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SUMMARY:The Rice Npc Transporter Mediates Recognition Of Novel Essential A
 m Symbiotic Signal - Marina Nadal (Paszkowski Group)
DTSTART:20140124T130000Z
DTEND:20140124T132500Z
UID:TALK49499@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Yoan Coudert
DESCRIPTION:During Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis\, the roots of pla
 nts and Glomeromycotan fungi engage in a tightly regulated liaison for the
 ir mutual benefit. Forward genetic screens in legume species provided the 
 first insight into the intricate genetic network that controls AM developm
 ent. However\, the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin specific rec
 ognition of AM fungi remain elusive. The maize nope (no perception) mutant
  and its rice counterpart\, npc (no perception candidate) are unable to pr
 operly establish AM. The npc mutant phenotype is characterized by the inab
 ility of the AM fungus to properly penetrate the root epidermis consistent
  with NPC playing a role in early symbiotic signaling. NPC encodes a membr
 ane intrinsic protein that localizes to the plasma membrane. The protein b
 elongs to the major facilitator superfamily with potential transporter act
 ivity and is expressed in mycorrhizal roots along the fungal infection pat
 h. The protein is conserved across the fungal and the plant kingdom with N
 PC occurring as a single gene in most monocots while multiple copies exist
  among dicots and early diverging plants.\n\nA previously characterized NP
 C ortholog knock-out mutant strain of the fungal human pathogen Candida al
 bicans was used to explore the role of the rice NPC gene. We made the extr
 aordinary discovery that the fungal and the plant proteins were functional
 ly equivalent.  This important discovery provides solid ground to identify
  a potential NPC transport substrate\, a novel AM essential symbiotic sign
 aling molecule.
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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