Key Protein Helps Plants Decide Whether To Use Energy For Growth Or Defense, Study

Sainsbury Laboratory researchers found that BZR1, a key protein, helps plants decide whether to invest their energy in growth or survival.

While previous studies have established that plants use steroid hormones to choose growth over defense when it comes to the question of survival, researchers were not sure as to what force drives this mechanism.

In a new study,Sainsbury Laboratory researchers found that it is a key protein named BZR1 that tips this decision in favor of growth, when the need arises, according to a press statement.

"A major dilemma faced by plants is whether to invest their energy in growth or defending against pathogens," said Professor Cyril Zipfel from the Sainsbury Laboratory. "Knowing how this is controlled adds a powerful tool in our ability to breed disease resistant plants with maximum yield."

This protein is also responsible for forcing the plant to ignore pathogen attacks, especially when growth is essential for the plant's survival. Researchers found that this protein is most active during seed germination when growth in the key factor for the plant's survival.  

"Light is essential for plant's survival and the number one priority for a seedling is to reach sunlight," said Dr. Rosa Lozano-Durán, first author of the study from TSL. "Investing the limited resources in fighting back a pathogen could have lethal consequences".

BZR1 is also responsible for controlling activities of genes associated with immunity. This protein also plays an important role in plant growth ignited by steroid hormones called brassinosteroids, which are common to all plants. Brassinosteroids are currently being studied for their role in semi-dwarfed cereal crops.