NSF Org:	MCB Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
Recipient:	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE
Initial Amendment Date:	November 23, 1988
Latest Amendment Date:	December 10, 1990
Award Number:	8805618
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	Kamal Shukla MCB  Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences BIO  Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	January 1, 1989
End Date:	December 31, 1991 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$208,600.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$208,600.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1989 = $70,000.00 FY 1990 = $68,600.00 FY 1991 = $70,000.00
History of Investigator:	Anthony Huang (Principal Investigator) anthony.huang@ucr.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of California-Riverside 200 UNIVERSTY OFC BUILDING RIVERSIDE CA  US  92521-0001 (951)827-5535
Sponsor Congressional District:	39
Primary Place of Performance:	DATA NOT AVAILABLE
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	MR5QC5FCAVH5
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Molecular Biophysics
Primary Program Source:
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s):	114400
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.074

ABSTRACT

This project focuses on the initial hydrolysis of triacylglycerols to fatty acids in seeds. Lipase catalyzes the first step in the overall gluconeogenesis and thus may be the rate-controlling, and there is evidence that its action is subjected to internal and external controls. The triacylglycerols surrounded by a half-unit membrane. In this project, the specific binding between the maize lipase and lipid bodies will be probed. Their recognition signals will be studied by different biochemical methods and by analyses of the protein structures via their amino acid sequences. Site-directed mutagenesis of the proteins will also be performed to complement the above studies in pinpointing the binding sites. The general pattern of the findings on maize will be extended to cotton lipases.%%% Seed germination and post germinative growth represent an active and dynamic period of the life cycle. The system offers an ideal opportunity for the study of metabolism and development. The most prominent aspect of metabolism in seed germination is the mobilization of food reserves to support the growth of the embryo. In the storage tissues of seeds, three major food reserves are present; namely, lipids, protein, and starch. Most seeds contain a sizable amount of lipids, with notable exception in cereal grains. Even in cereals, some (2-5% of seed weight) storage lipid is present in various parts of the grains, depending on the species and variety. Lipids are good food storage in seeds since on a per volume basis they possess about twice as much energy as starch or proteins. The storage lipid is mobilized to provide carbon skeleton and energy for growing embryonic axis. This project supports studies on how lipids are utilized in seeds.***//

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