Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
11:33
Investigating Interactions Between Histone Modifying Enzymes and Transcription Factors in vivo by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
Published on: October 14, 2022
GRAS-domain transcription factors that regulate plant development
Sibylle Hirsch1, Giles E D Oldroyd
1Department of Disease and Stress Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK. Sibylle.Hirsch@bbsrc.ac.uk
Plant Signaling & Behavior
|October 13, 2009
Summary
GRAS proteins are crucial for plant growth, mediating hormone and light signaling. New research reveals their roles in root development and symbiosis, highlighting their function as transcription factors.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Plant growth and development are complex processes regulated by various molecular mechanisms.
- GRAS (Gibberellic acid-Insensitive, Scarecrow, and DELLA) domain proteins represent a plant-specific family with critical roles in these processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse functions of GRAS proteins in plant growth and development.
- To highlight the involvement of specific GRAS proteins in gibberellic acid (GA) and light signaling pathways.
- To discuss the roles of GRAS proteins in root patterning and legume symbiosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on GRAS protein function.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying GRAS protein action.
- Focus on DELLA proteins, SCR-SHR interactions, and legume-specific NSP1 and NSP2 proteins.
Main Results:
- DELLA proteins are key regulators of gibberellic acid and light signaling.
- SCR-SHR interactions are essential for root patterning.
- NSP1 and NSP2 are required for establishing root nodule symbiosis in legumes.
Conclusions:
- GRAS proteins exhibit both common and distinct molecular mechanisms of action.
- Emerging evidence points to their function as transcription factors.
- Protein movement plays a significant role in modulating GRAS protein activity and function.
More Related Videos
09:31Inducible, Cell Type-Specific Expression in Arabidopsis thaliana Through LhGR-Mediated Trans-Activation
Published on: April 19, 2019
11:04Geomagnetic Field (Gmf) and Plant Evolution: Investigating the Effects of Gmf Reversal on Arabidopsis thaliana Development and Gene Expression
Published on: November 30, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
02:16Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
02:16Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
02:36RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Proteins that regulate transcription can do so either via direct contact with RNA Polymerase or through indirect interactions facilitated by adaptors, mediators, histone-modifying proteins, and nucleosome remodelers. Direct interactions to activate transcription is seen in bacteria as well as in some eukaryotic genes. In these cases, upstream activation sequences are adjacent to the promoters, and the activator proteins interact directly with the transcriptional machinery. For example, in...