Functional analysis of subtilisin-like serine proteases in Arabidopsis thaliana

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Altmann
• Subject Area: Plant Cell and Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2001 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5352164

The proposed project aims at the functional analysis of the family of subtilisin-like serin protease genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, which includes about 50 members. Known eukaryotic subtilases (mammalian in particular), activate through specific cleavage prohormones or proreceptors involved in the control of various developmental or metabolic processes. Several plant subtilases have been isolated that are potentially involved in signalling processes triggered by environmental stimuli (wounding, pathogen attack) or related to developmental processes. Through the analysis of a corresponding mutant, the Arabidopsis SDD1 subtilase was shown to fulfill an essential function in the control of stomatal density and distribution. To gain insight into the roles of Arabidopsis subtilase genes, they will be subjected to a functional genomics program including sequence analysis, expression studies, and mutant identification and characterisation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Spain, United Kingdom, USA
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Stephen Forde; Professor Dr. Stephen Howell; Dr. Annick Stintzi; Professor Dr. Pablo Vera