"Thermometer" protein regulates blooming (IMAGE) CNRS Caption Left: Evening Complex (EC) attached to DNA. Right: LUX protein bound to DNA double helix. EC acts like a temperature sensor. At low temperatures, it prevents the expression of growth genes by binding to the DNA. When temperatures are high enough, it separates from the DNA, permitting gene expression and subsequent plant flowering. Credit © Silva et al. / PNAS Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.