TorCrop · Linking the Target of Rapamycin signalling to cell cycle progression during tuber initiation and its impact on potato yield parameters
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31
- EU contribution
- €187,572
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Linking the Target of Rapamycin signalling to cell cycle progression during tuber initiation and its impact on potato yield parameters
Potato is one of the most important food crops, therefore producing high yields of high-quality potatoes are in great demand worldwide. The consumable potato tubers are underground organs that were evolved to store nutrients and energy for the plant. A better understanding in the regulation of tuber formation is crucial to advance our biological understanding for improving potato yields and developing more resilient potato cultivars. In the TORCrop project we focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in the process of tuber initiation. Tubers are normally developing on underground stems called stolons. The systemic signals that promote tuber formation are produced in the leaves and transported to the stolon tips. We know that during this process a rapid activation of cell cycle occurs in the subapical region of the stolon that will create the “tuber meristem”. Several genes have been identified as playing a role in the initiation and regulation of tuber development in potato, however, the complex interplay between these genes and environmental factors remains an ongoing area of research. In plants, the evolutionary conserved Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway emerged as a central regulator of cell cycle and meristem activity. TOR research in various crops is an emerging field due to its conserved role in regulating organ growth, metabolism, and stress responses, this prompted us to investigate the possible involvement of TOR signaling in tuber initiation. The workflow of the project was organized in 3 work packages that correspond to project objectives.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Potato tubers are nutrient storage organs that develop from underground stems called stolons through a process called tuberisation. This process is under the control of extrinsic and intrinsic signals, however, little is known about how these signals initiate and maintain tuber growth. We know that the first step is the initiation of cell division at the subapical region of the stolon, however, how this cell division is promoted and coordinated through developmental programs has not yet been studied. The TorCrop project will build on knowledge accumulated through fundamental research in model organisms to gain molecular insight in tuber initiation and growth. For this purpose, we will induce tuber growth by sugar and characterise the cell proliferation and cell growth during tuber formation. As next step, we will explore how the nutrient sensing Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway contributes to this and is there any hierarchical connection between TOR and the “tuberigen” signal. Then, we will identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that define tuber size, size distribution which is connected to enhanced TOR activation. We will also analyse allelic variations in identified candidate genes and link these to phenotypic variations available from breeding companies and in public databases. Finally, we will create predictive mathematical models that describe cell size, number and changes throughout tuberisation in relation to tuber size and ultimately yield. Therefore, the project will provide a better understanding on organ development and ultimately yield in crops by providing knowledge at molecular and systems biology levels.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY · WageningenCoordinatorNetherlands
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101032175
- https://research.wur.nl/en/projects/linking-the-target-of-rapamycin-signalling-to-cell-cycle-progress
Data: CORDIS, © European Union