NSF Award
9157247
This is a Presidential Young Investigator Award. The long-term goal of Dr. Brodl's research is to understand the cell biology of higher plant responses to environmental stress. The model system for investigation is the heat shock response of the aleurone layer of barley grains. The cells of this tissue are normally dedicated to protein secretion; however, heat shock dramatically redirects their cellular activities. The synthesis of secretory proteins is abruptly arrested when the tissue is subjected to heat shock, yet the synthesis of nonsecretory proteins continues. This is accomplished by the selective destabilization of otherwise stable secretory protein mRNAs. Heat shock also causes the loss of endoplasmic reticulum lamellar structures upon which secretory protein mRNAs are translated; only small fragments of ER remain. This appears to provide the discriminatory mechanism for selectively stopping the synthesis of secretory proteins, as nonsecretory protein mRNAs are not translated by ER-bound ribosomes. Dr. Brodl will continue and extend his studies of the molecular and cellular basis for these heat shock-induced events. This research program should provide insights into the cell biology of ER, as well as reveal mechanisms for regulating protein expression during heat shock. These efforts will ultimately build a better understanding of how plants respond and adapt to stress.
