Project R-3658

Deficiency and toxicity of micronutrients (copper and zinc): the reducing potential as a driving force in plant responses (Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea) (Research)

Metals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), function as essential micronutrients, and plant productivity is negatively affected in conditions of deficiency or excess. Despite their different redox behaviour, both conditions induce oxidative stress in plants. The cellular reducing potential (NADPH) is essential in recycling the antioxidative metabolites to their reduced state. The primary metabolism produces (1) this reducing potential and (2) primary carbohydrates, basic structures for several antioxidants. The current research proposal aims to relate the capacity of the primary metabolism with the maintenance of the cellular redox homeostasis in plants under Cu/Zn deficiency or excess. In this project, Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea seedlings are grown under conditions of Cu/Zn deficiency or excess in hydroponic systems. The cellular redox state, the reducing potential, and the primary metabolism are studied at different biological organisation levels (transcript analysis, protein abundance and activity, metabolite quantification). The combination of a non-targeted proteomic 2D-DiGE technique together with a novel technique targeting the chloroplast proteome is used to further reveal the involvement of the primary carbon metabolism and the effect of oxidative stress on the redox regulation of the primary metabolism.

01 January 2012 - 31 December 2015