Sucrose Binding Protein-Mediated Sucrose Uptake Across the Plant Plasma Membrane This project is focused on a very unique plant plasma membrane protein, termed the sucrose binding protein (or SBP), that mediates sucrose uptake across the plasma membrane. The mechanism for how SBP-mediated sucrose uptake, however, is unique to plants and members of the laboratory are actively investigating the question of how this protein actually works. For more information and a list of references, see "the amazing SBP."

Lipoxygenase Structure and Function Lipoxygenases are critical enzymes that catalyze the addition of molecular oxygen to (Z),(Z)-pentadiene motifs of unsaturated fatty acids to from hydroperoxide products. These pri mary lipoxygenase products are further metabolized into cellular signaling molecules which mediate wound and stress responses in plants. Our laboratory has discovered that several of these lipoxygenases play another important role in the storage of nitrog en during vegetative growth. People working on this project are providing critical information on the use of these proteins as biochemical sites for nitrogen partitioning as well as defining their biochemical role in the generation of signaling molecules. For more information and a list of references, see "the schizophrenic world of plant lipoxygenases."