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S. Korean scientists find gene that may lead to greater CO2 absorbing plants
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists have discovered a gene that could be used to develop plants with an increased capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) the team responsible for the discovery said Monday.
The Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) team led by Lee Young-sook said it has determined that the AtABCB14 transporter protein controls the size of tiny pores or the stomata on leaves that regulate the flow of gases in and out of plants.
The discovery, published in the latest Internet edition of Nature Cell Biology, marks the first time that researchers have identified the natural mechanism associated with these holes that react to the level of CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 absorbed by plants become oxygen through the photosynthesis process.
In nature, the stomata -- usually located on the underside of leaves -- become smaller if there is a large amount of CO2, with the AtABCB14 bringing about the change in size of these pores.
POSTECH team said it has specially engineered a Arabidopsis thaliana or mouse-ear cress plant to have an "overactive" AtABCB14 gene which resulted in a larger opening of the stomata despite high CO2 levels.
It, however, said that while the pore openings remained larger than usual for a certain amount of time, they started to close up, indicating that the gene is not the sole factor for the regulation of the stomata. Researchers speculated that light and moisture may play a role as well.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology that supported the work through its Global Research Lab project, meanwhile, said the discovery comes at an appropriate time since the world is striving to reduce global warming, which has been cited for causing disruption to weather patterns around the world, adversely affecting human lives.
Global warming is primarily triggered by the release of CO2 and other greenhouses gases into the atmosphere.
In addition to Lee, who is a life science professor at the Pohang-based university, Enrico Martinoia of the University of Zurich contributed to the findings.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
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