In the course of recent studies, German and Chinese scientists have found out that the WUSCHEL protein, which controls the development of educational tissues (meristems) of plants, is able to stop the synthesis of viral proteins. Thus, the educational tissues of plants cannot be infected.
According to ToDay News Ufa, the results of the scientific work were published in the journal Science. Unlimited growth is characteristic of plants due to meristems – educational tissues. Such cells are actively dividing and retain physiological activity throughout life, providing material for the formation of specialized tissues. The meristems are located on the stems and roots of plants, which allows for longitudinal growth.
Since the 50s of the last century, it has already been known that the cells of the apical meristems cannot be infected with practically any viruses.
Study co-author Zhong Zhao, professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, said: “The chemical dexamethasone is known to stimulate WUSCHEL protein synthesis. When we infected the watercress with the virus and then treated some plants with dexamethasone, about 90% of the treated plants were not infected, while 89% of the untreated plants were infected with the virus. ”
Thus, the WUSCHEL protein suppresses the production of viral proteins, in the same way as it blocks the synthesis of plant proteins, leaving the educational tissues to wait for the moment when the plant needs new cells.
It was previously reported that changes in the human body due to coronavirus are described.
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