Characterization of plasma membrane proton pump AHA1 mutants

Abstract

The gas exchange of plants is regulated by microscopic pores, stomata. Each stoma consists of two specialized guard cells and a pore that can be closed or open according to prevailing environmental conditions. For the stomatal opening, various ions and water need to accumulate in the guard cells. The entry of these osmolytes is driven by energy produced by the plasma membrane proton pump AHA1, which is considered as the main proton pump in stomata of Arabidopsis thaliana. The role of AHA1 in guard cells has been studied for a long time, although its regulation and functioning are not completely understood. The aim of this Master's thesis was to study newly-identified mutations in AHA1, which could clarify some of these aspects. Experiments with the AHA1 backcrossed mutant lines and generated transgenic plants corresponding to some of these mutations bring structural insight for the AHA1 regulation and highlight its importance for CO2-induced stomatal movements