Plants support life on earth by its ability to synthesize sugars and
oxygen through one of the most outstanding processes; the photosynthesis.
In plants photosynthesis takes place in specialized organelles the chloroplast.
Sugars are the final products of photosynthesis and are used as the principal
source of energy and as structural components in all cells of the plant.
As a result of their sessile nature, plants are challenged by the constant
changes in their environment. Plant survival depends on the capacity to
properly sense and to adapt their development and metabolism in short
periods of time. Thus, an elaborate signaling network that permits rapid
responses and plasticity appears central in these organisms.
Our group has been interested in elucidating the mechanisms involved in
plant responses to carbon metabolism, in particular those related to the
chloroplast differentiation and sugar responses. Towards this aim we use
a combination of genetic, genomic, cellular and biochemical approaches.
Our work utilizes a plant model systems Arabidopsis thaliana and also
maize, a plant of agronomical importance.
The capacity of chloroplasts to perform its specialized functions depends
on their correct differentiation. In order than this particular developmental
program takes place the action of a variety of signals and molecules are
needed, mostly derived from the nucleus. Our work in this field has contributed
to identify a several genes indispensable for proper differentiation of
the chloroplast. We have exemplified how a mechanism such as the RNA editing
of chloroplast transcript is used as an exquisite regulation that modulates
chloroplast differentiation and functionality. We have also identified
a variety of genes that participate in a novel and central biosynthetic
pathway involved in the biosynthesis of the isoprenoids produced in the
chloroplast. The work in this field has contributed to a better understanding
of the pathway and the regulatory mechanisms that modulates it. These
compounds have central functions for the chloroplast functionality (pigments)
and also as central signals for additional processes in the plant (hormones).
In addition many of these compounds have additional medical and biotechnological
value. Thus, the manipulation of this pathway offer new opportunities
for agricultural and medical needs.
The sugars generated by the photosythesis and carbon metabolism function
as a central signal that modulate a variety of central development and
differentiation processes in plants. Understanding of the mechanisms involved
in the sugar signaling and perception constitutes one of the main interests
of our group. Through genetics and molecular approaches we have identified
some factors required for proper sugar sensing in Arabidopsis. Using cellular,
biochemical and genomic strategies we have further advance in the mechanism
of action of some of them. Our work has contributed to demonstrate the
complex interaction that exists between sugar signaling and hormone signaling.
