovono i programmi di sviluppo corretti e l’adattamento alle sfide ambientali nelle piante. Il modificatore essenziale noto come modificatore del tipo ubiquitina o SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-MOdifier) si lega alle proteine in tre fasi, regolate dagli enzimi altamente specifici E1, E2 ed E3. Nonostante la coniugazione di SUMO avvenga principalmente nel nucleo, il suo ruolo nel citosol inizia a farsi prominente. Con il sostegno del programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, il progetto SUMOCell studierà i meccanismi che attivano la localizzazione parziale della grande subunità dell’enzima SUMO attivante E1 (SAE2) nel citosol e le sue conseguenze per lo sviluppo del seme. I dati ricavati da approcci multidisciplinari saranno tradotti in modelli, che costituiranno la base di possibili attività di previsione della qualità delle sementi.
Obiettivo
Post-translational modifications by SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier) modulate protein activity through regulation of subcellular localization, protein activity and stability, and protein-protein interactions. In plants, SUMO is essential during seed development, modulates hormone signaling, and biotic/abiotic stress responses. Several studies point to a nuclear enrichment of SUMO conjugation machinery, which is consistent with a preferential nuclear localization of the SUMO targets. Nonetheless, non–nuclear targets exist and the molecular mechanisms that mediate their modification remain elusive. Dr Lois’s group has uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism consisting of the processing of the C-terminus of the SUMO E1-activating enzyme large subunit, SAE2. Processed SAE2 partially localize to the cytosol and the processing activity is prominent at the transition between embryo growth and seed maturation. Accumulation of SAE2 in the cytosol promotes cytosolic SUMOylation and behave as a signal for growth arrest, suggesting that SAE2 processing could contribute to finalising embryogenesis. SUMOCell aims to uncover the signals that trigger SAE2 cytosolic localization and the cellular responses activated by cytosolic SUMOylation. First, with Duke University partner, we will study SAE2 subcellular dynamics using super-resolution microscopy, under hormone treatments and stress challenges. Second, we will study the physiological processes regulated by SAE2 localization to the cytosol. For that, we will perform single-cell RNAseq studies from cells enriched in cytosolic SAE2. Bioinformatics analysis will be carried out by a placement at Sequentia SL. Finally, we will analyse physiological parameters related to seed quality. Data obtained from cell studies, transcriptomics and seed performance will be integrated in a signalling model to understand the role of cytosolic SUMO conjugation in seed development, providing a multidisciplinar training program.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomics
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopysuper resolution microscopy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologymolecular evolution
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-AG-UN - HORIZON Unit GrantCoordinatore
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
Spagna