Promoters, cis regulatory elements and transcription factors involved in drought responses in sugarcane roots (Saccharum spp.)

• Grant number: 16/05501-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: August 05, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Menossi Teixeira
• Grantee: Max Seiji Tsunada
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Drought is one of the main limiting factors for agricultural productivity. Due to climatic changes, it is expected that the effects of drought will be more intense in areas currently used for agriculture. Thus, the understanding the regulatory mechanisms activated by plants in response to adverse environmental conditions will help to develop stress tolerant crops. Recently, genetic changes in the root system have been highlighted as an opportunity for plant breeding. Although roots play a fundamental role in maintaining plant functions, there is a lack of knowledge on the regulatory mechanisms that act in the roots in response to water deficit. Previously, our research group has identified drought responsive genes in sugarcane roots. As part of my master's project, the expression profile of drought-induced genes was confirmed and their promoters isolated. Continuing the project, the aim of this study is to validate the regulatory profile of the promoters and their biotechnological potential by using sugarcane transgenic plants. In parallel, the project proposes the identification of cis regulatory elements and transcription factors involved in the sugarcane responses to drought. The results will provide information for the generation of new gene cassettes able to active the expression only in the roots under water stress condition. Moreover, new insights will be provided on the regulatory network active in sugarcane root system exposed to water deficit. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

TSUNADA, Max Seiji. Drought-inducible promoters in sugarcane roots (Saccharum spp.). 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.