Functional analysis of two CBF transcription factors involved in low temperature response in almond

ITQB PhD Seminar

Title: Functional analysis of two CBF transcription factors involved in low temperature response in almond

Speaker: Pedro Barros

Laboratory: Plant Genetic Engineering

Abstract

Seasonal development in perennial plants is continuously influenced by the environment. For Rosaceae fruit trees flowering is the most critical developmental step, being directly related to fruit yield. After flower induction, floral buds undergo a period of winter dormancy which ends after the fulfilment of specific chilling requirements. This temperature-dependent control of dormancy release sometimes leads to unpredictable changes in blooming time and may cause severe damage to fruit production. Therefore, the study of temperature signalling pathways in this family is of particular importance. Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) is the earliest deciduous fruit tree to bloom in spring having low chilling requirements. This makes it an interesting species to study functional variations in the cold signalling pathway and how these differences regulate blooming time. In this study, the CBF/DREB1 family of transcription factors (TFs), which is involved in low temperature signalling, was targeted and two almond CBF genes (PrdCBFs) were identified. Gene promoter regions of these PrdCBFs were also isolated and in silico analyses revealed the presence of several cis-elements involved in regulation by endogenous and environmental factors. Gene expression analyses in almond plants showed that PrdCBFs are responsive to low temperature and modulated by light. Transactivation analysis is underway to demonstrate the cis-acting specificity of these TFs to promoter regions of known cold-responsive genes. Further functional studies, including gene expression data from field grown plants will provide novel insights about the role of the PrdCBFs during low temperature exposure and seasonal development.

Short-CV

2000-2005: Degree in Biology - Scientific branch, Universidade de Évora
2005: Undergraduate student at Plant Genetic Engineering Lab (ITQB) under the supervision of Dr. Madalena Martins and Prof. Margarida Oliveira
2006: Research fellowship at Plant Genetic Engineering Lab (ITQB). FCT project "Transcription factors regulating abiotic stress responses in rice (Oryza sativa L.): a transgenic approach to improve tolerance, and search for novel players", under the supervision of Dr. Nelson Saibo.
2007 to present: PhD fellowship supervised by Prof. Margarida Oliveira and Dr. Nelson Saibo (ITQB)