Unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures are threatening crop production across Southern Africa. A groundbreaking discovery by a North-West University (NWU) researcher could pave the way for stronger, more resilient crops capable of withstanding harsh weather and environmental stress.
Dr Moichwanetse Tsholofelo, who recently earned her PhD in biology, led the study which identified a unique plant protein that boosts stress resistance and helps plants maintain vital internal balance during extreme conditions.
Her research focused on molecules that help plants manage water, nutrients and stress signals. "We are looking at how plants communicate internally to survive under stress. Understanding these signals means we can potentially enhance their natural defences," Dr Tsholofelo says.
The research zeroed in on a protein called AtHNOX, found in Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-eared cress), a widely studied plant species known for its genetic simplicity. Dr Tsholofelo demonstrated that this protein could produce two critical molecules, cAMP and cGMP, that are essential for helping plants cope with environmental challenges. These molecules function as messengers that regulate various processes, including water uptake, nutrient transport and stress response.
"For the first time, we have identified a plant protein that can generate both of these molecules. This dual function opens up new possibilities for crop improvement," she explains.
Specifically, AtHNOX contains two enzymes, adenylate cyclase (AC) and guanylate cyclase (GC), that give it the unique capability to enhance how plants manage stress, particularly under conditions such as drought or soil salinity.
She also tested the protein's ability to protect against salt and oxidative stress in prokaryotic expression system. The results suggest that AtHNOX could provide similar protective benefits in plants, making it a promising target for agricultural innovations aimed at climate resilience. The protective AtHNOX benefits indicated are stress responses such as drought and oxidative stress tolerance
Looking ahead, Dr Tsholofelo believes this discovery could inform new agricultural strategies to protect crops against increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. "We now have a molecular blueprint that could help plants survive environmental shocks. This is just the beginning.”
About the researcher
Dr Moichwanetse Tsholofelo was born in Borakalalo village in the North West Province and completed her schooling in Mahikeng. She holds a BSc degree in biology and chemistry and an MSc and PhD in biology from the NWU. Her research focuses on plant biochemistry and molecular biology, with a particular interest in enhancing crop resilience to climate stress.
Recent PhD graduate Dr Tsholofelo Moichwanetse’s discovery could pave the way for stronger, more resilient crops capable of withstanding harsh weather and environmental stress
