An ancient and conserved function for Armadillo‐related proteins in the control of spore and seed germination by abscisic acid

What is it about?

This paper shows, using a reverse-genetic approach, that conserved plant Armadillo-related genes in the early-diverging land plant Physcomitrella (moss) have a novel function regulating spore germination in response to the ancient hormone abscisic acid (ABA). Moreover, we show that the Arabidopsis Armadillo-related gene homologues share this ancient germination function, regulating seed germination in response to ABA, in addition to their more recently-evolving role in flowering plant multicellular root development.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The paper shows that some genes and proteins had key signalling functions very early in land plant evolution that were used in both "halves" of the land plant life cycle for similar key purposes as plant lineages diverged over time. It also demonstrates that these conserved proteins can acquire new functions during plant evolution.

Perspectives