In their study, the researchers took a closer look at the “resurrection” plant Craterostigma plantagineum: you might think the plant died during a drought, but a small amount of water is all it takes to revive the plant. The scientists analyzed the entire genome of Craterostigma plantagineum. Most animals have two copies of each chromosome – one from the mother, one from the father – Craterostigma has eight. Therefore, if the gene is present in eight copies, it can be read in principle “four times faster,” the scientists write.
In Craterostigma, several genes associated with increased drought tolerance are therefore rapidly turned on by light and protect against oxidative stress during drought.
They occur in large numbers in all drought-tolerant species. Therefore, they could use a large network of genes that they could possibly activate quickly in a drought situation.
Source: Ferra
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