The evolutionary success of orchid family is driven by its extraordinary adaptation. Chalcone synthase (CHS) gene encodes the key enzyme for biosynthesis of flavonoids, secondary metabolites important for plant...
Vuosku and colleagues find an evolutionarily old gymnosperm, Scots pine, has a bifunctional SPDS able to produce both Spd and Spm, while angiosperms seem to depend on separate enzymes in Spd and Spm biosynthesis.
Molecular-based studies of thermotolerance have rarely been performed on wild plants, although this trait can be critical for summer survival. Amano et al. use a chlorophyll bioassay combined with gene-expression...