Department/Institute: LMU Faculty of Biology, Plant Metabolism

Subject areas/Research fields: Botany and Plant Science, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Systems Biology

Keywords: cold acclimation, CP12, photosynthesis, proteomics, redox regulation

Name of supervisor: Prof. Dr. Peter Geigenberger

Project title: Role of NTRC in Acclimation of Plants to Low Temperatures

Project description:

Low temperature is a crucial factor for plant performance and distribution. In cold conditions, light energy absorption exceeds its metabolic utilization in the Calvin-Benson cycle (CBC), leading to photoinhibition. A drop to sub-freezing temperatures results in ice formation and dehydration, causing severe cellular damage. Cold acclimation in plants enhances freezing tolerance in cold-hardy plants, which is associated with increased photosynthesis and the accumulation of soluble sugars.

Our preliminary research identified the chloroplast redox-regulator NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC) as a key mediator in cold acclimation. We discovered an interaction between NTRC and the CBC Protein 12 (CP12), leading to redox-activation of the CBC by triggering the dissociation of an autoinhibitory PRK/CP12/GAPDH protein complex in the cold. This project aims to analyze the underlying mechanisms and signaling components using reverse genetics, metabolomics, and redox proteomics in Arabidopsis thaliana.

References:

Teh JT, Leitz V, Holzer VJC, Neusius D, Marino G, Meitzel T, García Cerdan JG, Dent RM, Niyogi KK, Geigenberger P/Nickelsen J (2023) NTRC regulates CP12 to activate Calvin-Benson cycle during cold acclimation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 120, e2306338120; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2306338120

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Peter Geigenberger: geigenberger@bio.lmu.de

Research group website:

https://www.en.botanik.bio.lmu.de/research/geigenberger/index.html

Apply: Please send your application through the online portal of the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM)