Bruce D. Kohorn, Ph.D.

Research

My studies now concentrate on two types of signaling pathways. One involves communication between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cytoplasm of angiosperms. The other project involves a redox controlled, membrane bound organelle protein kinase that regulates light energy transduction and the perception of light. We have discovered a family of 5 Arabidopsis thaliana protein kinases, designated WAKs for Wall Associated Kinases, that likely provide a physical and a signaling continuum between the cell wall and the cytoplasm. All five WAKs contain a cytoplasmic protein kinase domain and span the plasma membrane to extend into the cell wall a domain that contains cysteine rich repeats. We are currently investigating WAK function in turgor control and WAK biogenesis.