BioComp-2.0-Projekt #10

Dynamic changes in the proteom/lipidom in subcellular membranes from Camelina sativa

 

Ekkehard Neuhaus – Frederik Sommer/Michael Schroda – Timo Mühlhaus

 

Our group has considerable experience in the analysis of transport processes in Arabidopsis. In the recent past we mainly focused on transport across the membrane of vacuoles and chloroplasts, with special emphasis on sugar transport. In the course of these studies we identified several novel transporters on the molecular level and we were able to identify (in several cases) that corresponding dynamic import and export processes contribute significantly to the tolerance of Arabidopsis against abiotic stress stimuli and to plant (seed) yield (Chardon et al. 2013, Hedrich et al. 2015, Klemens et al. 2013, Klemens et al. 2014, Wingenter et al. 2010). Although Arabidopsis is a perfect model plant, a direct translation of insights from this species to crop species is not possible. Thus, we aim to introduce Camelina sativa into our laboratory.

Changing climate conditions and increasing problems with the control of pests and diseases in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) urgently require the development of an alternative crop. The neglected oilseed false flax (Camelina sativa, German: Leindotter) could become this alternative. Camelina is a drought tolerant crop, which can be cultivated on marginal lands and it is genectically very closely related to other Brassicaceae, like Arabidopsis and rape seed. Furthermore, it is resistant to diseases and to a number of insect pests, which currently affect oilseed rape cultivation. The worldwide demand of vegetable oil for human consumption and as a feedstock for the chemical industry is constantly increasing. The genome of Camelina has recently been sequenced, facilitating the identification of homologous gene copies. In addition, the sequenced genome allows to identify proteins via mass spectrometry.

We aim to establish most experimental techniques, routinely used for Arabidopsis, for analysis of Camelina sativa. We will then identify the membrane proteome of Camelina vacuoles and chloroplasts before and after onset of stress stimuli like drought, cold and high light. Given the great importance membrane lipids for transporter function dynamic changes in structural lipid composition of vacuolar and chloroplastic membranes will also be monitored.

 

References

  1. Chardon, F., Bedu, M., Calenge, F., Klemens, P.A., Spinner, L., Clement, G., Chietera, G., Leran, S., Ferrand, M., Lacombe, B., Loudet, O., Dinant, S., Bellini, C., Neuhaus, H.E., Daniel-Vedele, F. and Krapp, A. (2013) Leaf fructose content is controlled by the vacuolar transporter SWEET17 in Arabidopsis. Curr.Biol., 23, 697-702.
  2. Hedrich, R., Sauer, N. and Neuhaus, H.E. (2015) Sugar transport across the plant vacuolar membrane: nature and regulation of carrier proteins. Curr.Opin.Plant Biol., 25, 63-70.
  3. Klemens, P.A., Patzke, K., Deitmer, J., Spinner, L., Le, H.R., Bellini, C., Bedu, M., Chardon, F., Krapp, A. and Neuhaus, H.E. (2013) Overexpression of the vacuolar sugar carrier AtSWEET16 modifies germination, growth, and stress tolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol, 163, 1338-1352.
  4. Klemens, P.A., Patzke, K., Trentmann, O., Poschet, G., Büttner, M., Schulz, A., Marten, I., Hedrich, R. and Neuhaus, H.E. (2014) Overexpression of a proton-coupled vacuolar glucose exporter impairs freezing tolerance and seed germination. New Phytol., 202, 188-197.
  5. Wingenter, K., Schulz, A., Wormit, A., Wic, S., Trentmann, O., Hörmiller, I.I., Heyer, A.G., Marten, I., Hedrich, R. and Neuhaus, H.E. (2010) Increased activity of the vacuolar monosaccharide transporter TMT1 alters cellular sugar partitioning, sugar signalling and seed yield in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol., 154, 665-677.