PLANT-RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL-STRESS - REGULATION AND FUNCTIONS OFTHE ARABIDOPSIS TCH GENES

Expression of the Arabidopsis TCH genes is markedly upregulated in res ponse to a variety of environmental stimuli including the seemingly in nocuous stimulus of touch. Understanding the mechanism(s) and factors that control TCH gene regulation will shed light on the signaling path ways that enable plants to respond to environmental conditions. The TC H proteins include calmodulin, calmodulin-related proteins and a xylog lucan endotransglycosylase. Expression analyses and localization of pr otein accumulation indicates that the potential sites of TCH protein f unction include expanding cells and tissues under mechanical strain. W e hypothesize that at least a subset of the TCH proteins may collabora te in cell wall biogenesis.