ABA Receptor Up Close Plants face a variety of environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, and cold. In the face of such stresses, the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) triggers adaptive physiological responses. Nishimura et al. (p. 1373 , published online 22 October; see the Perspective by Sussman and Phillips ) have now analyzed the crystal structure of one member of the ABA receptor family, PYR1 (pyrabactin resistance 1). The ABA molecule binds within an internal pocket of PYR1, where it probably induces a conformational change.

Structural Mechanism of Abscisic Acid Binding and Signaling by Dimeric PYR1