GIUV2021-517
Copper and iron are essential micronutrients for all eukaryotic organisms because they are involved as redox cofactors in a wide range of metabolic processes, such as energy generation in organelles and lipid biosynthesis. Physiological, biochemical and genetic studies have revealed the large number of connections between copper and iron homeostasis, which must necessarily be studied simultaneously. In our group, we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and the Arabidopsis thaliana plant model in combination to explore conserved response mechanisms to non-optimal levels of copper and iron, with the aim of developing biotechnological applications in agriculture and human health.
An important part of monitoring the response to metal deficiency occurs at post-transcriptional level, as corroborated by studies with mammalian iron regulatory proteins. In this regard, we study the involvement of mRNA degradation and translation machineries in the response of yeast cells to alterations in iron and copper levels, with special interest in the conserved RNA binding protein Cth2, which controls cellular iron metabolism. In addition, we study the role of Cth2 homologues in Arabidopsis in the...Copper and iron are essential micronutrients for all eukaryotic organisms because they are involved as redox cofactors in a wide range of metabolic processes, such as energy generation in organelles and lipid biosynthesis. Physiological, biochemical and genetic studies have revealed the large number of connections between copper and iron homeostasis, which must necessarily be studied simultaneously. In our group, we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and the Arabidopsis thaliana plant model in combination to explore conserved response mechanisms to non-optimal levels of copper and iron, with the aim of developing biotechnological applications in agriculture and human health.
An important part of monitoring the response to metal deficiency occurs at post-transcriptional level, as corroborated by studies with mammalian iron regulatory proteins. In this regard, we study the involvement of mRNA degradation and translation machineries in the response of yeast cells to alterations in iron and copper levels, with special interest in the conserved RNA binding protein Cth2, which controls cellular iron metabolism. In addition, we study the role of Cth2 homologues in Arabidopsis in the response to metal deficiencies such as copper, iron and zinc, as well as the contribution of metal-regulated microRNAs to copper and iron homeostasis. Thetemperature increase caused by climate change and the rise of organic farming are contributing to an increase in fungal pathogens in plants, which questions food safety and quality. We explore the role iron and copper play in two important pest control strategies. First, iron is essential for the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and ergosterol, which determine cell membrane fluidity. The ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is used as a target for treatments with antifungal compounds. We use S. cerevisiae to study the connections between iron and lipid metabolisms, with the aim of finding out how iron modulates fungal resistance to antifungal compounds. Secondly, the excessive and toxic accumulation of copper in soils and in the edible parts of plants is affecting agriculture in general and oenology in particular. Grape musts have high levels of copper that alter wine quality and safety. We will determine the tolerance and capacity of copper extraction of a significant number of species and strains of Saccharomyces of oenological interest, which can contribute to reducing the harmful effect that copper has on wines. Finally, iron deficiency anemia is the most widespread nutritional disorder in the world, with a major impact on women and children. Food fortification and iron supplementation are strategies used to prevent and treat iron deficiency in humans and animals. We will take advantage of the diversity of genomic sequences recently characterized in Saccharomyces species to obtain iron-enriched yeasts that can be used as iron supplements or for the production of fortified bakery products.
[Read more][Hide]
[Read more][Hide]
- Estudio de la regulacion postranscripcional de la homeostasis de cobre y hierro en levaduras y plantas superiores
- Metal homeostasis in higher plants.Copper and iron are essential micronutrients for virtually all living organisms but are toxic when in excess. Our aim is to decipher how higher plants transport, distribute and use these metals and how they regulate metal homeostasis.
- Yeast metal homeostasis.Our main research goal is to decipher how eukaryotic cells regulate gene expression to correctly transport, distribute and utilise iron in response to the frequently low availability of this essential micronutrient. We use the yeast Saccharomyces.
| Name | Nature of participation | Entity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| M TERESA MARTINEZ PASTOR | Director | Universitat de València | |
| Research team | |||
| ANA PEREA GARCIA | Member | Universitat de València | |
| SERGI PUIG TODOLI | Collaborator | Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos | tenured scientist |
- -
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Arabidopsis; cobre; hierro; homeostasis metálica; regulación de la expresión génica
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae; cobre; hierro; homeostasis metálica; regulación postranscripcional
