Elucidate structure-function relationship of the N terminal residues with a key residue in the putative GABA motif on the plant ALMT proteins

Project description

GABA is a key signalling molecule in plants. Recent discovery of a putative GABA binding site on ALMT proteins opens new avenues in plant biology to understand and improve stress tolerance. GABA negatively regulates anion efflux mediated by ALMT proteins. Mutation of phenylalanine residue (F213) to cysteine in the motif impairs this regulation. Evolutionary coupling predictions reveal residues in N terminus of wheat ALMT interact with F213 residue in 1ST GABA motif. However, we do not know how the mutation of these residues affect GABA sensitivity in WT protein. In this project, site directed mutants of the wheat ALMT protein will be expressed in Xenopus oocytes (frog eggs) to investigate the effect of mutations on anion flux and GABA regulation.

Assumed knowledge

Plant biology, Cell Biology

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