Saccharomyces cerevisiae FKBP12 binds Arabidopsis thaliana TOR and its expression in plants leads to rapamycin susceptibility
2007

How a Yeast Protein Affects Plant Growth

Sample size: 20 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sormani Rodnay, Yao Lei, Menand Benoît, Ennar Najla, Lecampion Cécile, Meyer Christian, Robaglia Christophe

Primary Institution: DSV-DEVM Laboratoire de Génétique et de Biophysique des Plantes, UMR 6191 CNRS-CEA-Université de la Méditerranée

Hypothesis

Can the expression of a yeast FKBP protein restore rapamycin susceptibility in plants?

Conclusion

The study shows that expressing the yeast FKBP12 protein in Arabidopsis makes the plants sensitive to rapamycin, indicating a conserved mechanism in the TOR pathway.

Supporting Evidence

  • Transgenic plants expressing ScFKBP12 showed reduced root growth in the presence of rapamycin.
  • The study demonstrated that AtTOR can bind ScFKBP12 in the presence of rapamycin.
  • None of the Arabidopsis FKBP proteins could form a complex with TOR and rapamycin.

Takeaway

Scientists found that adding a yeast protein to plants can make them react to a drug that usually doesn't affect them, helping us understand how plants grow.

Methodology

Transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing ScFKBP12 were created and tested for growth response to rapamycin.

Limitations

The study does not address the long-term effects of rapamycin on plant health or development.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2229-7-26

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