CrysPINs · Crystal structures of PIN proteins - CrysPINs

Crystal structures of PIN proteins - CrysPINs

The main goal of the “CrysPINS” project is to derive a model for the structure of PIN1 protein, and optionally other PIN proteins, using techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry and crystallography. Members of the PIN family are plant-specific auxin transporters. Auxin is one of the key plant hormones and it is involved in the control of all growth and developmental responses, as well as how plants adapt to their changing environment. Therefore, it is vitally important that we understand how gradients of this hormone are generated and maintained. For these functions plant cells require auxin transporters, and amongst these the PIN proteins are principal players. Although it is well known that PIN proteins drive polar auxin transport, the auxin research community is missing detailed functional and mechanistic models of these enigmatic transporters. The Fellow’s considerable experience from studying auxin metabolism and transport on the cellular and plant levels, combined with the expertise at the University of Warwick on auxin recognition and the structural biology of mammalian membrane transporter proteins, make it timely to move the science forward with a project focussed on the molecular structure of PINs. This goal will reveal how the PINs are energized, and create links with the auxin herbicide industries to explore opportunities for collaborations on agro-pharmaceutical compound design. Societal benefit is very important. Synthetic auxins are used world-wide as herbicides in cereal and rice farms, as well as on amenity turf etc. Resistance to auxin herbicides is becoming increasingly frequent and we need to understand the mechanisms of these resistances so that we might develop strategies to maintain and grow food supply. Through our goal of determining the structure of the PIN auxin transporters we expect to be able to help design new auxins and advise on strategies to limit the damage of herbicide resistances in order to contribute to global food security.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз