Elena del Campillo

Assistant Research Professor

Ph.D. — University of California Riverside 1981

Telephone: (301) 405-7498

Fax: (301) 314-9082

E-mail: cd84@umail.umd.edu

Research Interest: Plant Molecular Physiology

Plant cell walls contain numerous hydrolytic enzymes to mediate cell wall changes. In factA recent, analysis of the overall complete Arabidopsis genome sequence has revealed that a high proportion of genes of its genome isis invested in cell wall metabolism and. it It is predicted that at least half of the genes currently classified as "unknown" encode enzymes for cell wall modification.

My research employs molecular/genetic approaches to elucidate the role of one gene enzyme family of cell wall enzymesgenes, the endo b 1,4 glucanases, commonly referred to as cellulases. In Arabidopsis, this family encompasses many proteins that are predicted to be secreted to the cell wall and few membrane proteins which are predicted to be anchored in the plasma membrane. We analyze gene expression of genes most structurally different genes representing the greatest structural contrast using promoter-driven reporter gene constructs, as well as RT-PCR from RNAs derived from different parts of the plants. We also use double stranded RNARNAi to generate RNAi mutants that down regulate the expression of each member of the family. The analysis of genotype and phenotype of RNAi plants, together with gene expression studies, are revealing that secreted cellulases are episodically expressed, cell cell-type specific and linked to processes that entail cell-cell separation. On the other hand, while.membrane cellulases (eg. KORRIGAN) are expressed throughout the plant, strongly expressed in meristematic and raplidly rapidly expanding cells, and are linked cellulose synthesis and cell expansion.

My early work was involved in with the analysis of cellulases in bean leaves leaf abscission and, more recently, in abscission of tomato flowers. We are now searching for the homologous genes involve ind with abscission of Arabidopsis flowers.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Reviewer for: Plant Physiology, Plant Cell, Journal of Plant Physiology and USDA, CSRS, National Research Initiative, Competitive Research Grant Office, NSF, Integrative Plant Biology Units and BARD.

GRANTS:

USDA , CSRS, National Research Initiative, Competitive Research Grants Program, The Role of Cell Wall Hydrolases in Tomato Flower Abscission, 1992-1996,

NSF, Career Advancement Award, The Role of Multiple Cellulases in Arabidopsis Plant Development, 9/1996-2/1998,

NSF, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience/ Integrative Plant Biology, The Role of Multiple Cellulases in Plant Cell Wall Processes. 1999,

USDA , CSRE and Extension Service, National Research Initiative, Competitive Research Grants Program, Multiple Endo 1,4-b-D Glucanase (cellulase) Genes in Arabidopsis Flower Abscission" 2000,

 

 

GRADUATE TEACHING:

BOTANY 698C Plant Physiology, "Recent Developments in the Structure and Function of the Plant Cell Wall", Spring 1995

Guest Lecturer, Botany 698C, Plant Physiology, Spring 1994, 1997

WORKSHOPS:

Participant and Organizer:Tissue Print Workshop at the Plant Physiology Society, 1995

PUBLICATIONS

del Campillo, E., Durbin, M., and Lewis, L.N. (1988) Changes in Two Forms of Membrane-Associated Cellulase During Ethylene-Induced Abscission. Plant Physiol. 88: 904-909.

Tucker M.L., Sexton, R., del Campillo, E. and Lewis, L.N. (1988) Bean Abscission Cellulase.Characterization of a cDNA clone and Regulation of Gene Expression by Ethylene and Auxin. Plant Physiol. 88: 1257-1262.

del Campillo, E., Reid, P. D., Sexton, R. and Lewis, L. N. (1990) Occurrence and Localization of 9.5 Cellulase in Abscising and Nonabscising Tissues. Plant Cell 2: 245-254.

Sexton, R., del Campillo, E., Duncan, D. and Lewis, L. N. (1990) The Purification of an Anther Cellulase (b1,4 Glucan Hydrolase) and its Relationship to the Similar Enzyme Found in Abscission Zones. Plant Science 67: 169-176.

Reid, P.D., del Campillo, E., and Lewis, L. N. (1990) Anatomical Changes and Immunolocalization of Cellulase During Abscission as Observed on Nitrocellulose Tissue Prints. Plant Physiol. 93:160-165.

del Campillo, E. and Lewis, L. N. (1992) Identification and Kinetics of Accumulation of Proteins Induced by Ethylene in Bean Abscission Zones. Plant Physiol. 98: 955-961.

del Campillo, E. and Lewis, L. N. (1992) Occurrence of 9.5 Cellulase and Other Hydrolases in Flower Reproductive Organs Undergoing Major Cell Wall Disruption. Plant Physiol. 99: 1015-1020.

del Campillo, E. and Bennett, A.B. (1996). Pedicel Breakstrength and Cellulase Gene Expression during Tomato Flower Abscission. Plant Physiol 111: 813-820

Gonzales-Bosch, C., del Campillo, E. and Bennett, A. B. (1997). Immunodetection and Characterization of Tomato Endo-ß-1,4-glucanase Cel1 Protein in Flower Abscission Zones. Plant Physiol. 114:1541-1546.

Book Chapters

Dey, P. and del Campillo, E. (1984) "Multiple Forms of Glycosidases in Plants". In Advances in Enzymology. Vol.56, pp. 141-249. Alton Meister, ed.) Interscience Publication, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Sexton, R., Tucker, M.L., del Campillo, E., and Lewis, L.N. (1989) The Cell Biology of Bean Leaf Abscission. NATO ASI Series, vol H 35. pp 69-78. Osborne DJ and Jackson MB, eds, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

del Campillo, E. (1992) Induction, Accumulation, Localization, and Transport Studies by Tissue printing. In: Tissue Printing: Tools for the Study of Anatomy, Histochemistry, and Gene Expression. pp. 41-58. R. Pont-Lezica, P.D. Reid, E. del Campillo and R. Taylor eds, Academic Press.

del Campillo, E. (1999) Multiple Endo-1,4-b-D-Glucanase (Cellulase) Genes In Arabidopsis. Current Topics in Developmental Biology . Vol46:39-61.