Gene found that helps azaleas survive hotter summers
Zuo W, He Y, Zeng L, Guo Q, Li Q
Climate Adaptation
The azaleas and rhododendrons that scorch and sulk in your yard during hot summers may eventually be bred with this gene, so they can keep blooming as temperatures climb.
A wild azalea relative handles heat well, and scientists found the gene that acts like a master switch for its heat defenses. When the plant gets hot, the switch turns on protective proteins and helps clear out damaging molecules that harm cells. Plants with extra copies of the gene tolerated heat better, and plants with it disabled did worse.
Key Findings
Identified 22 heat shock transcription factor genes in the Rhododendron simsii genome, with RsHSFA3 responding rapidly and strongly to heat stress
Overexpressing RsHSFA3 in Arabidopsis improved both basal and acquired heat tolerance, while CRISPR/Cas9-edited R. simsii callus lines showed reduced ROS scavenging and membrane stability
RsHSFA3 binds promoters of RsHSP70, RsHSP30, RsAPG2, RsXPO1 and RsHSP80 to activate them, and physically interacts with RsHSP70 and RsHSP82
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers found a gene in the heat-hardy Rhododendron simsii, a parent of many garden azaleas, that switches on the plant's defenses against hot weather. It could help breeders develop heat-sensitive rhododendrons that survive warmer summers.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
RsHSFA3 of Rhododendron simsii confers plant heat tolerance by molecular regulation.
Global warming severely restricts the cultivation and landscape application of heat-sensitive alpine rhododendrons. Rhododendron simsii, an important parent of hybrid azaleas, exhibits strong heat ...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Targeted knockout of a host peroxisomal peptidase confers field resistance to...
The corn in your grocery store and the staple food keeping millions of East African families fed is under serious threat from a viral disease that can wipe o...
Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the genus Rhododendron, particularly the former subgenera Tsutsusi (evergreen) and Pentanthera (deciduous). Azaleas bloom in the spring, their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant, they prefer living near or under trees. They are part of the family E...