The work described in this thesis focuses on the development of linear or cyclized peptide probes against protein N-methyltransferases to characterize their specific binding behavior, providing... Show moreThe work described in this thesis focuses on the development of linear or cyclized peptide probes against protein N-methyltransferases to characterize their specific binding behavior, providing further binding details for inhibitory activity study. The thesis not only describes the extended application to produce peptide-based transition states mimicking PRMT inhibitors but builds an LC-MS/MS method to evaluate CARM1 inhibition and activity. Show less
Chapter 1 presents a general introduction to the factors involved in crop domestication and the specific role of transcription factors in this process. Chapter 2 describes the functional analysis... Show moreChapter 1 presents a general introduction to the factors involved in crop domestication and the specific role of transcription factors in this process. Chapter 2 describes the functional analysis of a Dof-type transcription factor, named OsDof24, from rice.chapter 3 describes the role of OsDof25 in the regulation of OsC4PPDK. Interactions between OsDof25 and OsC4PPDK were confirmed in experiments involving EMSA, yeast one-hybrid analysis and transient expression in rice protoplasts. The regulatory role of OsDof25 in OsC4PPDK expression was confirmed using OsDof25 misexpression plants. The results suggested that OsDof25 is a trans-activator of the OsC4PPDK gene in rice. Chapter 4 describes the effects of OsDof24 and OsDof25 on the content of rice seeds storage proteins. First the interaction between both OsDof24 and OsDof25 with the GluB-1 promoter was investigated by a set of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results showed that both OsDof24 and OsDof25 can affect seed storage protein content probably by activating the transcription of the GluB-1 promoter. Finally, in Chapter 5, a general discussion of the results from Chapters 2, 3 and 4 is presented. Show less
