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How does the TT2 transcription factor link primary and secondary metabolism to control grain colour and nutrient content?
Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Juliet Coates
University of Registration: University of Birmingham
BBSRC Research Themes: Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Plant and Crop Science)
Project Outline
The transcription factor TT2, an R2R3 MYB protein, is one of a number of key regulators of proanthocyanidin biosynthesis, a flavonoid pathway responsible for the brown pigmentation in seeds and fruits of various plant species, including Arabidopsis, wheat, oilseed rape, grape, and tef. While TT2’s role in secondary metabolism is well established, emerging evidence suggests that disruption of TT2 homologs not only reduces flavonoid accumulation but also alters fatty acid content and composition, indicating a potential regulatory link between primary and secondary metabolic pathways.
However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this dual regulation remain unclear. Does TT2 directly control genes involved in primary metabolism, or are these effects indirect consequences of altered secondary metabolite flux? To answer this questions, the project aims to
1. Identify genome-wide TT2 binding sites in Arabidopsis and wheat using DAP-seq to uncover direct regulatory targets.
2. Characterise TT2-dependent transcriptional changes by comparing wild-type and tt2 null mutants through RNA-seq.
3. Validate candidate target genes using EMSA to confirm TT2-DNA interactions.
4. Assess metabolic consequences of TT2 regulation by performing metabolite profiling in mutants of candidate genes to quantify changes in both flavonoid and fatty acid pathways.
Understanding how TT2 integrates primary and secondary metabolism will provide new insights into the genetic control of grain colour and nutrient content. This knowledge could inform breeding strategies for crops with improved nutritional profiles and desirable aesthetic traits.
This project is ideal for students interested in understanding transcriptional regulation and metabolic networks in plants. The student will gain valuable skills in plant molecular biology, bioinformatics and metabolomics.
