The general goal of my projects is to begin the characterization of the S-protein homolog family. The family is composed of cysteine-rich signaling peptides. The family was initially discovered in Papaver rhoeas. In Papaver, PrsS is involved in self-incompatibility / self-recognition. Perception of different alleles of PrsS by their respective allelic receptors, PrpS, confers pollen tube rejection and death. This is the only characterized SPH family member to date.
It is hypothesized that SPH1 in Turnera confers filament length dimorphism.
There is a crystal structure of the Arabidopsis AtSPH15.
Other than the formerly mentioned, nothing is known of the SPH family. I am interested in expanding our understanding of the family.
My interest in the family comes from SPH1 from Turnera. In distylous members of Turnera, SPH1 is responsible for filament elongation in the S-morph. Due to a lack of characterization of the family, it is unclear how SPH1 evolved this function. By characterizing the family in Arabidopsis and Turnera, I hope to understand the role of SPH1 in filament elongation and how neofunctionalization has changed its progenitor's role.
It is hypothesized that SPH1 in Turnera confers filament length dimorphism.
There is a crystal structure of the Arabidopsis AtSPH15.
Other than the formerly mentioned, nothing is known of the SPH family. I am interested in expanding our understanding of the family.
My interest in the family comes from SPH1 from Turnera. In distylous members of Turnera, SPH1 is responsible for filament elongation in the S-morph. Due to a lack of characterization of the family, it is unclear how SPH1 evolved this function. By characterizing the family in Arabidopsis and Turnera, I hope to understand the role of SPH1 in filament elongation and how neofunctionalization has changed its progenitor's role.
