# Investigating the role of retrograde signaling on intercellular trafficking

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE · 2020 · $37,080

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Many of the details of organelle-to-nucleus retrograde signaling pathways have been elucidated in
yeast, mammalian and plant model systems. Understanding mechanisms of chloroplast-to-nucleus
signaling will help elucidate the functions of retrograde signaling in all organisms including Bacteria
and Apicomplexan. Our previous work with mutants lacking the chloroplast RNA helicase ISE2
indicates that chloroplasts are important regulators of plant intercellular communication and trafficking
mediated by pores in the plant cell walls called plasmodesmata (PD). In the chloroplast, the methyl-D-
erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway that produces isoprenoids is also the source of methylerythritol
cyclodiphosphate (MEcPP), an important chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling metabolite. MEcPP
signaling activates the biosynthetic pathway for a group of sulfur-containing plant secondary
metabolites, glucosinolates. Our recent data suggests that glucosinolates or glucosinolate-derived
molecules can regulate intercellular trafficking via PD. In this proposal we seek to examine the link
between chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling via MEcPP and PD regulation. The specific aims of this
proposal will 1) determine if glucosinolates or glucosinolate breakdown products modulate
intercellular trafficking via PD, and 2) reveal if the chloroplast RNA helicase ISE2 uses the MEP
chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling pathway to control intercellular trafficking via PD. The research
proposed here will significantly advance our understanding of chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling, how
intercellular trafficking via PD is regulated and how the two are connected. The research will also
facilitate the PI’s training to become an independent scientist by providing broad experiences in a
variety of genetic, imaging and biochemical approaches. The skills gained should be transferrable to
diverse areas of biomedical and biological sciences as a postdoc and then independent scientist. The
research training will be accompanied by professional development activities to ensure success in the
PI’s future career as a faculty member.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9984151
- **Project number:** 5F31GM131671-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Cisneros Fernandez
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $37,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2021-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9984151

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9984151, Investigating the role of retrograde signaling on intercellular trafficking (5F31GM131671-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9984151. Licensed CC0.

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