Steroid discoveries could add bulk to cro...( In the article published in Cell Cho...)

In the article published in Cell, Chory and her colleagues discovered important new details about how steroids transmit a chemical signal to the interior of plant cells. "Our genetic studies had identified the proteins BES1 and the similar protein BZR1 as two that accumulate in the nucleus as a result of steroid action," said Chory. However, despite the fact that the proteins were in a location and in a form that suggested they could regulate gene activity, they did not appear to possess any of the known structures found in transcription factors seen in either plant or animal cells, said Chory.

But the researchers' experiments showed that BES1 does, indeed, bind to and interact with DNA in a way that one would expect if it were a transcription factor. The experiments also revealed that BES1 joins with another transcription factor called BIM1 to activate genes known to be regulated by steroid hormones.

"So, in these two papers we have established a precise function for proteins that were known from genetic experiments to be important in steroid signaling, but we didn't know exactly what they were doing," concluded Chory.

"These findings open the way to understanding the molecular mechanism of one of the key plant growth hormones; and this will offer the prospect for actively increasing the biomass and yield in crop plants," she said. "Understanding this mechanism is important because, although the steroids themselves do affect plants, they are prohibitively expensive. If we can find simpler ways of manipulating these biosynthetic response pathways in plants, it could have a very significant impact on crop yields, as well plant response to stress and to senescence programs," said Chory.

'"/>

Contact: Jim Keeley
keeleyj@hhmi.org
301-215-8858
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
27-Jan-2005

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Steroids, not songs, spur growth of brain regions in sparrows
2. Steroid hormones regulate the body clock
3. University of Colorado licenses two influenza virus detection discoveries to Quidel Corp.
4. Mucosal-surface immune function discoveries could boost vaccine research
5. 2006 is banner year for discoveries of new species in Borneos rainforests
6. Yale scientists to hold press conference on planetary discoveries, extraterrestrial life
7. Molecular discoveries aim at advancing early diagnosis of cancers
8. International award honors discoveries in cellular and molecular immunology
9. Underwater listening devices yield discoveries about endangered large whales
10. Spectacular new discoveries arising from deep ocean hot springs
11. New discoveries about neuron plasticity linked to learning and memory