Royal Holloway researchers have discovered how natural responses to stress in plants modify the way DNA is wrapped up in the cell to help it withstand the adverse effects that climate change has on its growth. The study was published in BMC Biology. Scientists used the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (Thale cress) treated with the plant hormone Jasmonate to stress out the plant’s internal mechanism.
Scientists analysed how stress can alter the way DNA is coiled in cells to switch genes on and off. The understanding of such mechanisms could lead to improved plant survival to adverse environmental conditions. This includes drought. It results in a stronger plant capable of withstanding climate changes.
This research has shown that changes in the natural modifications of the proteins binding the plant DNA inherited traits to make future plant generations more robust against other stresses like cold or pathogen attacks. This is very important data in light of the climate change crisis. As growing crops to feed the world will become increasingly difficult.
Being able to generate plants which can resist adverse environments would be a real game-changer. Scientists are excited to have discovered these finely-tuned stress responses in plants.
This investigation shows how the effect of stress has repercussions across the whole plant genome. It is universally conserved between plants and animals.
These findings are an important milestone in understanding the mechanisms through which plants can become more resilient to the challenges they face in the future.
