Ecotype analysis for functional domain mapping of plant RNA editing proteins

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Mizuki Takenaka
• Subject Area: Plant Genetics and Genomics ; Plant Physiology
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 236617702

RNA Editing in mitochondria and plastids of plants alters certain C nucleotides to U in mRNAs and tRNAs. A number of specific and general protein factors have recently been identified. Specific factors are characterized by repeat elements of about 35 amino acids which presumably contact individual nucleotides, the function of the other domains is unknown. The more general, likewise essential factors exhibit a conserved central domain, their function is not known. This project proposes to analyse the functional contributions of the various domains in these RNA editing proteins by exploiting the natural variation between ecotypes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Ecotype specific differences with effect on the function of the respective protein will reveal crucial information on the importance of individual amino acid positions. These insights into the tolerated variations of the protein surfaces and landscapes will allow predictions of the function and structure of these proteins. These will be tested experimentally.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants