Ana Gonçalves Leite de Assunção

We are a research team (Zinc Tank Lab), within the PLANT BIOLOGY group, studying the molecular basis of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in plants.

In all organisms, zinc plays a role as a cofactor in many proteins essential for metabolism and development. To maintain its concentration within physiological limits, and avoid deficiency or toxicity, organisms rely on a tightly regulated network of homeostasis mechanisms. Fundamental knowledge on metal micronutrient homeostasis in plants can assist tackling challenges such as producing sufficient, nutritious and safe food on nutrient-poorer soils. 

In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the transcription factors bZIP19 and bZIP23 are the major regulators of the plant response to zinc deficiency and act as sensors of the cellular zinc status. They belong to the F group of plant bZIP proteins (F-bZIP), with evidence for their evolutionary conservation across land plants. Our team studies the plant F-bZIP transcription factors and their role in zinc homeostasis focusing on three pillars:

- Functional analysis of bZIP19 and bZIP23, to unravel their mode of action at the cell and organism levels. 

- Identification of F-bZIP homologs and translational approach to crop species (rice, tomato, legumes) aiming to improve zinc accumulation and use-efficiency traits.

- Molecular evolution of F-bZIP-regulated zinc deficiency response across land plants.