莱茵衣藻e6突变体基因及其在光能转化中的作用

Photosynthesis is of significance to all aerobic organisms on Earth. The light-driven reactions of oxygenic photosynthesis are mediated by multi-subunits pigment-protein supercomplexes, i.e. PSI, PSII and Cytb6f, located in the thylakoids of chloroplast in algae and higher plants. Although the structural and compositional features of these complexes have been analyzed in great deal, little is known about their biogenesis and regulation mechanisms, particularly that of PSI. In this research project, a mutant strain (e6) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which exhibits impaired photosynthetic PSI phenotype, will be used throughout the investigations. Firstly, the mutated gene will be isolated by molecular cloning. Secondly, the functional significance will be examined using systems biological means. The experimental data to be obtained will bring about novel insights regarding PSI biogenesis and regulation in Chlamydomonas.

光能高效传递转化的机理问题，是光合作用基础研究需要解决的核心科学问题。虽然过去的研究使人们对光能吸收传递转化的主要过程和光合复合体的主要组成有所了解，但其中精细的分子调控机制尚不清楚。因此，本项目围绕这一重要科学问题，以光合作用研究的模式藻种-莱茵衣藻为材料，从已经筛选获得的光合突变体e6入手，进行深入研究。首先，采用本实验室已优化的莱茵衣藻基因克隆方法，获得目的基因全长序列。其次，运用生物信息学手段进行基因序列分析和功能预测。在此基础上，采用系统生物学及光合功能分析研究手段和技术，深入研究目的基因的作用方式，揭示基因编码蛋白在光能转化中的作用机理。研究成果不仅有助于加深对光能转化调控机理的认识，对发掘高光效新基因、培育高光效藻种也有重要意义。