RAF-like protein kinases mediate a deeply conserved, rapid auxin response. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38128538/)

These scientists wanted to understand how plants and algae respond to a special molecule called auxin. Auxin can make plants grow and develop. The scientists knew that in land plants, there is a pathway inside the cells that helps auxin control gene expression and growth. But they didn't know if this pathway is also present in algae, which are like the cousins of land plants.

To find out, the scientists studied different species of plants and algae. They discovered that when auxin is present, it causes a quick response in the cells of these plants and algae. This response happens very fast and involves a lot of proteins in the cells.

The scientists found that this quick response is similar in five different species of plants and algae. They also found that there are some proteins that are the same in all of these species. These proteins are like the superstars that help auxin do its job.

To understand more, the scientists looked closer at one specific protein called rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (RAF)-like protein kinase. They found that this protein is very important in helping auxin cause the quick response in the cells. It helps auxin change other proteins in the cells by adding a special chemical called phosphate to them.

By studying this protein, the scientists learned that it has been around for a very long time, even before land plants and algae evolved. This means that this way of responding to auxin is very old and has been passed down through many generations of plants and algae.

So, these scientists discovered that auxin can trigger a fast response in plants and algae, and they found a special protein that helps auxin do this. This protein has been around for a long time and is important for many different species of plants and algae.

Kuhn A., Roosjen M., Mutte S., Dubey SM., Carrillo Carrasco VP., Boeren S., Monzer A., Koehorst J., Kohchi T., Nishihama R., Fendrych M., Sprakel J., Friml J., Weijers D. RAF-like protein kinases mediate a deeply conserved, rapid auxin response. Cell. 2024 Jan 4;187(1):130-148.e17. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.021. Epub 2023 Dec 20.