Final Activity Report Summary - BIOCELLCHARABRX (Biochemical and cell biological characterization of BRX, a novel regulator of root architecture in Arabidopsis, and its role in hormone homeostasis)
In this project, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which a regulatory gene of the model plant Arabidopsis influences plant growth and development. We generated evidence that this gene is a limiting factor for plant growth through regulating, and responding to plant hormone pathways in an unprecedented molecular manner. It turned out that the protein encoded by this gene initially localizes to the plasma membrane of cells, and only transfers to the nucleus to regulate gene expression if instructed by a certain plant hormone. Although primarily important for root system development, this gene also has a rate-limiting function in shoot growth.
As this gene is highly conserved among all higher plant species for which sequencing information is available, our data suggest that our results are applicable to other plants, including all major crops. Thus, eventually, manipulation of the activity level of the corresponding protein in crops might lead to increased yield, a potential application that should follow our research.