Scientists led by those from the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru (NCBS-TIFR), have found a new pathway that regulates nitrate absorption in plants.
Key Highlights
- The gene MADS27 regulates nitrate absorption, root development and stress tolerance.
- The gene MADS27 is activated by the micro-RNA, miR444, therefore offers a way to control these properties of the plant. The researchers studied this mechanism in both rice (monocot) and tobacco (dicot) plants.
- The micro-RNA ‘miR444’ is specific to monocots. When this is not made, its target, MADS27, is produced in higher abundance, and it improves biosynthesis and transport of the hormone auxin, which is key for root development and its branching.
- This regulatory miR444 switch isknown to turn off at least five genes called MADS box transcription factorgenes.
Speciality of the MADS box
- The speciality of the MADS box transcription factors is that they function like switch boxes of their own. They bind to their favourite specific DNA sequences and they switch the neighbouring genes “on.”
- The researchers have studied a target gene of miR444 called MADS27, a transcription factor which hasn’t been studied well before.
Three-pronged effect on the plant
Researchers have found that MADS27 transcription factor has a three-pronged effect on the plant.
- First, it regulates nitrate absorption by switching “on” proteins involved in this process.
- Second, it leads to better development of the roots by regulating auxin hormone production and transport.
- Finally, it helps in the abiotic stress tolerance by keeping the main stress player proteins“ on.”
(Source: The Hindu)
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