Plant Biotechnology Unit
at the IAM, BOKU

Research projects

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Regulation of the Ypr10 gene family and identification of the biological role of its gene product (PR-10 protein) in rosaceous species

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Duration: 2000 - 2001

Supported by: Austrian Science Foundation (FWF)

The 18 kD Mal d 1, the major apple allergen, is a member of the family of pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR-10) comprising numerous pollen and food related allergens. PR-10 proteins show high sequence similarity, pathogen- and stress-inducibility and in most plant species they are encoded by multiple genes, so called Ypr10 genes. However, at present the biological role of these proteins is still unclear. Despite the considerable knowledge about the genomic structure and expression patterns of Ypr10 genes, there is little information on gene regulation and the involvement of the gene product (PR-10 protein) in plant defense. Mal d 1, as many other PR-10s, is developmentally expressed and upregulated upon challenge by a broad range of pathogen- and stress factors. It is likely, that PR-10 proteins do not directly affect pathogens but rather interact with endogenous components to activate a stress response, also known to be a feature of normal development. The aim of this project is the identification of components i) interacting with Mal d 1, and ii) regulating Ypr10 gene expression. This would be a major step towards the elucidation of the biological function of PR-10 and moreover, would give insight into the mechanism of Ypr10 gene activation.

Involved Researchers at the IAM

- Margit Laimer da Câmara Machado
- Helene Pühringer

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Rev.1.0 by Siegfried Huss