A widely found gene in plants has been newly identified as a key transporter of a hormone that influences the size of corn. The discovery offers plant breeders a new tool to develop desirable dwarf varieties that could enhance the crop's resilience and profitability.
A widely found gene in plants has been newly identified as a key transporter of a hormone that influences the size of corn. The discovery offers plant breeders a new tool to develop desirable dwarf varieties that could enhance the crop's resilience and profitability.
The group used"reverse genetic screening" , combined with other techniques, as they tracked their gene's role in corn development. Reverse screens require multiple growing seasons and don't always work, according to Kelley. It took seven years for her group to thoroughly characterize ZmPILS6 and verify it regulates plant growth.
As they studied ZmPILS6 in corn, the researchers made another curious finding: The gene seemed to have opposite effects on plant growth than a comparable gene in"This was very unexpected," Kelley said."It illustrates that plant proteins, which have evolved in different contexts, can behave differently. It emphasizes the need to study genes directly within key crops of interest, rather than thinking we understand them based on how they work in other plants.
Kelley calls the new research"foundational" basic research to understand a gene that impacts numerous, complex growth traits, which evolution has conserved through many plants, from algae to maize."It is also 'translational,' in that it links to genetic resources that can be used to improve breeding programs," she said."This opens up whole new questions and facets of research for my laboratory.
Life Sciences Botany Genetics Agriculture And Food Food And Agriculture Biology Biotechnology And Bioengineering
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