题目：Molecular Basis of Phytochrome-mediated Light Signaling in Plants

主讲：王继纵 助理教授 （北京大学）

时间：1月8日（周三）10:00-11:00

会议地点：琳恩图书馆111报告厅

报告摘要：Among the photoreceptors in plants, phytochromes (phys) are primarily responsible for perceiving red and far-red light and have garnered great attention since their identification in the 1950s. Generally, these proteins exist in two states: a dark-adapted state designated as Pr, localized in the cytoplasm, and a light-activated state designated as Pfr, which translocates into the nucleus to regulate the activities of downstream partners, such as phy-interacting factor (PIF), thereby controlling the entire life cycle of plants. However, the molecular bases of phy-mediated signaling remain poorly understood. Recently, we reported the structure of the Pr form of far-red light receptor phytochrome A (phyA). By structural comparison and spectral analyses, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the higher photosensitivity of phyA compared to phyB. Subsequently, we solved the structure of the photo-activated red light receptor phyB in complex with its downstream signaling partner PIF6, providing the first structural view of an activated plant phytochrome. By integrating structural, biochemical, spectral, and functional data, our findings uncover a long-sought mechanism underlying phyB photo-activation and the formation of a phyB-PIF signaling complex, marking a significant advancement in phytochrome research.

个人简介：王继纵，北京大学现代农学院助理教授、研究员。2011年毕业于中国海洋大学海洋生命学院，获得理学学士学位；2016年毕业于清华大学生命科学学院，获得理学博士学位；2016年至2020年在清华大学生命科学学院从事博士后工作；2020年加入北京大学现代农学院、蛋白质与植物基因研究国家重点实验室。目前实验室主要研究植物光受体光敏色素介导信号通路的结构基础与分子机制。近年来以第一作者或通讯作者发表论文10篇，包含1篇Nature、2篇Science（同期）、1篇Cell和1篇Cell Research。其中以第一作者发表的植物抗病小体工作入选 “2019年中国生命科学十大进展”，并被“2023年未来科学大奖—生命科学奖”认可。曾主持国家自然科学基金青年基金和面上项目，作为骨干参与国家重点研发计划项目和青年科学家项目，2021年入选中科协青年人才托举工程。