PS 54-88
Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae regulates the salt stress resistance pathway
The receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1) is a scaffolding protein found conserved in all species. Scaffolding proteins are involved in many protein-protein interactions and are important components for many physiological mechanisms and cellular responses within the cell. Recent research suggests that RACK1 mediates diverse abiotic stress responses in plant cells. Genetic knockout of the gene in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana results in various environmental stress responses including drought and heat stress resistance. This study evaluates the effect of using a chemical method to knock out the gene in yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Results/Conclusions
We carried out a small compound library screening using the crystal structure of RACK1A protein to identify several ligands that can potentially inactivate the protein function. We evaluated the efficacy of the ligands under diverse stress conditions. One of the ligands-SD29, has been found to provide yeast cells protection from high concentration of salts. Based on the results, the same ligand is found to provide plants protection from the salt stresses. The molecular mechanism of such resistance was evaluated through western assay. We found that a key tyrosine residue phosphorylation is implicated in the resistance responses. The patented ligands will be useful in offering salt/drought stress resistance to crop plants.