Plant cells survive but stop dividing upon DNA damage: NAIST researchers show the molecular pathway through which plants cease cell division upon DNA damage
Nara Institute of Science and Technology
The cell cycle is the system through which a cell grows and divides. DNA damage suppresses CDK activity, which prevents progression to M phase. The study further found that the accumulated Rep-MYB proteins target genes responsible for transitioning the cell to M phase. Prof. Umeda says that the study provides a new paradigm for how plant cell division ceases upon DNA damage, thus preventing damaged cells from accumulating under stressful conditions. Without DNA damage, CDK prevents Rep-MYB from activating, which allows the cell cycle to progress to cell division.