Project R-13549

ACC, a novel signaling molecule in plants, not just the precursor of ethylene! (Research)

A major challenge in sustainable agriculture is to secure crop productivity under adverse environmental conditions in order to match the growing world population. Plants are exposed to multiple abiotic stresses such as submergence – an increasing problem due to global climate change – and cadmium accumulation in soils, resulting in important crop losses. The phytohormone ethylene is known to be a crucial player in stress control. Apart from being the direct precursor of ethylene, the non-proteinogenic three-membered ring alpha-amino acid ACC, occurs as different metabolites in planta and acts as a signaling molecule independent of ethylene. This project aims to unravel how and under which form ACC regulates normal plant growth and the responses to flooding and heavy metal stress.

01 January 2023 - 31 December 2026