Project Details
Remorin-mediated signal transduction
Applicant
Professor Dr. Thomas Ott
Subject Area
Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems
Term
from 2009 to 2016
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 158026536
Plant microbe interactions require several receptors, cytosolic and nuclear proteins to act in concert to trigger molecular and morphological responses to approaching symbiotic or pathogenic bacteria and fungi. We recently identified a novel type of scaffold protein belonging to the remorin family in Medicago truncatula (MtSYMREM1) that is able to interact with at least three receptor-like kinases that are essential for root-nodule symbiosis. While we characterised roles of this protein during later stages of the interaction, its functions during host signal perception of rhizobial Nod Factors and early events of infection remains unknown. The first part of the project aims for the analysis of SYMREM1 protein dynamics with a focus on localisation and interactions with other proteins in its homologous background. In the second part, we will extend our current knowledge to non-legumes. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant we will characterise remorins from other subfamilies and take a global approach to identify signalling pathways that require presence of remorin proteins. Detailed biochemical, genetic and advanced microscopical analyses will provide valuable information to elucidate the functions of these proteins.
DFG Programme
Independent Junior Research Groups