Cell wall homeostasis mechanisms involved in mechanical optimisation during gravity response.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K05950
• 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: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Iwai Hiroaki 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (30375430)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞壁 / 重力 / 力学的特性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Gravity has been used by plants as a source of information to maintain their own normal position. From more than 40 rice species with altered pectin, hemicellulose and cell wall structural proteins, we sought to identify rice plants with altered gravitropism. The results showed that the angle of recovery from the collapsed state was about 46% higher in xylosidase-overexpressing rice plants and about 10% lower in β-xylanase-overexpressing rice plants. The study also investigated whether pectin, which determines the mechanical properties of the pollen tube pathway or the pollen column, is responsible for regulating fertilization as a physical barrier. Mutants of pectin methyltransferase caused abnormalities in the mechanical properties of the pollen column of the pistil, resulting in the failure of the pollen tube to penetrate.

Free Research Field

植物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

新たな重力応答性細胞壁マーカーの同定は本研究の独創的な点であり、他の環境応答バイオマーカーとの技術融合による建材植物生産効率の大幅向上が期待できる。また、タケやヤシ科植物など、他の建築用資材植物の有料資材獲得の大幅効率化にも寄与できると予想される。これらの成果を元に、重力応答数理予測モデルを構築することは、異分野融合に大きな貢献をするものと期待している。また、重力応答数理予測モデルは、適切な材料を選択することも含め建築設計にも利用できるものを構築したいと考えている。