Characterization of early responses to sulfur deficiency treatment in poplar (Populus temula x Populus alba) [Elektronische Ressource] / by Anne Honsel

Characterization of early responses tosulfur deficiency treatment in poplar(Populus tremula x Populus alba)Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements ofthe degree Doctor rer. nat. of theFaculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences,Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg im Breisgau, GermanybyAnne HonselFreiburg im Breisgau, Germany2010Dean of the faculty: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. G. BeckerSupervisors: Prof. Dr. H. RennenbergProf. Dr. C. HerschbachSecond Reviewer: Prof. Dr. S. FinkDate of thesis´defence: 1st December 2010Contents1 Introduction 11.1 Importance of sulfur for plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 Sulfate reduction and assimilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.3 Sulfate uptake and distribution within the plant: the sulfate transporter family . . . . . . . 31.4 Regulation of sulfur metabolism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.4.1 Regulation of sulfur metabolism upon sulfur deficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81.4.2 Post-transcriptional regulation: role of microRNAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.4.3 The role of plant hormones in regulation of sulfur metabolism . . . . . . . . . . . 121.5 Poplar as model system - special features of trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141.6 Aims and research questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Materials and Methods 172.