Characterization of genes involved in the regulation of programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana
PhD ceremony: Mr. M.K. Qureshi, 12.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation: Characterization of genes involved in the regulation of programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana
Promotor(s): prof. J. Hille
Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
The aim of the research of Karam Qureshi was a characterization of genes involved in the regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. PCD is an integral part in the life cycle of multicellular organisms. It is the elimination of unwanted or severely damaged cells. In plants, it is involved in growth, development and in maintaining tissue homeostasis. PCD is also triggered by abiotic and biotic stresses such as ozone, ultraviolet light, drought, extreme temperatures, herbicides and by pathogen attack. One such fungal pathogen, Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici, secretes host-specific phytotoxins (AAL-toxins) prior to the onset of cell death. These abiotic and biotic stresses induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) during PCD. ROS is the collective term used for singlet oxygen, superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. The aim of this research is a characterization of genes involved in the regulation of PCD in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
PCD is a complex and genetically controlled process. Both AAL-toxins and ROS act as signaling molecules initiating the induction and execution of the PCD cascade in plants. These molecules trigger a massive reprogramming at the transcriptional level. The role of early regulated genes during ROS and AAL-toxins induced PCD was studied by Qureshi. Additionally, he isolated and characterized genes with a potential role in ROS and AAL-toxins induced PCD. He demonstrated that mutations in these genes confer tolerance to ROS- and AAL-toxins-sensitive mutants, indicating a relation between AAL-toxins and ROS during PCD.
The identification of regulators is important for understanding the complex PCD pathway. In addition, these regulators can be helpful in understanding plant defense mechanisms against pathogen attack and accumulation of ROS induced by external stimuli.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.01 a.m. |
More news
-
10 July 2025
Dutch Research Agenda funding for nanomedicine research
Prof Dr Anna Salvati, Dr Christoffer Åberg and Prof Dr Siewert-Jan Marrink have been granted a National Science Agenda (NWA) funding to further develop life-saving drugs based on nanotechnology with the NanoMedNL consortium.
-
07 July 2025
Master’s student Industrial Engineering and Management Ana Lazar wins GUF 100 Prize
At the UG Ceremony of Merits on July 4, Ana Lazar was awarded the GUF 100 Prize, making her the best student of the Faculty of Science and Engineering 2024-2025.
-
04 July 2025
University of Groningen awards various prizes during Ceremony of Merits
The UG awarded different prizes to excellent researchers and students during the Ceremony of Merits on 4 July 2025.