Investigating the molecular basis of desiccation tolerance using the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum as an experimental system

The array of genes isolated and characterised from Craterostigma to date allow many insights to be made into the protection mechanisms underlying the desiccation tolerance phenomenon and drought-induced changes in gene expression. However, more work is necessary to define which gene products positively contribute to stress tolerance and which may be considered as secondary stress metabolites or as gene regulators. It is apparent that the gene regulatory mechanisms involved are complex, but future work with more refined biochemical and genetic approaches, together with the analysis of defined mutants will greatly help to dissect the important area of desiccation perception, perhaps faciliate manipulation of desiccation tolerance in a genetic engineering context, and undoubtedly bring much progress in the coming years.