[Plant molecules] Year Started : 2021

Hiroaki Adachi

Comparative genomics based elucidation and design of plant immune receptor networks

Researcher
Hiroaki Adachi


PRESTO Researcher
Japan Science and Technology Agency

Outline

In plants, diversified immune receptors have evolved into complex molecular networks to recognize diverse plant pathogens and induce immune responses. In this project, based on genome sequence information of resistant plant species and accessions, I aim to identify novel immune receptor genes, validate functions of the receptors and model whole functional receptor networks. I will exploit the immune receptor network model for developing a new molecular breeding technique of disease resistant crops.

Mina Ohtsu

‘Cell Fusion’ of secret in plant cells: How does the cyst nematode fuse plant cells?

Researcher
Mina Ohtsu

Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Science and Technology
Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Outline

Cell fusion is one of the most important phenomena for multicellular organisms. In plants, however, the cell fusion mechanism is largely unknown. Interestingly, plant parasitic cyst nematodes induce cell fusions in host cells and acquire nutrients from the big multinuclear structure, called syncytium. In this project, I use Heterodera schachtii and Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system to elucidate the plant cell fusion mechanism. By combining a live imaging of the syncytium formation process and single cell multiomics analyses, I keen to find a key molecule for the plant cell fusion and understand ‘Cell fusion in plant’.

Yudai Okuyama

Clarifying the chemical and genetic basis of insect manipulation in “mimic flowers”

Researcher
Yudai Okuyama

Senior Curator
Department of Botany
National Museum of Nature and Science

Outline

Using the living collection of more than 100 species of the genera Asarum and Arisaema, which bear “mimic flowers,” this project will establish datasets of floral scent profiles, floral transcriptomes, and flower-visiting insects. Analyses of the associations among these datasets coupled with experiments will link their chemistry, genetics, and life histories. This will elucidate novel mechanisms of insect manipulation by plants and will change our view of plant biosynthesis in general.

Yoshinobu Kato

Molecular function of the cuticle layer as a plant reproductive barrier

Researcher
Yoshinobu Kato

Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Outline

Angiosperms maintain their genetic diversity by exchanging pollen. The pollen is recognized by the stigma, and the only compatible pollen can penetrate the pistil. The goal of this study is to clarify the molecular mechanism of pollen recognition, which involves the cuticle layer. Furthermore, this study aims to develop a fundamental technology to artificially control this authentication mechanism that will lead to the expansion of horticultural and breeding development.

Hajime Sato

Mechanistic investigation and rational engineering of terpene cyclases and oxidases based on computational chemistry

Researcher
Hajime Sato

Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research
University of Yamanashi

Outline

The structural diversity of secondary metabolites is produced by a combination of skeleton-building and modification enzymes. In this study, we focus on terpene cyclases and iron-dependent oxidases as models, and investigate their reaction mechanisms in detail using both DFT calculations and experiment. The goal of this project is to clarify the structural diversification mechanism. Furthermore, we will redesign the enzymes based on the calculation results to produce novel natural products and plant molecules.

Kenji Suetsugu

Mycorrhizal cheating mediated by signaling molecules

Researcher
Kenji Suetsugu

Professor
Graduate School of Science
Kobe University

Outline

Until now, evolutionary biologists on mycorrhizal symbiosis have usually assumed that both plants and mycorrhizal fungi can discriminate the quality of each partner. Therefore, the evolution of mycorrhizal cheating has been a great mystery. In this study, we aim to clarify the molecular and chemical basis that allows plants to deceive mycorrhizal fungi, based on the findings obtained from (i) a culture system producing autotrophic and mycoheterotrophic phenotypes within the same plant species and (ii) a convergent analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling in mycoheterotrophic plants collected in situ.

Kanako Sekimoto

Spatiotemporal imaging of volatile molecules emitted from plants into atmosphere

Researcher
Kanako Sekimoto

Associate Professor
Graduate School of Nanobioscience
Yokohama City University

Outline

Plants emit a large variety of volatile molecules into the atmosphere. Many such plant species have allelopathic effects on other plants and various insects. However, it is challenging to identify specific molecules causing allelopathy and to comprehensively understand the mechanisms of its effects, due to the difficulty of capturing various trace gases in real time and simultaneously. In this project, I will develop a mass spectrometry technique to comprehensively analyze and visualize emissions and the spatiotemporal behavior of various volatile plant molecules in real time. This technique will result in findings of novel allelopathic effects and mechanisms.

Yohei Takahashi

Molecular mechanisms of carbon dioxide sensing and signal transduction in plants

Researcher
Yohei Takahashi

Designated Associate Professor
Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules
Nagoya University

Outline

This study aims to elucidate how plants perceive changes in carbon dioxide concentration. We will focus on stomata, which are responsible for more than 90% of the gas exchange that occurs between plants and the atmosphere. We will uncover currently unknown intracellular signal transduction mechanisms that sense carbon dioxide and then induce stomatal closure using a complex approach that will combine biochemistry, molecular genetics, and chemical biology methods. Furthermore, we aim to discover further findings such as the isolation and development of new innovative bioactive small molecules that have the potential to promote plant carbon dioxide uptake and improve water use efficiency.

Kosuke Fukui

A concept of “Germination Switch” : identification of the mechanism for strict seed dormancy and application of signaling chemicals for breaking seed dormancy

Researcher
Kosuke Fukui

Associate professor
Faculty of Science Division I
Tokyo University of science

Outline

Some wild plants have regulatory systems to keep a seed dormant in order to avoid seed germination under unfavorable conditions. The seed dormancy can be released either by temperature changes, physical stimuli, or chemical stimuli. In this research, I will try to identify the mechanism of strong seed dormancy that can be released by chemical treatment, and try to develop a highly active and highly selective chemicals releasing the dormancy. I will apply them to construct “Germination Switch”, a controllable seed germination system, with seed dormancy system itself as the “OFF” switch and the chemicals releasing the dormancy as the “ON” switch.

Yasuyuki Yamada

Metabolic engineering of plant-specialized metabolism based on diversified regulatory mechanisms

Researcher
Yasuyuki Yamada

Lecturer
Faculty of Pharmacy
Kobe Pharmaceutical University

Outline

Plants produce numerous specialized metabolites, some of which are used as medicines. However, owing to decreased plant resources, the stable supply of such useful compounds may be challenging in the future. In this study, I try to elucidate the relationships between functional diversification of transcription factors involved in the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites and their diversified pathways. Based on these findings, I aim to establish innovative systems, such as the selective enhancement of metabolic flow, for controlling the productivity of useful compounds.

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