hormone-signaling
Hormone signaling in plants refers to the molecular pathways by which chemical messengers such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid bind to specific receptor proteins to regulate gene expression and cellular responses. These signaling cascades govern nearly every aspect of plant growth and development, from seed germination and root elongation to flowering time and stress responses. Understanding these pathways is essential for crop improvement, as manipulating hormone signaling can enhance yield, drought tolerance, and resilience to environmental challenges.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-05-01
Scientists mapped the 3D structures of animal reproductive hormones and their cellular receptors, tracing their evolution from ancient sea creatures to humans. A key puzzle emerged: lab imaging shows these receptors work as single units, yet cell experiments suggest pairs are needed for full function — and a worm relative may hold the answer.
Glycoprotein hormones and their receptors evolved in the earliest multicellular animals (sponges and comb jellies) and are completely absent from plants and single-celled organisms.
Cryo-EM imaging reveals all known human glycoprotein hormone receptors are monomers (single units), contradicting biochemical and cellular evidence that receptor dimers (pairs) are required for proper signaling.
The C. elegans roundworm receptor forms a stable dimer and, when compared structurally to human receptors, provides a hypothetical atomic model for how human receptor dimers might form and function.