COST-STSM-FA0605-140311-008112 Patricia Agudelo-Romero

Tue, 11/15/2011 - 10:58 — Rina Iannacone

STSM Grantee:  Dr.  Patricia Agudelo-Romero (University of Lisbon, Center for
Biodiversity, Functional and Integrative Genomics BioFIG),
p.agudeloromero@gmail.com
Host Institute: University of Barcelona (UB), Faculty of Pharmacy. Prof. Antonio
Tiburcio afernandez@ub.edu
The  previous  Short Term Mission (STSM) FA0605-131210-003763 entitled
‘The role of polyamines in grape ripening’ enabled the following conclusions: (1) The
endogenous polyamines levels were different  among  the three Portuguese grapevine
cultivars studied and (2)  there was a decrease  in polyamine levels during development
of grape berry and ripening. On the other hand, microarray data indicated a potential
activation of polyamine catabolism during ripening.  Therefore, the next  goal of this
work was focused on the study of the polyamine catabolism. In order to gather
knowledge and understand the role played by the two main enzymes involved in the
polyamine catabolism  namely, diamine oxidase  (DAO; EC 1.4.3.6) and polyamine
oxidase (PAO; EC 1.4.3.4) we have used two approaches: (i) enzymatic activity assays
and (ii) gene expression studies  using qPCR  in the same cultivars previously  studied
(Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional and Aragonês). These studies were carried out for four
stages of development (green, veraison, ripe and harvest stages). This work was
partially carried out at the University of Barcelona (Spain) through an STSM and hosted
by the group of Prof. Antonio Tiburcio.
During this STSM it was possible to conclude that:
(1)  The enzymatic activity of DAO and PAO had a strong increase in veraison up to
harvest stage.
(2)   Aragonês was the cultivar presenting the highest values of PAO activity and this
was confirmed by analysis of PAO gene expression. 
(3)  Trincadeira cultivar presented the highest values of DAO activity and  this was
confirmed by analysis of DAO gene expression. 
(4)  Aragonês cultivar had the  lowest activity of DAO  and  its  correspondent  gene
expression, in opposition to high values of PAO activity found for this cultivar.
 
I would like to thank the COST Action FA0605 for financial support of this
STSM that was carried out successfully and the anticipated intentions fulfilled.