Identification of a New Component of the Photorespiratory C2 Cycle in Arabidopsis and Analysis of its Function in Metabolism

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hermann Bauwe
• Subject Area: Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Term: from 2005 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 18304682

A re-examination in our group of Arabidopsis EMS mutants defective in proteins contributing to the photorespiratory C2 cycle indicates the presence of additional and as yet unidentified components of this pathway. Our project focuses on one of the candidate genes, GLD1, whose mutation leads to an air-sensitive phenotype and severe glycine accumulation under photorespiratory conditions (Somerville and Ogren, 1982). We have mapped the affected gene on the left arm of chromosome 2 which does not encode any enzyme known to contribute to the C2 cycle. We want to identify the gene to then analyse the properties and metabolic function of the respective protein. This work will contribute to a more complete knowledge of one of the major pathways of plant primary metabolism that is linked to photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and one-carbon metabolism.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants