Thesis supervisor: Attila Fehér
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Szeged, Dept. of Plant Biology/Biological Research Center, Inst. Plant Biology Abbreviation of location of studies: SzTE
Description of the research topic:
Rho GTPases are versatile molecular switches mediating developmental and environmental signals towards the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane NDPH oxidase, and gene transcription (Brembu et al., 2006). The signaling activity of Rho-type GTPases depends on their GTP-bound conformation that facilitates their binding to downstream effector proteins. Rho GTPase signaling is positively regulated by the guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) facilitating GDP-to-GTP exchange.
In plants, ROP GTPases are central to morphogenesis due to their involvement in the regulation of cell shape and polarity. In addition, they are involved in various hormonal and defense responses. Despite their evolutionary conserved basic structure, plant ROPs have a number of special regulators and effectors including the RopGEFs having the plant-specific "plant ROP nucleotide exchanger" or PRONE domain. During the last couple of years, the involvement of ROPs in receptor signaling mediated by the interaction of RopGEFs with plant cell surface receptor kinases (RLKs) has been experimentally demonstrated. In a recent review, based on emerging data, we hypothesized the widespread use of the RLK-RopGEF-ROP signaling module throughout plant development. However, the signaling of the module towards downstream ROP effectors is hardly elaborated yet. Moreover, there is gap in our knowledge about the role of these ROP-containing signaling modules in plant meristem functions.
Based on our preliminary results as well as on literature data, we propose to focus on the role of ROP-centered signaling in plant meristems. The upstream as well as downstream components of these signaling pathways will be investigated in association with shoot as well as root meristem maintenance and functioning.
Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): English Further requirements: fellowship