Research Projects

To thrive in an ever-changing environment, plants must precisely regulate the balance between protein biosynthesis and the protein folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The endoplasmic reticulum is a highly dynamic organelle, its quality control system supervises the processing and folding of secretory proteins as well as removes misfolded proteins using the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) system. Upon biotic and abiotic stress, when unfolded proteins surpass the ER quality control system's capacity, the unfolded/misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, leading to ER stress. To cope with these proteotoxic effects, plants rely on the unfolded protein response (UPR). Light is a major environmental factor in plant growth and development. Various light spectra, especially red (RL) and blue light (BL), have great effects on optimizing plant growth. However, the role of different light spectra in UPR deserves further scrutiny. The basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor MYC2 is involved in regulating Arabidopsis seedling development during blue light (BL) perception. Emerging evidence suggests that light plays a role in regulating the ER response but the role of blue light (BL) in ER response is still elusive. In this proposal, we aim to investigate the role of blue light in regulating the ER stress response. Using a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology, we will uncover the molecular mechanisms behind blue light-mediated ER stress regulation.