Projects
Projects: Summary of Projects by RegionProjects in Region Scotland involving University of Edinburgh : BB/E013651/1 |
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| Reference Number | BB/E013651/1 | |
| Title | Selective chemical intervention in plant cell wall polysaccharide metabolism: consequences for cell expansion | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of other biomass-derived fuels (incl. Production from wastes)) 50%; Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes)) 50%; |
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| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Prof S (Stephen ) Fry No email address given Institute for Molecular Plant Science University of Edinburgh |
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| Award Type | Research Grant | |
| Funding Source | BBSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 August 2007 | |
| End Date | 31 August 2010 | |
| Duration | 37 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £383,196 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Transport Systems and Vehicles | |
| Region | Scotland | |
| Programme | Selective Chemical Intervention in Biological Systems (SCIBSII) | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Prof S (Stephen ) Fry , Institute for Molecular Plant Science, University of Edinburgh (100.000%) |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | Objectives not supplied | |
| Abstract | The pectin/hemicellulose/cellulose cell wall is unique to plants, indispensable for growth and development, and thus an auspicious source of targets for selective chemical intervention (SCIBS). The 'redundancy' of wall-metabolism genes suggests that SCIBS ('chemical genetics') may be more effective than conventional genetics for defining the biological functions of wall components. We will explore the effects on biological processes (especially cell growth) of non-toxic xenobiotics that specifically inhibit wall-related enzymes. We will devise novel high-throughput assays for wall-related enzymes based on a 'dot-blot' assay for xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XET) activity. Comparable dot-blot assays will now be developed for polysaccharide synthases, acyltransferases, and wall hydrolases. We will also develop novel screens for expansin activities. Expansins weaken inter-polysaccharide hydrogen-bonds; we will explore the use of labelled oligosaccharide/cellulose composites as substrates for high-throughput expansin assays. Xenobiotics will be sourced from libraries of natural products, glycosidase inhibitors and herbicides (with unknown modes of action). We will also derivatise promising xenobiotics by attaching oligosaccharides, and monitor any changes in effectiveness or specificity. Enzymes and expansins to be assayed will be extracted from plants; expansins will be purified by published methods. With these resources, we will screen for xenobiotic effects on wall-related enzymes. Active xenobiotics will be characterised as to their mode and kinetics of inhibition, specificity and phytotoxicity. Suitable xenobiotics will be used to diminish the target enzyme's activity; we will monitor consequent effects on cell expansion and development. The aim is to provide definitive new information on the specific biological significance of selected cell-wall components. | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 22/11/13 | |
