Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, have found that a single protein BBX32 helps plants time their first step from darkness into light.
About BBX32 Protein:
It is a B-box (BBX) protein (B-box plays an important role in plant growth and development).
It helps provide leads to control the timing of seedling emergence and help maximise proper seedling establishment.
How does it Work?
When a seed sprouts in darkness under the soil, its stem curves into a small hook shape that protects the delicate shoot tip as it pushes upward.
The hook needs to stay ‘closed’ until the seedling breaks through the soil and meets light.
Ethylene is a plant hormone that builds up underground and light works together to decide exactly when the hook opens.
‘BBX32’ helps in plant growth regulation by keeping its first leaves folded until they emerge from the soil and thus provide crucial aid in the seedling establishment process.
BBX32 was found to work by raising the activity of the PIF3 protein, which switched on HLS1, which kept the hook closed. If PIF3 was missing, BBX32 couldn’t prevent the hook from opening.
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