Functions of serine hydroxymethyltransferases in plant metabolism and gene regulation

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hermann Bauwe
• Subject Area: Plant Physiology
• Term: from 2008 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 59143414

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHM) is a ubiquitous enzyme. In all eukaryotes, isoforms occur in different cellular compartments where they contribute to serine synthesis and pro-vide one-carbon units from serine catabolism. In photosynthesizing organs of plants, mito-chondrial SHM1 is obligatory for the functioning of the photorespiratory glycolate cycle. Plant SHMs are encoded by gene families with seven members in Arabidopsis and probably five members in rice. Except of the photorespiratory SHM1, knowledge about the other isoforms is very limited. This project uses Arabidopsis as a model to answer questions concerning specific metabolic functions of differentially located SHM isoforms in plants. This new knowl-edge will have impact on the understanding of plant one-carbon metabolism including related metabolic pathways and regulatory processes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants