Japanese scientists discover ways to regenerate plant tissues

Scientists from the Tokyo University of Science (Japan) have discovered a new way to regenerate plant tissues. Plant regeneration occurs through the formation of a mass of pluripotent cells. Pluripotence involves gene silencing to eliminate the original tissue memory and priming for activation by external input. Japanese scientists have shown that the regenerative capacity of plants requires a certain demethylase that can stimulate gene expression in response to regenerative signals.

Using Arabidopsis thaliana, research director Sachihiro Matsunaga and his team studied histone modifications throughout the genome. Histones are proteins that package eukaryotic DNA, preventing it from being transcribed or decoded. However, after modification, the grip of these proteins around the DNA molecule was looser, which facilitated DNA transcription.

The scientists discovered that it is the demethylation (the removal of a methyl group of the amino acid) of the histone H3 by the enzyme LDL3 grants regenerative competence to the plant. This epigenetic mechanism allows the pluripotent cells of the plant to return to their unipotent state and, therefore, assume the identity of the meristems of the outbreak for differentiated tissues, including leaves and stems.

Because no seeds are needed to grow these plants, this could help scientists grow plants faster without flowering. "By strengthening the ability of plants to reproduce, even without seeds, it is possible to increase the number of clonal plants with only leaves, stems and root parts. It can address environmental problems by promoting greening and solving the global food problem by increasing the production of grains and vegetables, ”explains Matsunaga.

More information on the article from the Tokyo University of Sciences.

Source
Antama Foundation

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