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Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland say they have discovered the gene that controls flowering and night dormancy in plants.
The research results published in the journal Molecular Systems Biology show that there are 12 genes that work together in order to set the plants’ internal clocks.
Findings indicate that the TOC1 protein that was previously known to help plants to wake up also decreases the gene activity at night.
"We now understand how the dozen or so genes work and are typical to particular times of the day," said Professor Andrew Millar.
"Having a biological clock is particularly important for plants to prepare for daylight and at night-time [to] store energy for growth,” he added.
Researchers say the new discovery is important, as it would help them further study the flowering of other plants.
"We now understand how it all fits together and how the same genes control rhythms in all plants as far back as single-celled algae," Millar noted.
"It's useful as it's important in terms of biology and flowering.”
Scientists are hopeful that the new data will open new doors to further discoveries regarding plant genes.
"We now know about 12 genes - but we would still like to know about the ones that control photosynthesis, nitrogen use, and petal opening and fragrance," Professor Millar concluded.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland say they have discovered the gene that controls flowering and night dormancy in plants.
The research results published in the journal Molecular Systems Biology show that there are 12 genes that work together in order to set the plants’ internal clocks.
Findings indicate that the TOC1 protein that was previously known to help plants to wake up also decreases the gene activity at night.
"We now understand how the dozen or so genes work and are typical to particular times of the day," said Professor Andrew Millar.
"Having a biological clock is particularly important for plants to prepare for daylight and at night-time [to] store energy for growth,” he added.
Researchers say the new discovery is important, as it would help them further study the flowering of other plants.
"We now understand how it all fits together and how the same genes control rhythms in all plants as far back as single-celled algae," Millar noted.
"It's useful as it's important in terms of biology and flowering.”
Scientists are hopeful that the new data will open new doors to further discoveries regarding plant genes.
"We now know about 12 genes - but we would still like to know about the ones that control photosynthesis, nitrogen use, and petal opening and fragrance," Professor Millar concluded.
