Led by CSHL Professor and HHMI Investigator Zachary Lippman, the team uncovered that tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana plants can regulate the same gene in vastly different ways due to divergent evolutionary paths spanning over 125 million years. Through genome editing, the researchers generated over 70 mutant strains of both plant types, each lacking segments of regulatory DNA surrounding the gene CLV3, to examine variations in plant growth and development.
The study revealed that excessive mutation of the DNA regulating CLV3 can lead to disproportionate fruit growth. "CLV3's timely activation is crucial for normal plant development," explained Danielle Ciren, the study's lead researcher and a recent graduate of the CSHL School of Biological Sciences. "Overgrowth of fruits, while visually impressive, may not yield the most beneficial crop outcomes, highlighting the delicate balance between growth and yield."
Significant findings from the research showed that mutations near the start of the CLV3 gene in tomatoes and around both ends of the gene in Arabidopsis resulted in dramatic size variations in fruit, suggesting distinct evolutionary adaptations over millions of years. The exact evolutionary changes remain elusive, underscoring the complex nature of genetic regulation across different plant species.
This discovery not only adds a new layer to our understanding of plant evolution but also paves the way for more predictable genome engineering in crops, offering potential benefits for science, agriculture, and food production globally.
Research Report:Extreme restructuring of cis-regulatory regions controlling a deeply conserved plant stem cell regulator
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