A non-DNA-binding activity for the ATHB4 transcription factor in the control of vegetation proximity

What is it about?

Adaptation to the presence of neighboring vegetation requires the action of the transcription factor ATHB4. Our structure-function analyses indicate that ATHB4 might act either as a transcription factor (via its binding activity to the DNA regulatory sequences) or a co-factor (without binding to the DNA) to regulate different developmental processes.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

These findings reveal an additional level of genome plasticity in the adaptation of plants to challenging environments.