A. Gururaj Rao, PhD, Iowa State University

Research interests in the Rao laboratory has an emphasis on the biochemical characterization of proteins to establish structure-activity relationships, protein engineering for altering protein function, protein folding, protein stability and protein-protein interactions. Some projects include signal transduction in plants. One member of the ser/thr receptor-like kinase (RLK) family in plants is crinkly4 (CR4). The crinkly4 gene, encodes a tumor necrosis factor like (TNFR-like) receptor kinase CR4. The homolog in Arabidopsis is designated as ACR4. The objectives in my research program are to apply biochemical and biophysical techniques to understand the structure-function properties of ACR4 and to delineate the downstream protein-protein interactions mediated by the kinase domain. Elucidation of the signal transduction pathways in seed development is expected to provide key insights into novel strategies to produce grain for food, feed and renewable fuels. Also, tuberization in potato is influenced by length of daylight or photoperiod mediated via the light-receiving organ, the leaf, to an underground organ, the stolon. The long-term goal of our collaborative program is to identify RNA-binding proteins that mediate the transport, regulate stability and/or control translation of StBEL5 RNA as it functions in this signaling pathway.