Nature & Environment

Plants have a unique way of avoiding sunburn

By T.K. Randall
April 18, 2018

Image: DNA Methylation
Credit: Christoph Bock, Max Planck Institute for Informatics / CC BY-SA 3.0 (adapted) According to researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, this 'nucleotide excision repair' helps to reverse any damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.

This system is particularly vital because, unlike humans, plants cannot avoid sunlight.

"These findings advance our understanding of DNA repair mechanisms common among all organisms and may also have practical applications," said study co-author Dr. Ogun Adebali.The study involved developing an excision-repair mapping technique with which the scientists were able to find and sequence any damaged sections of DNA removed during the repair process.

The team then used these to pinpoint where the DNA damage had been repaired.

"The results show that excision repair in plants is regulated in much the same way it is in other organisms - in order to maximize efficiency," said first author Dr. Onur Oztas.

"DNA damage accumulating in a plant will impair its growth and development, so boosting the excision repair system could be a good strategy for improving crop yields."

Source: Earth.com

Tags: Plants, Sun, DNA