GABA in Plants (IMAGE)

University of Würzburg

GABA in Plants

Caption

During drought, the signalling molecule GABA is produced and inhibits the opening of leaf pores (left). If the enzyme GAD2, which converts glutamate to GABA, is genetically switched off, the pores remain open even during drought - the plants lose more water (centre). If the gene for GAD2 is reintroduced into the closing cells, the defect is reversed. The experiment shows that the sphincter cells autonomously perceive stress and react to it with GABA production.

Credit

(Picture: Rainer Hedrich / University of Wuerzburg)

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