General and Specific Nuclear Gene Regulation by Plastid Signals

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K05942
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: HANAOKA Mitsumasa 千葉大学, 大学院園芸学研究院, 教授 (30508122)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: プラスチドシグナル / 葉緑体 / エピジェネティック制御 / GUN1 / 概日時計 / 光合成

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this study was to clarify the generality and diversity of the regulation of gene expression by "plastid signals," which is responsible for passing information from the chloroplast to the nucleus in plants. An experimental system was established to efficiently and stably monitor the regulation of nuclear gene expression by plastid signaling, and it was shown that epigenetic regulation through changes in histone modifications, especially acetylation and methylation, also contributes to downstream responses, revealing a new mechanism of plastid signaling. In addition, the relationship between chloroplasts and circadian clock regulation, as well as some findings on plastid signaling in photosynthetic microorganisms, have provided an understanding of the diversity of plastid signaling.

Free Research Field

植物分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

プラスチドシグナル伝達については、植物分子細胞生物学分野における最重要課題の1つであり、以前より国内外の多くの研究者から注目が集まっている。本研究により、その新しい分子機構や生理応答の一端を明らかにできたことで、この分野の発展に大きく寄与できたと考えられる。また、本研究でも着目している核ゲノムと葉緑体ゲノムの遺伝子発現協調によって植物の植物の光合成や代謝機能が調節されているので、過酷なストレス環境下に適応が可能な新たな作物の開発など、応用研究に向けての分子基盤としても重要性・将来性は高い。