Plasmodesmata (PD) form cytoplasmic bridges between neighboring plant cells. Cell-cell signaling necessary for local and systemic control of plant responses to environmental stimuli or control of plant morphogenesis occurs through PD. Research in our laboratory tries to define the mechanisms used by plant viruses to move through plamsodesmata and to describe the relationship between the cellular secretory system and plasmodesmata. Research has shown that the endomembrane network plays a vital role for intercellular transport of macromolecules.
My program uses PVX to study macromolecular transport in plants and to describe the mechanism for movement of triple gene block (TGB) containing viruses. The TGB is a genetic module of three overlapping open reading frames which is conserved among seven virus genera. PVX requires four viral proteins to mediate its cell-to-cell movement: TGBp1, TGBp2, TGBp3, and coat protein (CP)
Current research projects in my laboratory include:
1) Describe how PVX proteins control virus plasmodesmata transport.
2) Describe the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in plasmodesmata function.
3) Explore how PVX regulates plant cell death responses
4) Explore the role of the secretory system in transporting infectious agents from the perinuclear region to the plasmodesmata for cell-to-cell transfer
5) Explore the role of viral proteins in viral vascular transport
6) Emergence of plant viruses from ancient viruses infecting lower eukaryotes.