Member of a research project

Taiji  Kawakatsu (NARO, senior researcher)

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Haruki Nishio  (Shiga University, Assistant Professor)

Gene expression depends on the DNA sequence, which is the main body of the genome, and on epigenomic information such as chemical modifications of DNA and the histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped. We have previously revealed that histone modifications are essential in plants gaining tolerance in response to environmental conditions such as high temperatures and drought. Plants develop stress tolerance even after BVOC is released. However, the molecular basis of how the two interact remains unclear.

 Therefore, we will clarify the epigenome-mediated gene expression control mechanism behind the acquisition of stress tolerance in plants after BVOC release. First, we will comprehensively investigate expression-variable genes using transformed plants that emit BVOC, plants grown in culture vessels that can be treated with BVOC, and plants collected in the field linked to real-time BVOC measurement data. We will identify cis sequences and trans factors present on promoters of genes with variable expression, and we will conduct a comprehensive binding analysis of trans-factors along the time series of BVOC release and epigenome analysis. We will also examine changes in stress resistance by modifying cis sequences and trans factors using model plants. We will elucidate the molecular basis that links the release of BVOCs with the acquisition of stress tolerance. Furthermore, we will compare whether cis sequences, trans elements, and epigenomic changes occur by similar mechanisms in various plant species. Therefore, we aim to elucidate the uniqueness and conservation of the pathway.