<p>Like other eukaryotic cells, plant cells contain an endomembrane
system composed of compartmentalized organelles with specialized functions.
Vesicle trafficking mediates the transport of materials between different
organelles and between cells and the environment. The vesicle trafficking
process is highly dynamic and plays essential roles in maintaining cellular
homeostasis and environmental adaptation. Because of the essential roles of
vesicle trafficking in plant growth and development, genes that are involved in
vesicle trafficking often have redundant
function when they exist as a large family or cause embryonic lethality when
they exist as a signal gene or small gene family. Chemical genetics uses small
molecule inhibitors to affect protein function without interfering with plant’s
genome. Bioactive small molecules can generate a temporary perturbation of a
biological system in a reversible and dose-dependent fashion, which allow us to
observe dynamic cellular processes and discover new components in trafficking
machineries. We recently discovered two small molecules named Endosidin2 (ES2)
and Endosidin20 (ES20) that disrupt vesicle trafficking in plants. ES2 inhibits
exocytosis by targeting the EXO70A1 subunit of the exocyst complex in plant
cells. ES20 targets cellulose synthase (CESA) at the catalytic site and
inhibits the delivery of Cellulose Synthase Complex (CSC) to the plasma
membrane. This research thesis aims to characterize the specificity of ES2 on
EXO70 homologs and identify new genes that mediate CSC trafficking. Drug
Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS) assay was used to test the
specificity of ES2 in targeting different EXO70s in Arabidopsis. Chemical genetic
screen for mutants that have increased sensitivity was conducted to identify
novel genes related to CSC trafficking. This project provides new insights in the
specificity of ES2 in targeting different EXO70s in plants and the regulatory
mechanisms of CSC trafficking that control plant cellulose synthesis.</p><p><br></p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:purdue.edu/oai:figshare.com:article/12561827 |
| Date | 10 September 2022 |
| Creators | Diwen Wang (9022169) |
| Source Sets | Purdue University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis |
| Rights | CC BY 4.0 |
| Relation | https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Understanding_endomembrane_trafficking_in_plant_cells_using_chemical_genetics_approach/12561827 |
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