Paolo Pupillo, born 1944, obtained his degree in Biology at the
University of Bologna. After serving in the Army, he became a
research assistant in Plant Physiology (1970), then Plant
Physiology and Botany lecturer at the Universities of Modena (1972)
and Bologna (1974). Full professor of Plant Physiology since 1981
at the University of Modena and then in Bologna, he was later
appointed to dean of the Faculty of Science (1989-1998), also
chairman of the National Conference of the deans of Sciences.
Member of the National University Council (CUN) for the Faculties
of Sciences (1979-86). Twice president of the Italian Society of
Plant Physiology; member in charge of the Academy of Sciences of
Bologna since 1987; vice-rector for University settlements in
Romagna (2000-05). Several times dean of Biology courses in Bologna
(lately 2004-2010). Dr. Pupillo is co-author of textbooks:
ALPI A, PUPILLO P, RIGANO C (1989-2000) “Fisiologia delle piante”:
I-III ed., XVI+560 pp. Edises, Napoli;
PUPILLO P, CERVONE F, CRESTI M, RASCIO R (eds.) (2003) “Biologia
vegetale”, XII+483 pp., Zanichelli, Bologna; MELANDRI BA, PUPILLO P
(eds.) (2011) "L'energia e i vegetali". Società Italiana di
Biologia Vegetale.
Research activity. Dr. Pupillo led research units for
many years (“60%” and “40%” funds, National Research Council -
CNR), including the CNR network “Molecular basis of growth in
autotrophic organisms”. His scientific group participated to the
CNR-RAISA programme with a phytopathological project, to the
Agricultural Biotechnologies programme of MIRAAF (later MIPA) for
iron reduction (1996-98), to CNR-Agency 2000, to the Plant
Biotechnologies project of MIPAF, and others. More recently, the
group has been involved in national projects MIUR-PRIN and FIRB
(2005-2011). Our research unit consists of a few colleagues and
senior researchers (P. Trost, professor, the unit director since
November 1st, 2012; drs. F.Sparla, S.Scagliarini, M.
Zaffagnini, ) and others in postdoctoral or doctorate
positions.
Since his earliest international papers (1968), P. Pupillo
has been investigating plant enzymes from a structural and a
functional standpoint, kinetics and distribution (isoforms of malic
enzyme, cytosolic glyceradehyde-3-phosphate: NADP+ reductase and
others). The long series of investigations on chloroplast
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase had a remarkable impact as
NAD(P)-GAPDH is an enzyme located near the “heart” of
photosynthetic carbon assimilation. We have substantially
contributed to clarify properties and forms of this protein and
recently its tridimensional structure and regulation, as well as
formation and structure of the "night-time" multienzyme complex of
photosynthesis. Within this context, studies on chloroplast
thioredoxins, the unstructured protein CP12 and phosphoribulose
kinase have become central. Mainly in relation to the greenhouse
effect, there is currently renewed interest in this group of
proteins which make use of nearly all energy of photosynthesis by
mediating CO2 reduction to organic molecules. A surprising
development concerns the effect of thioredoxins on a β-amylase of
chloroplasts mainly located in stomata, which becomes activated in
the light.
An important part of our research for many years, starting from
studies commenced in Freiburg i.Br., is devoted to redox
enzymes of plant membranes, “new” flavoenzymes in particular,
including the NAD(P)H-quinone
reductase whose distant relationship to animal
DT-diaphorase has been documented. Other studies have led to
purification of a soluble NADH: ferri-chelate reductase identified
as a cytochrome b5 reductase. Recent investigations on
non-mitochondrial transmembrane cytochromes b561 have led to
the discovery of a new protein family of
plasmamembrane cytochromes Air12 protruding
into apoplast with two heme groups, and involved in ascorbate
metabolism in such a way as to modify cell wall components, growth
and pathogen resistance. Also, the role of the vacuolar membrane in
iron metabolism has been shown to involve tonoplast cytochrome
b-561 for reduction of FeIII to FeII (the physiologically
active form). Another research line developed some time ago with
colleagues of the Agricultural faculty (on effects of bacterial
pectate lyases) stimulated our proposal about the induction of
programmed cell death by products of tissue lysis. Also relevant
was the finding of protective effect by bacterial
lipopolysaccharides on oxidative stress in tobacco. More recently
we have investigated the fireblight disease by Erwinia
amylovora in pear trees and observed by use of molecular probes
that certain compounds tested are able to induce systemic acquired
resistance (SAR).
