Studies on regulation of floral organ formation based on the molecular mechanism of phyllogen, phyllody-inducing factor

• Project/Area Number: 15K14661
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Plant protection science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Namba Shigetou 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 教授 (50189221)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2016)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
• Keywords: ファイトプラズマ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Phytoplasmas are plant pathogenic bacteria. They induce unique symptoms like phyllody, transformation of plant floral organs into leaf-like structures, and cause serious damages to crop production worldwide. We recently revealed the virulence factor of phyllody, phyllogen, and the target, MADS-domain transcription factors. Moreover, the tertiary structure of MADS-domain proteins were resolved. Taking advantage of these findings, we analyzed the function and structure of phyllogen and also analyzed the molecular interaction between phyllogen and the target.