9723610 Sheen The proposed work extends the analysis of how sugars influence gene expression in plants and hence control plant development. Nutrients are central regulatory signals controlling physiology, metabolism, cell cycle, development, and gene expression in all organisms. In plants, it has been shown that sugars control a number of processes, with a most significant effect on the regulation of photosynthesis through changes in gene expression and signaling leading to gene expression. In the proposed work, sugar responses will be defined which are mediated through hexokinase as a sugar sensor. Included is an analysis of the mechanism through which hexokinase functions and how the signal is transmitted. In addition, cross-talk between the sugar signaling pathway and other signaling pathways will be studied. The work includes the use of Arabidopsis mutants which are insensitive to glucose as a major component. The information gained through this work will enhance our ability for manipulating plants genetically for biotechnological purposes.
