Researchers have identified a gene in plants that plays an important role in the regulation of carbon dioxide uptake for photosynthesis and water evaporation, and may thus aid in the development of drought-tolerant crops. The gene regulates the opening and closing of the stomatal pores.

Professor Jaakko Kangasjarvi and his research group from the University of Helsinki identified the anion channel using a mutation of Arabidopsis thaliana commonly known as thale cress. The mutant does not react by closing its stomata as a response to high ozone or carbon dioxide concentration in the air like a healthy plant does. Scientist at the University of California demonstrated with electrophysiological measurements that the gene identified encodes an anion channel involved in the regulation of stomatal activities.

The gene discovered is of central importance for the mechanisms of stomatal regulation. Unlike the ion channels detected previously, this newly discovered anion channel takes part in the regulation of all the main stomatal activities.

The report has recently been published online in Nature's Advance Online Publication.

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