Autophagy, or macroautophagy, is a conserved eukaryotic mechanism for degrading and recycling cytoplasmic components in lytic organelles (vacuoles in plants and lysosomes in mammals). It targets various materials, from proteins to entire organelles, and begins with phagophores that develop into autophagosomes, which deliver cargo to the vacuole for degradation. First discovered in yeast, autophagy has been linked to nutrient starvation, stress responses, and diverse roles in animals, including development and immunity.
In plants, autophagy is crucial for nutrient remobilization and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our group investigates how plants have adapted this mechanism to meet their unique challenges. Using molecular, metabolic, and physiological approaches, we aim to unravel the role of autophagy in nutrient recycling, stress resilience, and its broader impact on plant growth and development.
How do autophagy and sugar metabolism intertwine?
Autophagy knockout plants (atg mutants) show unexpected changes in metabolism, including sugar accumulation, despite their hypersensitivity to carbon starvation. We aim to uncover how autophagy influences sugar metabolism and how sugars, as both energy sources and signals, regulate autophagy. Understanding this complex interplay could lead to breakthroughs, like developing autophagy inducers for agriculture.
What role does autophagy play in seed development and germination?
Autophagy impacts nutrient transport and the carbon/nitrogen balance in seeds, with atg mutants showing altered seed development and storage protein processing. However, it’s unclear if these effects arise from autophagy in the mother plant or the seed itself. By selectively downregulating autophagy in each, we aim to pinpoint its role in seed development and germination while shedding light on its influence in source-sink interactions.
How does autophagy influence flower senescence?
Autophagy plays a crucial role in senescence and aging, and we are investigating its specific role in petal senescence. Understanding this process could have practical applications, such as developing strategies to extend flower vase life and improve post-harvest quality.