REGULATION OF GENE-EXPRESSION BY ENDOGENOUS ABA IN TOMATO PLANTS

In response to water deficit, endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) accumulat es in plants. This ABA serves as a signal for a multitude of processes , including regulation of gene expression. ABA accumulated in response to water deficit signals cellular as well as whole plant responses pl aying a role in the pattern of gene expression throughout the plant. A lthough the function of genes regulated by ABA during stress are curre ntly poorly understood, a number of these genes may permit the plant t o adapt to environmental stress.