# DORN1 defines a new family of receptor kinase purinoreceptors (P2K)

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · 2020 · $294,785

## Abstract

Abstract
Purinergic signaling appears to be an ancient, conserved trait; for example, P2X receptors trace back one
billion years in evolution. However, although virtually all organisms respond to extracellular ATP (eATP),
canonical P2X and P2Y receptors appear absent in insects, roundworm and higher plants. Recently, the first
plant, purinergic receptor, DORN1, was identified, which defines a new receptor kinase family of
purinoreceptors (P2K). This receptor mediates the primary signaling response to eATP, eliciting many
responses that are comparable to an animal inflammatory response. Similar to some mammalian, purinergic
receptors, DORN1 appears to monitor plasma membrane association with the extracellular matrix, as well as
recognition of eATP. Convergent evolution has resulted in different receptors for eATP in plants and animals
but the question remains whether other components of the purinergic signaling pathway may be conserved.
Preliminary results identify interesting parallels between the animal and plant eATP responses. In Aim 1, we
will seek to determine the mechanisms by which DORN1 mediates responses to eATP. For example, in both
animals and plants, eATP addition triggers the production of reactive oxygen species. Recent data indicates
that DORN1 directly phosphorylates NADPH oxidase (RBOHD), which is the enzyme producing ROS. Aim 1,
study 1 will focus on further defining the importance of DORN1-RBOHD interaction. Study 2 describes
experiments to define the role of the DORN1 RGD binding sites, which appear to mediate interaction between
the plasma membrane and extracellular matrix, analogous to the situation in mammals. DORN1 functions as
part of a membrane protein complex, whose components will be identified (Study 3). Animals have multiple
P2X and P2Y receptors and this is also the case in plants. Indeed, a second, putative eATP receptor, DORN2,
has been identified and Specific Aim 2, Study 4 will focus on characterizing the biochemical features and
functional role of this receptor. There is a significant overlap in the plant transcriptional response to eATP and
a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Hence, it seems likely that purinergic signaling plays a variety of
important roles in plants; again mirroring the diverse roles that eATP signaling plays in mammals. Experiments
are described to identify additional components of the plant purinergic response pathway by characterization of
mutants defective in their response to nucleotide treatment, as well as by identification of specific mutations
that result in suppression of the dorn1 mutant phenotype (Study 5). The ultimate goal will be a holistic and
integrated view of plant purinergic signaling, beginning with the novel P2K receptors, with definition of plant-
specific and, more importantly, plant and animal conserved components. This comparative approach should
broaden our knowledge of purinergic signaling in higher organisms, hopefully aiding the design of therapeutic
treat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975192
- **Project number:** 5R01GM121445-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Gary Stacey
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $294,785
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975192

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975192, DORN1 defines a new family of receptor kinase purinoreceptors (P2K) (5R01GM121445-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975192. Licensed CC0.

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