Member Institutions:

• Bowling Green State U.
• Cleveland State U.
• Kent State U.
• Medical College of Ohio
• Miami U.
• The Ohio State U.
• Ohio U.
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Toledo
• Wright State U.
• Youngstown State U.

DeshPal S. Verma Professor Department of Molecular Genetics The Ohio State University Room 240 Rightmire Hall 1060 Carmack Roadd Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002 Phone (614) 292-8323 email verma.1@osu.edu	Back to Scientists

Research Interests

My students and I are studying the molecular genetics of Rhizobium-legume symbiosis with emphasis on the host plant. We have identified more than 20 host genes encoding nodulespecific proteins (nodulins) and have demonstrated that some of the nodulins are targeted to the membrane enclosing the bacteria during endosymbiosis. We demonstrated that a novel PI 3-kinase may play a pivotal role in development of the peribacteroid membrane during nodule organogenesis.

We have recently isolated a soybean gene encoding a homolog of Dynamin, a protein involved in endocytosis, and localized this protein on cell plate. The eventual goal is to develop an in vitro membrane fusion system for dissecting the mechanism involved in the flow of membrane vesicles from Golgi to the cell plate and peribacteroid membrane in root nodules. The latter is a unique subcellular compartment with properties in common with the plasma membrane and tonoplast.

The second focus of research is on osmosensing and osmoregulation. For this, our laboratory has isolated all genes involved in proline biosynthesis and by over expression of one of the regulatory genes, we have been able to produce transgenic plants capable of withstanding higher osmotic stress. We have demonstrated the involvement of sulfur metabolism in controlling osmotic stress.

The third project is aimed at understanding the signals involved in biogenesis of peroxisomes in root nodules, a subcellular compartment necessary for oxidation of purines and assimilation of reduced nitrogen via ureide production.

These projects utilize a variety of molecular approaches ranging from subcellular localization to sitedirected mutagenesis and provide an opportunity to participate in a multifacet research program.

Selected References

• Hong, Z., K. Lakkineni, Z. Zhang and D.P.S. Verma. 2000. Removal of feedback inhibition of D1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase results in increased proline accumulation and protection of plants from osmotic stress. Plant Physiol. In press.
• Zhang, Z., Z. Hong, and D. P. S. Verma. 2000. Phragmoplastin polymerizes in to spiral coiled structures via two self assembly domins. J. Biol. Chem. In press.
• Gu, X. and D. P. S. Verma. 1997. Dynamics of phragmoplastin in living cells during cell plate formation and uncoupling of cell elongation from the plane of cell division. Plant Cell 9:157-169.
• Zhang, C., S. Kim and D. P. S. Verma. 1997. Characterization of D1-pyrroline-5- carboxylate synthetase gene promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to water stress. Plant Science 129: 81-89.
• Zhang, X.-Q., D.P.S. Verma, S. Patil, R. Arrendondo-Peter, G.H. Miao, R. Kuismanen, R., R.V. Klucas, and R.Chollet. 1997. Cloning of a full-length sucrose synthase cDNA from soybean (Glycine max) root nodules. Plant Physiology 115: 1729.
• Zhang, C., S. Kim, D.P.S.Verma. 1997. Characterization of D1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate sybthesase gene promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to water stress. Plant Science 129: 81-89.

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