"We're very excited by the findings," says Scripps Research Professor Elizabeth Getzoff (center), shown here with co-authors (left to right) Noriyuki Nishimura and Julian Schroeder of UC San Diego and Andrew Arvai and Kenichi Hitomi of Scripps Research. Getzoff is holding a 3-D model of the hormone-bound protein structure reported in the paper. Click to enlarge. Photo and 3-D model by Michael E. Pique.

The new study reveals the structure of the protein (colored ribbons) and bound hormone (purple and red balls) responsible for inducing drought tolerance in plants. The new study reveals the structure of the protein (colored ribbons) and bound hormone (purple and red balls) responsible for inducing drought tolerance in plants. (Image by Kenichi Hitomi.)