A group of researchers from Bacha Khan University in Pakistan and other
institutions investigated a type of plant protein called MYB transcription
factors (MYB TFs) to see if they could improve crop yields under stressful
conditions like heat, salt, and drought. Their findings are published in GM
Crops & Food.



The researchers analyzed the MYB TFs from rice (OsMYB) and compared them to
other plants. Similar structures and functions were found in several groups,
and the parts of the MYB TFs involved in controlling responses to stress
were identified. They transformed OsMYB TF into tobacco plants using
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to verify the function of OsMYB. When
the transformed plants were exposed to stressful conditions, they exhibited
improved resistance to the stressors.



The findings contribute vital information necessary for developing more
resilient crops through genetic engineering or gene editing.



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