Translation regulation in plants

Protein synthesis, also known as translation, is a fundamental process for life and an integral component of the Central Dogma of Molecular biology. It is also the most energetically demanding biosynthetic process in the cell. Consequently, the precision and synchronization of translation with both internal and external cues are imperative for cellular function. However, despite its significance, our understanding of how specific mRNA molecules are selectively translated and regulated remains limited. Our research focuses on unraveling how plants regulate translation to thrive and adapt to their environment. To address this, we are working with Arabidopsis, tomato, and Nicotiana, and employing molecular biology tools, to identify key players, including a spectrum of translation factors, ribosomal proteins, RNA-and ribosome-binding proteins, and components of signaling cascades, involved in gene-specific translation regulation.