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Briefings in Functional Genomics Jul 2015As plants are sessile, they have evolved hundreds of resistance (R) genes to defend themselves against multiple pathogens. Most of plant R genes encode proteins with the... (Review)
Review
As plants are sessile, they have evolved hundreds of resistance (R) genes to defend themselves against multiple pathogens. Most of plant R genes encode proteins with the nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) domains that interact with pathogen effectors to induce defense responses. Recent findings describing R proteins structures, host interactors and transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulators have broadened our understanding of R gene activity regulation. Genome-wide analyses of NB-LRR genes are useful for identifying host and nonhost R genes and elucidating complex resistance mechanisms. This review provides an overview of the functions of identified NB-LRRs and intra- and intermolecular R gene regulators.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Genome, Plant; Plant Proteins; Plants
PubMed: 25825425
DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elv012 -
Molecular Plant Pathology Jun 2023The pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins of plants have originally been identified as proteins that are strongly induced upon biotic and abiotic stress. These proteins... (Review)
Review
The pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins of plants have originally been identified as proteins that are strongly induced upon biotic and abiotic stress. These proteins fall into 17 distinct classes (PR1-PR17). The mode of action of most of these PR proteins has been well characterized, except for PR1, which belongs to a widespread superfamily of proteins that share a common CAP domain. Proteins of this family are not only expressed in plants but also in humans and in many different pathogens, including phytopathogenic nematodes and fungi. These proteins are associated with a diverse range of physiological functions. However, their precise mode of action has remained elusive. The importance of these proteins in immune defence is illustrated by the fact that PR1 overexpression in plants results in increased resistance against pathogens. However, PR1-like CAP proteins are also produced by pathogens and deletion of these genes results in reduced virulence, suggesting that CAP proteins can exert both defensive and offensive functions. Recent progress has revealed that plant PR1 is proteolytically cleaved to release a C-terminal CAPE1 peptide, which is sufficient to activate an immune response. The release of this signalling peptide is blocked by pathogenic effectors to evade immune defence. Moreover, plant PR1 forms complexes with other PR family members, including PR5, also known as thaumatin, and PR14, a lipid transfer protein, to enhance the host's immune response. Here, we discuss possible functions of PR1 proteins and their interactors, particularly in light of the fact that these proteins can bind lipids, which have important immune signalling functions.
Topics: Humans; Proteins; Plants; Plant Diseases; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 36932700
DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13320 -
Plant Molecular Biology Aug 2017UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASES play important roles in plant development and stress responses. Protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination are reversible processes, which... (Review)
Review
UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASES play important roles in plant development and stress responses. Protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination are reversible processes, which can modulate the stability, activity as well as subcellular localization of the substrate proteins. UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASE (UBP) protein family participates in protein deubiquitination. Members of UBP family are involved in a variety of physiological processes in plants, as evidenced by their functional characterization in model plant Arabidopsis and other plants. UBPs are conserved in plants and distinct UBPs function in different regulatory processes, although functional redundancies exist between some members. Here we briefly reviewed recent advances in understanding the biological functions of UBP protein family in Arabidopsis, particularly the molecular mechanisms by which UBPs regulate plant development and stress responses. We believe that elucidation of UBPs function and regulation in Arabidopsis will provide new insights about protein deubiquitination and might shed light on the understanding of the mechanistic roles of UBPs in general, which will definitely contribute to crop improvement in agriculture.
Topics: Arabidopsis; Arabidopsis Proteins; Plant Development; Plant Proteins; Stress, Physiological; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases; Ubiquitination
PubMed: 28695315
DOI: 10.1007/s11103-017-0633-5 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2015WRKY proteins are emerging players in plant signaling and have been thoroughly reported to play important roles in plants under biotic stress like pathogen attack.... (Review)
Review
WRKY proteins are emerging players in plant signaling and have been thoroughly reported to play important roles in plants under biotic stress like pathogen attack. However, recent advances in this field do reveal the enormous significance of these proteins in eliciting responses induced by abiotic stresses. WRKY proteins act as major transcription factors, either as positive or negative regulators. Specific WRKY factors which help in the expression of a cluster of stress-responsive genes are being targeted and genetically modified to induce improved abiotic stress tolerance in plants. The knowledge regarding the signaling cascade leading to the activation of the WRKY proteins, their interaction with other proteins of the signaling pathway, and the downstream genes activated by them are altogether vital for justified targeting of the WRKY genes. WRKY proteins have also been considered to generate tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses with possible roles in mediating a cross talk between abiotic and biotic stress responses. In this review, we have reckoned the diverse signaling pattern and biological functions of WRKY proteins throughout the plant kingdom along with the growing prospects in this field of research.
Topics: Arabidopsis Proteins; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Plants; Signal Transduction; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 25879071
DOI: 10.1155/2015/807560 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2019Plants have evolved strategies to tightly regulate metabolism during acclimation to a changing environment. Low temperature significantly constrains distribution, growth... (Review)
Review
Plants have evolved strategies to tightly regulate metabolism during acclimation to a changing environment. Low temperature significantly constrains distribution, growth and yield of many temperate plant species. Exposing plants to low but non-freezing temperature induces a multigenic processes termed cold acclimation, which eventually results in an increased freezing tolerance. Cold acclimation comprises reprogramming of the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome and affects communication and signaling between subcellular organelles. Carbohydrates play a central role in this metabolic reprogramming. This review summarizes current knowledge about the role of carbohydrate metabolism in plant cold acclimation with a focus on subcellular metabolic reprogramming, its thermodynamic constraints under low temperature and mathematical modelling of metabolism.
Topics: Acclimatization; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Cold Temperature; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Metabolome; Models, Theoretical; Plant Proteins; Plants
PubMed: 31671650
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215411 -
Journal of Experimental Botany Feb 2016Stress signalling and regulatory networks controlling expression of target genes are the basis of plant response to drought. Roots are the first organs exposed to water... (Review)
Review
Stress signalling and regulatory networks controlling expression of target genes are the basis of plant response to drought. Roots are the first organs exposed to water deficiency in the soil and are the place of drought sensing. Signalling cascades transfer chemical signals toward the shoot and initiate molecular responses that lead to the biochemical and morphological changes that allow plants to be protected against water loss and to tolerate stress conditions. Here, we present an overview of signalling network and gene expression regulation pathways that are actively induced in roots under drought stress. In particular, the role of several transcription factor (TF) families, including DREB, AP2/ERF, NAC, bZIP, MYC, CAMTA, Alfin-like and Q-type ZFP, in the regulation of root response to drought are highlighted. The information provided includes available data on mutual interactions between these TFs together with their regulation by plant hormones and other signalling molecules. The most significant downstream target genes and molecular processes that are controlled by the regulatory factors are given. These data are also coupled with information about the influence of the described regulatory networks on root traits and root development which may translate to enhanced drought tolerance. This is the first literature survey demonstrating the gene expression regulatory machinery that is induced by drought stress, presented from the perspective of roots.
Topics: Droughts; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Plant Roots; Plants
PubMed: 26663562
DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv512 -
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics Jul 2019Plant NLRs share many of the structural hallmarks of their animal counterparts. At a functional level, the central nucleotide-binding pocket appears to have binding and... (Review)
Review
Plant NLRs share many of the structural hallmarks of their animal counterparts. At a functional level, the central nucleotide-binding pocket appears to have binding and hydrolysis activities, similar to that of animal NLRs. The TIR domains of plant NLRs have been shown to self-associate, and there is emerging evidence that full-length plant NLRs may do so as well. It is therefore tempting to speculate that plant NLRs may form higher-order complexes similar to those of the mammalian inflammasome. Here we review the available knowledge on structure-function relationships in plant NLRs, focusing on how the information available on animal NLRs informs the mechanism of plant NLR function, and highlight the evidence that innate immunity signalling pathways in multicellular organisms often require the formation of higher-order protein complexes.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Humans; NLR Proteins; Plant Proteins; Plants; Protein Domains; Protein Multimerization
PubMed: 31071301
DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.05.001 -
Plant, Cell & Environment Jun 2021Salicylic acid (SA) plays pivotal role in plant defense against biotrophic and hemibiotrophic pathogens. Tremendous progress has been made in the field of SA... (Review)
Review
Salicylic acid (SA) plays pivotal role in plant defense against biotrophic and hemibiotrophic pathogens. Tremendous progress has been made in the field of SA biosynthesis and SA signaling pathways over the past three decades. Among the key immune players in SA signaling pathway, NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES1 (NPR1) functions as a master regulator of SA-mediated plant defense. The function of NPR1 as an SA receptor has been controversial; however, after years of arguments among several laboratories, NPR1 has finally been proven as one of the SA receptors. The function of NPR1 is strictly regulated via post-translational modifications and transcriptional regulation that were recently found. More recent advances in NPR1 biology, including novel functions of NPR1 and the structure of SA receptor proteins, have brought this field forward immensely. Therefore, based on these recent discoveries, this review acts to provide a full picture of how NPR1 functions in plant immunity and how NPR1 gene and NPR1 protein are regulated at multiple levels. Finally, we also discuss potential challenges in future studies of SA signaling pathway.
Topics: Arabidopsis Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Phosphorylation; Plant Immunity; Plant Proteins; Salicylic Acid; Sumoylation; Ubiquitination
PubMed: 33495996
DOI: 10.1111/pce.14003 -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Feb 2018Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant cation in plants, and, as such, is involved in numerous physiological and biochemical processes, including photosynthesis,... (Review)
Review
Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant cation in plants, and, as such, is involved in numerous physiological and biochemical processes, including photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. Due to its relatively small ionic radius and large hydrated radius, Mg binds weakly to soil and root surfaces, and thereby is easily leached from soil. Mg deficiency not only affects crop productivity and quality, but also contributes to numerous chronic human diseases. Therefore, Mg nutrition in plants is an important issue in nutrition and food security. To acquire and maintain high concentrations of Mg, plants have evolved highly-efficient systems for Mg uptake, storage and translocation. Advances in the understanding of fundamental principles of Mg nutrition and physiology are required in order to improve Mg nutrient management, Mg stress diagnosis, and genetic marker assisted breeding efforts. The aims of this review are to highlight physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying Mg biological functions and to summarize recent developments in the elucidation of Mg transport systems in plants.
Topics: Biological Transport; Magnesium; Plant Proteins; Plants
PubMed: 28822768
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.005 -
Current Protein & Peptide Science 2019The success of gene and cell therapy in clinic during the past two decades as well as our expanding ability to manipulate these biomaterials are leading to new... (Review)
Review
The success of gene and cell therapy in clinic during the past two decades as well as our expanding ability to manipulate these biomaterials are leading to new therapeutic options for a wide range of inherited and acquired diseases. Combining conventional therapies with this emerging field is a promising strategy to treat those previously-thought untreatable diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved for thousands of years in China and still plays an important role in human health. As part of the active ingredients of TCM, proteins and peptides have attracted long-term enthusiasm of researchers. More recently, they have been utilized in gene and cell therapy, resulting in promising novel strategies to treat both cancer and non-cancer diseases. This manuscript presents a critical review on this field, accompanied with perspectives on the challenges and new directions for future research in this emerging frontier.
Topics: Animals; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Peptides; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 29895243
DOI: 10.2174/1389203719666180612082432