Kurzbeschreibung
(Englisch)
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Plants are known to maintain metal ion homeostasis through sophisticated molecular mechanisms that tightly control the acquisition and distribution of metal ions to the specific compartments and for storage. We propose to study the molecular mechanisms underlying micro-nutrient composition in the wheat grains, focusing on zinc and iron. We will study the ex-pression of endogenous genes, specifically playing a role in re-mobilization of micro-nutrients from flag leaves to grains and will focus on the interplay between iron and zinc homeostasis in wheat. We will further study the expression of ho-meostasis related genes in different farming systems (wheat plants grown under different fertilization practices). This project will allow us to identify the steps that limit iron and zinc translocation within the plant with respect to grain load-ing in wheat. This will also allow us to establish a comprehensive working molecular model for zinc and iron mobilization within the plant and deposition in the wheat grain, the information which is currently limited. The project will generate inter-esting information on candidate genes that can be followed up in breeding strategies or genetic engineering approaches to improve grain micronutrient content, such as zinc and Fe, in cereals. With its multi-faceted approach, the project will pro-vide novel insights into molecular and agronomic aspects of plant biofortification of essential micro-nutrients.
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Partner und Internationale Organisationen
(Englisch)
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AT, BE, BG, CH, CZ, DE, DK, EL, ES, FI, FR, HU, IL, IT, LT, LU, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, TR, UK
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Abstract
(Englisch)
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Large proportion of world’s population is affected by mineral malnutrition, most prominently iron and zinc deficiencies. Cereals, the important source of food worldwide, are a poor source of micronutrients. Therefore, enriching the edible parts of staple cereals such as wheat and rice with bioavailable iron and zinc are expected to significantly contribute in solving the issue of micro-nutrient malnutrition. Plants are known to maintain metal ion homeostasis through sophisticated molecular mechanisms that tightly control the acquisition and distribution of metal ions to the specific compartments and for storage. Studies on different plant species have allowed identification of several transporters that are potentially involved in metal ion homeostasis. However, specific function of many of these transporters remains unclear and currently, we are very much limited on the knowledge of bottlenecks for transport of metals to grains. In this project, we studied the molecular mechanisms underlying micro-nutrient translocation in wheat, focusing on zinc and iron. We used RNA sequencing and real time PCR to study the expression of endogenous genes in wheat, which specifically play a role in metal uptake and translocation. The comparison of genes expressed in the leaf and root tissues of wheat plants subjected to iron and zinc deficient conditions revealed several differentially expressed genes specific to individual treatments as well as tissue types. Several genes and gene families, which might play key roles in wheat iron homeostasis, were identified in this project. 34 selected candidate genes were evaluated for their expression in different plant growth stages during grain filling. Potential quantitative real-time PCR reference genes were also characterized in wheat roots, flag leaves and grains. This project revealed the expression patterns of a number of genes (modulated under iron and zinc deficiencies) which could be used in future breeding strategies or genetic engineering approaches to improve grain micronutrient content, such as zinc and iron, in wheat. At the same time, the project also provides a deep insight into the iron and zinc homeostasis related gene responses in the bread wheat genome.
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