Light-dependent signaling by heterotrimeric G-proteins in Hypocrea jecorina (Trichoderma reesei)

01.11.2010 - 31.10.2013
Forschungsförderungsprojekt
Transmission of environmental signals within a cell is one of the most important processes an organism applies to survive and successfully compete in its ecological niche. Optimization of these processes leads to faster processing of information with less consumption of cellular resources. In the past few years, we have found that the signaling pathways as light response and heterotrimeric G-protein signaling orchestrate regulation of cellulase gene expression in Hypocrea jecorina (anamorph Trichoderma reesei). Intriguingly, we also found that these pathways are interacting and that light is an important environmental cue for cellulase gene expression. Therefore the question arises how the light signal enters the signaling cascade constituted by the heterotrimeric G-proteins and how it influences their effect. In the course of this project we will tackle this issue by elucidation of the interactions between the components of the signaling cascades of light response and heterotrimeric G-proteins. These interactions as well as the investigation of the influence of the respective components on each other and on our model output pathway of cellulase gene expression will enable us to follow up the effect of the light signal and its transmission trough the heterotrimeric G-Proteins to the cellulase promotors. . Fungi are of high importance for our society, for example concerning the increasing number of immunocompromised patients, who are threatened by pathogenic fungi or as producers of peptaiboles, which are discussed as an alternative to classical antibiotics. Moreover, fungi, especially several Trichoderma spp. play an important role in biocontrol of plant pathogens and can thus serve as biological fungicide. In all these processes, signal transduction proteins are key regulators of their efficiency. Hence a more detailed understanding of signaling in fungi will provide insights into mechanisms of signal transduction not only relevant to cellulase gene expression and biofuel production, but also to elucidate further mechanisms of importance for health and economy.

Personen

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Institut

Grant funds

  • FWF - Österr. Wissenschaftsfonds (National) Austrian Science Fund (FWF)

Forschungsschwerpunkte

  • Climate Neutral, Renewable and Conventional Energy Supply Systems: 100%

Schlagwörter

DeutschEnglisch
Trichoderma reeseiTrichoderma reesei
Hypocrea jecorinaHypocrea jecorina
cellulasecellulase
Signalübertragungsignal transduction
Heterotrimere G-proteineheterotrimeric G-proteins

Publikationen