Research Projects

Plants, being sessile organisms, are constantly exposed to various environments, including nutrient deficiencies, which can negatively impact their growth and development. Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants, but its deficiency in calcareous soils leads to Fe deficiency (-Fe). To cope with Fe deficiency, plants have developed stress-responsive signaling pathways that regulate the expression of several bHLH transcription factors (TFs). Recent studies have found that many signaling peptides play critical roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Several RALF (Rapid Alkalinization Like Factor) peptides are involved in growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress signaling. This proposed study aims to investigate the role of -Fe responsive peptide RALF27 in regulating plant growth and development under -Fe conditions. A CRISPR mutant of RALF27 has been generated, confirming its importance for root growth under -Fe in Arabidopsis thaliana. In-depth mol3cular and physiological experiments will be conducted to unravel its role in the Fe signaling pathway. Transcriptomics and Y2H experiments will be performed to identify target genes and interacting partners of RALF27, as well as potential receptor proteins. Iron deficiency is a serious health concern worldwide, and plants are the ultimate source of dietary iron. Understanding iron acquisition and utilization by plants is crucial, and new regulators like RALF27 involved in Fe deficiency signaling and iron uptake pathways can help address this issue. The fundamental knowledge produced in this project can be applied to important crop plants like tomato, wheat, and rice.