Erstellung von Proteom-Referenzkarten für somatische und zygotische Embryonen von Cyclamen persicum zur Beschreibung und Optimierung der somatischen Embryogenese als Vermehrungssystem

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Braun, since 11/2007
• Subject Area: Plant Cultivation, Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Technology
• Term: from 2007 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 48206166

The overall aim of our research is to obtain a deeper understanding of physiological processes involved in embryogenesis in the economically important ornamental plant Cyclamen persicum and to use this for improving the in vitro culture conditions to produce somatic embryos of high quality. Within the first period of the project we established a proteome reference map for somatic and zygotic embryos with 247 identified proteins. The proteomic comparison of somatic and zygotic embryos revealed a set of differentially abundant proteins and one especially interesting hypothesis of novel function of the glycolytic enzyme enolase in truncated forms as storage protein. Remarkable amounts of different forms of enolase proteins (including so-called “small enolases”) were detected in zygotic embryos. Within this second project period we propose to test this hypothesis by analyses on the genomic, transcriptional and protein level. We will isolate and characterize the enolase genes from Cyclamen to clarify the possibilities of genomic rearrangements as causes of “small enolases”. In order to test the occurrence of alternative splicing forms and to study the temporal and spatial expression of enolases we plan to perform transcriptional analyses. The question, if protein processing or protein splicing is responsible for the formation of “small enolases” will be addressed by N-terminal sequencing of enolase proteins. Detailed studies of protein structure, complex formation and accumulation patterns will round up the investigations and allow new insights into the role of enolases in embryogenesis and seed formation. The possibility that enolases may serve as markers for mature somatic embryos of high quality will be evaluated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Traud Winkelmann, until 10/2007