Prion Like Proteins held plants in decision making: MIT

Q.  Sohini Chakrabortee has identified three proteins playing a role in the flowering of a plant of which family?
- Published on 28 Apr 16

a. Arabidopsis
b. Arantopsis
c. Iriotopsis
d. Cerantopsis

ANSWER: Arabidopsis
 
Prions are proteins that are usually referred to in relation to the spread of neuro diseases. But a study authored by an Indian scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests prion-like proteins could hold the key to understanding what gives plants memory and aids in their decision-making.
  • Sohini Chakrabortee, a researcher at MIT's Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR), conducted studies that identified three proteins that played a role in the flowering of a plant of the Arabidopsis family.
  • Prions have so far been identified primarily for their role in the spread of some neurodegenerative diseases.
  • The role of the prion-like protein - Luminidependence - is being studied as plants decide each spring whether to bloom or not.

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