Suberin in rice roots: biosynthesis, chemical composition and barrier properties

• Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Lukas Schreiber
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Pflanzenphysiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2013 bis 2016
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 229201040

Rice is one of the most important crop species in the world. Previous research provided multiple correlative evidences that the tolerance towards drought, oxygen deficiency and salt stress partially depends on the formation of suberin in root cell walls establishing the root/soil interface. Enhanced root suberization can improve survival of rice under severe stress conditions. Therefore, a more detailed knowledge on the molecular factors involved in biosynthesis, chemical composition and barrier properties of suberin in rice roots is desirable. Potential candidate genes for suberin biosynthesis in rice can accurately be identified using bioinformatic approaches and sequences from suberin biosynthesis genes, which have successfully been identified and characterized in the past in Arabidopsis. Organ- and tissue-specific expression and cloning of these candidate genes will be done by molecular biological techniques (PCR and Real Time RT-PCR). Chemical composition of suberin in transgenic rice plants over-expressing or lacking expression of these potential candidate genes will further be characterized by chemical-analytical tools (gas chromatography and mass spectrometry). Finally, radial transport of water, oxygen and solutes in roots of transgenic rice plants with altered suberin composition will be investigated using biophysical techniques (pressure probe, pressure chambers and oxygen electrode). This combined approach should finally allow the identification of key genes in rice root suberin biosynthesis. This information should be helpful in future improving stress tolerance of rice cultivars.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen
• Internationaler Bezug: China, Japan, Süd-Korea
• Beteiligte Personen: Professor Dr. Gynheung An; Dr. Rochus Benni Franke; Professor Dr. Mikio Nakazono; Professor Dr. Dabing Zhang