Plant Gene Expression - Article Example

Thain, Hall, and Miller (951) thus investigated the rhythmic expression of a particular gene using a bioluminescent luciferase reporter gene. For this purpose, three promoters (PHYB, CHS, and CAB) in a transgenic Arabidopsis plant were monitored in the presence of light/dark treatments to specific tissue areas.

 The study showed that plants have circadian clocks spaced throughout them. These clocks are autonomous and are not controlled by a localized pacemaker, unlike animals. These regulate the gene expression in plants. The independent circadian rhythms are synchronized by independent and simultaneous entrainment of the clocks. The circadian system is less accurate but highly flexible.

One question that this paper might raise is the significance of autonomy of the localized circadian clocks. How the organism can be regulated as a whole might be the subject of future study. Another question that is raised by this study is what advantage (evolutionary or functional advantage) does the more flexible yet less accurate circadian timing provide to the plants.