email: s.kepinski@leeds.ac.uk
The Kepinski lab is focused on understanding the regulation of plant development by the hormone auxin with projects ranging from the earliest events of auxin receptor complex formation to root hair development and the control of growth angle of plant organs. We are always interested to hear from bright and committed researchers who would like to join the lab.
The growth angle of branches and other lateral organs is a fascinating topic in developmental biology and one of tremendous agronomic importance. For the most part root and shoot branches grow at angles that are non-vertical, a crucial adaptation allowing plants to optimise the capture of resources above- and below-ground. Importantly, many lateral branches are maintained at specific angles with respect to gravity rather than to the main or parent axis per se. These growth angles, known as gravitropic setpoint angles or GSAs, are intriguing because their maintenance requires that lateral root and shoot branches are able to effect tropic growth both with and against the gravity vector. We are using using genetics, molecular genetics, cell biology, and computational modelling to understand the mechanisms underlying gravity-dependent and gravity-independent growth angle control.
A key question in plant biology is how the hormone auxin controls such a diversity of developmental events. Research in the Kepinski lab is focused on understanding how the specificity which can account for this control arises in the auxin signalling system. Although the current qualitative model of this complex system provides a conceptual framework for understanding how auxin can turn genes on and off, it is unclear how and where specific information is carried in the system and thus how auxin pulses of differing length and amplitude can be translated into quantitatively different genomic outputs both within and between various developmental contexts. To address these questions, we are obtaining quantitative and cell-type-specific genomic and biochemical data to parameterize comparative mathematical models of auxin response in juxtaposed developmental contexts to understand how auxin operates throughout development. Our principal model system is the root epidermis which is made up of hair cells that can produce root hairs and non-hair cells that typically do not. This tissue is of particular interest because these adjacent cell types have dramatically different capacities to transport and respond to auxin. Because of the desire to model, as far as possible, at the level of the single cell and with realistic binding preferences among protein components, we are heavily involved in single-cell-type sampling techniques and in vitro and in vivo quantification of protein interactions and abundance. We work closely with modellers at CPIB in Nottingham and to integrate the experimental and theoretical aspects of the work.
The formation of the TIR1/AFB-auxin-Aux/IAA auxin receptor complex is one of the most pivotal protein/ligand interaction events in plant biology. In promoting the association between TIR1/AFB receptor F-box proteins and Aux/IAA co-repressors, endogenous auxins regulate almost every aspect of plant development from the earliest events of embryogenesis to the formation of flowers and fruits. The function of this complex is to control gene expression by regulating levels of Aux/IAA transcriptional co-repressor proteins in response to auxin; the auxin-enhanced interaction between TIR1/AFB proteins and Aux/IAAs promotes the polyubiquitnation of the Aux/IAAs, marking them for destruction in the 26S proteasome. Given the central importance of auxin for plant growth it is no surprise that the TIR1/AFB-auxin-Aux/IAA receptor complex is the target for auxinic agrochemicals, particularly herbicides, which include 2,4-D and picloram. Our current research on this topic revolves around understanding the very earliest events of auxin perception using structural, biophysical, and thermodynamic analysis.
Gosden PhD Studentship:
Plant geometry - the biophysical and molecular basis of gravitropism and growth angle control |
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Stefan Kepinski if they would like to discuss projects.
Vertical-stage confocal microscopy for live imaging of growing plants (BBSRC, 2017-2019)
Gravitropic setpoint angle control in higher plants (BBSRC, 2016-2020)
GCRF-AFRICAP - Agricultural and Food-system Resilience: Increasing Capacity and Advising Policy (BBSRC-RCUK, 2017-2021)
Towards the formulation of a general theory of root gravitropism (Leverhulme Trust, 2018-2022)
A simple, genome-editable technology for inducing steeper, deeper root growth in crops (BBSRC, 2019-2021)
The molecular basis of antigravitropism (BBSRC DTP, 2017-2021)
Plant science for food security and nutrition (BBSRC India Partnering Award, 2018-2022)
Gravity and the shaping of plant form: understanding growth angle control in lateral branches (Gatsby Charitable Foundation, Sainsbury PhD Studentship, 2018-2022)
More crop per drop: re-engineering root system architecture for improved water uptake (Gosden Legacy Studentship, University of Leeds)
Water and nutrient use efficiency and nutritional quality in Sorghum and Finger Millet (LUANAR/University of Leeds Studentship (2019-2023)
Specificity in auxin perception (Syngenta, 2014-2024)