Group of auxin transport
Head: Jan Petrášek
We focus on the molecular mechanism of polar auxin transport and on the ways of its regulation.
Polar auxin transport (PAT) is the process, in which plant hormone auxin is transported in cell-to-cell manner. The word “polar” refers to the fact that this type of transport is directional, either within the region of particular tissue or among tissues. Directionality of PAT is maintained by the interplay of diffusion and carrier-mediated transport of auxin across plasma membrane. The reason why PAT plays very important role in plant development is that it helps to establish auxin concentration gradients that subsequently regulate gene expression and also many other post-translational processes. Our recent research is focused on the understanding of how plasma membrane-located and endomembrane auxin transporters contribute to the overall auxin homeostasis within the cells. Read more…
Group of metabolism and physiological function of cytokinins
Head: Václav Motyka
We are engaged in the research of cytokinins, i.e. plant hormones that regulate cell division and differentiation and thus efficiently control plant growth and development.
Cytokinins are naturally occurring phytohormones that act in concert with auxins to regulate cell division and differentiation and thus efficiently control plant growth and development. Transient enhancement of auxin in relation to cytokinin levels induces root formation while the opposite shift results in shoot formation. Re-establishment of the two hormone quantitative ratios (hormonal homeostasis) is essential for further development of induced events.
Endogenous levels of bioactive cytokinins and their mode of action in plants are regulated at different levels and by various mechanisms concerning biosynthesis, metabolic conversions, inactivation and degradation as well as signalling pathways and transport. Read more…
Group of the role of phytohormones in the interaction with environment
Head: Radka Vaňková
We focus on the elucidation of plant defence mechanisms, with the aim to contribute to the development of effective strategies to enhance stress tolerance of plants.
Plants have evolved complex systems of defence against, and adaption to, the variable and often potentially damaging environmental conditions to which they are exposed during their growth and development. Due to their sessile character, plants need to respond very dynamically to various abiotic (drought, extreme temperatures, high light intensity) as well as biotic stresses (pest and pathogen attacks).
Plant development as well as their interactions with the environment are regulated by plant hormones. Hormones mediate both fast responses (e.g. stomata closure during water deficit) and long-term adaptations, associated with modulation of growth and development. The actual plant response depends on the stress severity and duration. Apart of the stress hormones, e.g. abscisic acid, an important role is played also by cytokinins and auxins. The aim of our work has been characterization of the role of individual plant hormones as well as their cross-talk in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses. Read more…
Group of mathematical modelling
Head: Klára Hoyerová
Our laboratory uses mathematical modelling approach to unravel regulatory mechanisms of polar auxin flow in plants.
Nowadays, mathematical modelling is used as a tool for studying auxin transport more and more often. Present models are sometimes excessively simplified and/or do not reflect the structure of the real system properly. We have focused on construction of a detailed model of auxin transport mechanisms in plant cells using experimental data to analyse particular transport mechanism separately (an analytical-synthetic approach). These data include measurements of accumulation kinetics of radiolabeled auxins in cell suspensions and HPLC analysis of radiolabeled auxin metabolism, which has both provided valuable information about auxin transport properties at cellular level. Read more…
Analytical unit
Head: Petr Dobrev
The analytical unit of our laboratory works on improving of existing and developing of new analytical procedures for purification, quantitation and metabolic profiling of plant hormones and some other bioactive substances of plant origin. Read more…