# Genetic Biochemical Studies of Plant Steroid Signaling

> **NIH NIH R01** · CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON, D.C. · 2022 · $63,908

## Abstract

The long-term goal of this project is to understand the molecular networks through which
hormones, environmental factors, and nutrients together control plant growth and development.
Plants have evolved robust cellular signaling systems to regulate growth and metabolism
according to internal status and environmental conditions. Dissecting these plant regulatory
systems is important not only for food security and environmental sustainability, but also for
understanding cellular regulation in general, as many mechanisms are highly conserved in animals
and plants. This research program focuses on the cellular signaling and regulatory network
impinged upon by the steroid hormone brassinosteroid (BR), a major growth-promoting hormone
that impact a wide range of developmental and physiological processes. Using a combination of
genetic, genomic, biochemical, and proteomic approaches in the Arabidopsis model system, we
have elucidated molecular mechanisms by which BR binding to receptor kinase BRI1 leads to
activation of transcription factor BZR1 through the evolutionarily conserved BSU1 family of
phosphatases and GSK3-like kinases. Furthermore, we have revealed at molecular level how the
BR signaling pathway is integrated with many other signaling pathways into regulatory networks
that control gene transcription program driving cell elongation and various specific developmental
programs. Our ongoing research has uncovered many posttranslational mechanisms by which BR
signaling directly modulates cellular reorganization and metabolic programs through direct protein-
protein interactions and posttranslational modifications. We proposed to focus on these
mechanisms that link signaling pathways with major cellular activities such as membrane
trafficking, cell division, and carbon metabolism. In addition, we will investigate how BR signaling
cross talks with other signaling pathways to balance metabolism with growth demand and to
program cellular differentiation in plant development. The research outlined in this proposal will
continue to significantly advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cellular signal
integration and information processing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10481527
- **Project number:** 3R01GM066258-19S1
- **Recipient organization:** CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
- **Principal Investigator:** ZHIYONG WANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $63,908
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2002-08-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10481527

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10481527, Genetic Biochemical Studies of Plant Steroid Signaling (3R01GM066258-19S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10481527. Licensed CC0.

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