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REPHASE: REdox regulation of PHAse separation for plant Adaptation to Stressful Environments

Project description

Decoding plant resilience to heat stress

When plants confront heat stress, they experience a cascade of responses, including the simultaneous surge of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the formation of stress granules (SGs). ROS, particularly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are known to trigger oxidative post-translational modifications (Oxi-PTMs) in proteins, while elevated temperatures induce the emergence of enigmatic SGs in the cytosol through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Traditionally seen as independent events, recent studies suggest a deeper connection between ROS accumulation and SG formation, especially regarding Oxi-PTMs’ role in regulating protein LLPS. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the REPHASE project sets out to unravel this intricate relationship by probing the redox biology of SGs during heat stress. It will use cutting-edge biosensors and proteomic probes.

Objective

The proposed project explores the intriguing possibility of reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulating the formation of stress granules (SGs) during heat stress. Heat stress triggers the rapid accumulation of ROS, with H2O2 playing a pivotal role as a signalling molecule that induces oxidative post-translational modifications (Oxi-PTMs) to regulate protein activities. On the other hand, an increase in temperature leads to the formation of enigmatic droplets in the cytosol known as SGs. These membraneless organelles (MLOs) arise through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), enabling the concentration of proteins, mRNA, and metabolites to facilitate cellular adaptation. ROS accumulation and SGs formation have traditionally been viewed as independent events in the heat stress response. However, recent studies have shed light on the significance of Oxi-PTMs as regulators of protein LLPS in plants.
Moreover, my preliminary experiments have demonstrated that the chemical blocking of Oxi-PTMs impairs SG formation during heat stress. I propose that ROS accumulation during heat stress induces Oxi-PTMs on proteins, promoting LLPS and facilitating SG formation. The REPHASE project aims to address this hypothesis through two main objectives. Firstly, I will investigate the dynamics of the redox state within SGs during heat stress. Secondly, I will map the landscape of Oxi-PTMs in SGs shedding light on their distribution and functional implications. To achieve these goals, the fluorescent redox biosensor roGFP2-Orp1 and the proteomic OxiTRAP probe YAP1 will be targeted to SGs. Utilizing these innovative methods will enable a comprehensive exploration of the redox biology of SGs, leveraging the state-of-the-art proteomic core and live cell imaging facilities available at the host institute. By bridging the gap between redox signalling and SGs, the REPHASE project promises to provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying plant adaptation to environmental stress.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

VIB VZW
Net EU contribution

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€ 175 920,00
Address
SUZANNE TASSIERSTRAAT 1
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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