Activation and inhibition of gene expression has long been thought to be controlled by different proteins. Recently, scientists have discovered for the first time in plant cells that EBS protein has both functions, both to promote and inhibit the expression of flowering genes.
The breakthrough research results of the Department of Genetics of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Snowflake Task Force, were recently published in the journal Nature Genetics, which revealed molecular switches that determine the flowering fate of plant cells, and also strongly demonstrated epigenetic Learn about the flexible regulation of gene expression.
Epigenetics is an emerging field in recent years. Unlike genetics, epigenetic studies regulate gene expression by modifying genetic material without changing DNA. "The change of DNA is permanent, and the modification is very flexible. For example, methylation is the modification of the molecular group of the methyl group. When the cell does not need it, it can also be removed." This flexibility also makes plants more adaptable to changes in the external environment.
There are multiple histones in one gene, some are modified by activators, and some are modified by inhibitory factors. Foreign regulatory proteins regulate gene expression by binding to certain factor modifications.
The activation or inhibition of a gene was previously thought to be regulated by a different protein. An accidental discovery by the research team broke the recognition that EBS proteins can bind to molecular groups that activate and inhibit the two modified functions, respectively. This has aroused the interest of scientists and further found the flowering gene, the target of this protein.
"It is like a Christmas tree. Some places on the tree are hung with red lights, some are green lights. EBS protein is a dual-control switch that turns on traffic lights." Zhong Xuehuai said to the image of the Science and Technology Daily, the green light is bright, the flowering gene It is expressed, the red light is on, and the expression is limited.
It is also the dual identity of the EBS protein that makes the research team in trouble when it cooperates with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to analyze its structure.
Scientists need to combine EBS protein with histones to form a co-crystal and analyze it as a substrate. However, compared with the single binding function of regulatory proteins, EBS protein is not strong enough to activate and inhibit histones. "The co-crystals formed are not stable enough and are easily destroyed during deconstruction," said Zhong Xuehua.
In addition to endogenous factors, flowering is also affected by many external environmental factors. The EBS protein is specifically regulated by which external factors, and is still under study.
“Of course we want to see that it can be regulated by many environmental factors.†Zhong Xuehua explained that the harsh environment in nature usually consists of many factors. If you can screen out small molecules that can regulate EBS protein in the future, it is expected to pass in the future. Spray a solution containing small molecules to promote plant flowering in adverse environments. (Intern Liu Yuting)
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