Investigate the role of the bZIP63 transcription factor in energy homeostasis in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and its involvement in the short photoperiod sensing mechanism

• Grant number: 25/03216-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Michel Georges Albert Vincentz
• Grantee: Rafaela Rossi Rosolen
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética (CBMEG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/25710-4 - The role of sugar-responsive bZIP transcription factors in the regulation of the circadian oscillator of Arabidopsis, AP.TEM

Abstract

The efficient management of energy resources is crucial for plants to integrate their growth with the constant changes in the environment. Sugars derived from CO2 fixation through photosynthesis represent the primary source of energy. These sugars are partitioned between sucrose and starch (a glucose polymer), consumed during the nighttime to sustain growth. In Arabidopsis thaliana, starch's programmed degradation involves the circadian clock's action and the bZIP-type transcriptional regulator, AtbZIP63 (bZIP63). bZIP63 functions with heterodimerization partners bZIP1 and bZIP53. The significance of heterodimers in starch metabolism control remains unknown. The main objective of the project is to investigate the involvement of bZIP1, bZIP53, and bZIP63 transcriptional regulation factors in diel (day/night) control of energy resources. The study is expected to provide novel insights into the interface between the circadian clock and sugar signaling in maintaining energy homeostasis, with a focus on starch degradation control. Understanding the mechanisms that govern the balanced use of available energy holds important potential for improving biomass production in cultivated plants.