Ph.D. Program in Cellular, Molecular and Industrial Biology (Project n. 2: Functional Biology of Cellular and Molecular Systems)
Discovering the functioning and physiological role of plant proteins
The activity of the group is focussed on plant proteins, investigated at the functional, structural and physiological level. Two major projects are currently in progress.
1. Molecular basis of the regulation of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in plants.
Organisms featuring oxygenic photosynthesis assimilate CO2 by means of the Calvin cycle. This cycle is controlled by light and the environment, thioredoxins (Trx) play a major role in this respect. The regulatory enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) catalyzes the reductive step of the cycle in chloroplasts. GAPDH is autonomously regulated by an autoinhibitory domain which makes the enzyme responsive to Trx and several modulators. A further protein known as CP12, also regulated by Trx, promotes the formation of a supramolecular complex including GAPDH and phosphoribulokinase. Both systems contribute to the regulation of the Calvin cycle. Many plant enzymes are believed to be regulated by Trx, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unexplored. Structure and function of the GAPDH and other Trx-dependent proteins are being actively investigated in our laboratory.
Research Group
Mirko Zaffagnini (Post-doc)
Lucia Marri (Post-doc)
Concetta Valerio (PhD student)
Nunzio Tango (PhD student)
Valeria Preger (Post-doc)
Sandra Scagliarini (Technician)
Francesca Sparla (Research associate)
Paolo Trost (Associate professor)
Paolo Pupillo (Full professor)
