Scientists used gene-editing to confirm that a specific gene in maize called ZmHMA3 is critical for helping corn plants survive soils with too much zinc. Without it, plants grew poorly, suffered more oxidative damage, and accumulated dangerously high zinc levels in their tissues.
1
Corn plants with ZmHMA3 knocked out accumulated significantly higher zinc levels in both roots and leaves compared to normal plants under high-zinc stress.
ZmHMA3 expression was strongly induced by high-zinc conditions in both leaves and roots, confirming it is actively recruited as part of the plant's stress response.
mail
Weekly plant science — one email, Saturdays.
Check your inbox to confirm — link expires in 24 hours.
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many signup attempts from your network. Try again in an hour, or email hello@plant.news.
