Regulatory proteins acting at the crossroads of light and jasmonate signaling: characterization of their molecular function and their impact on crop quality

Regulatorische proteïnen die opereren op het kruispunt van licht- en jasmonaatsignalisatie: karakterisering van hun moleculaire functie en impact op gewaskwaliteitPlant fitness is highly dependent on the ability to cope with multiple (a)biotic environmental cues, such as light and interacting organisms. Complex signaling networks driven by perception of these cues and involving endogenously produced phytohormones, program the appropriate cellular and organismal response and steer plant development and metabolism to promote fitness and survival. Often antagonistic inputs are provided, obliging plants to decide between growth and defense. Signaling by respectively light and the stress phytohormone jasmonate (JA), represents a crucial point of crosstalk between two such conflicting programs. Hence, increased in depth fundamental knowledge of the identity, role and functioning of common players in light and JA signaling is highly desired, and ultimately may allow developing uncoupling strategies to improve plant yield and quality. In this project, we will employ cutting-edge protein-protein interactomics technologies to advance our understanding of crosstalk between light and JA signaling. We will specifically investigate transcription factor complexes that involve a limitedly investigated family of transcription factors, the BBX proteins, using tomato as a model. Unravelling the composition, dynamics, functioning and role of the BBX transcription factor complexes will allow revealing new mechanistic paradigms in JA-light crosstalk, and thereby advance our views on how traits such as crop yield and nutritional quality are determined