Characterization of TGD4 and its role in lipid trafficking

This experiment investigates the role of TGD4 in lipid trafficking on a molecular and functional level.
CRISPR/Cas9-generated plants lacking the phosphatidic acid binding domain are compared to wild type Arabidopsis plants under optimal growth conditions. Lipid profile of these plants is assessed.
Interaction partners of the TGD4 protein are identified using proximity labeling. TurboID is targeted to TGD4 membrane contact site and biotinylates proximal proteins. Presence and abundance of biotinylated proteins are compared to a control sample to identify TGD4-associated proteins.
The goal is to functionally and molecularly understand the TGD4-associated mechanism of lipid trafficking at ER-chloroplast membrane contact sites.