Modulation of ABA signaling by Ca2+-dependent posttranslational regulation

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Maik Böhmer
• Subject Area: Plant Cell and Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2011 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 210911670

The proposed project aims to investigate the complex regulatory network that modulates activation of SNF1-RELATED KINASES 2 (SNRK2) in response to the drought hormone Abscisic acid (ABA) and to identify SNRK2 target proteins. In general, this project is focused on phosphorylation events and protein-protein interactions as well as interaction with other plant signaling pathways that tightly control signaling through SNRK2 kinases. Specifically this project aims to: (a) analyze the regulation of SNRK2 kinases via upstream events, including CALCINEURIN B LIKE (CBL) proteins and CBL-INTERACTING PROTEIN KINASE (CIPK) activity, Jasmonic acid signaling and bacterial effectors, (b) characterize ABA-induced phosphorylation events on a proteome level and identify SNRK2 kinase substrates by comparison of phosphorylation patterns in kinase mutants and wildtype plants. This project will generate insight into the complex interactions between ABA and other hormone and pathogen-activated signaling pathways in stomatal regulation. Moreover, it will provide a new approach to kinetic analysis of abiotic signaling events and aims to identify the molecular basis of pathogen control of stomatal regulation events.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants