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Plant Cell Reports Jul 2021WRKY transcription factors are among the largest families of transcriptional regulators. In this review, their pivotal role in modulating various signal transduction... (Review)
Review
WRKY transcription factors are among the largest families of transcriptional regulators. In this review, their pivotal role in modulating various signal transduction pathways during biotic and abiotic stresses is discussed. Transcription factors (TFs) are important constituents of plant signaling pathways that define plant responses against biotic and abiotic stimuli besides playing a role in response to internal signals which coordinate different interacting partners during developmental processes. WRKY TFs, deriving their nomenclature from their signature DNA-binding sequence, represent one of the largest families of transcriptional regulators found exclusively in plants. By modulating different signal transduction pathways, these TFs contribute to various plant processes including nutrient deprivation, embryogenesis, seed and trichome development, senescence as well as other developmental and hormone-regulated processes. A growing body of research suggests transcriptional regulation of WRKY TFs in adapting plant to a variety of stressed environments. WRKY TFs can regulate diverse biological functions from receptors for pathogen triggered immunity, modulator of chromatin for specific interaction and signal transfer through a complicated network of genes. Latest discoveries illustrate the interaction of WRKY proteins with other TFs to form an integral part of signaling webs that regulate several seemingly disparate processes and defense-related genes, thus establishing their significant contributions to plant immune response. The present review starts with a brief description on the structural characteristics of WRKY TFs followed by the sections that present recent evidence on their roles in diverse biological processes in plants. We provide a comprehensive overview on regulatory crosstalks involving WRKY TFs during multiple stress responses in plants and future prospects of WRKY TFs as promising molecular diagnostics for enhancing crop improvement.
Topics: Crops, Agricultural; Multigene Family; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant Proteins; Plants; Signal Transduction; Stress, Physiological; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 33860345
DOI: 10.1007/s00299-021-02691-8 -
Annual Review of Plant Biology May 2022The Green Revolution of the 1960s improved crop yields in part through the widespread cultivation of semidwarf plant varieties, which resist lodging but require a... (Review)
Review
The Green Revolution of the 1960s improved crop yields in part through the widespread cultivation of semidwarf plant varieties, which resist lodging but require a high-nitrogen (N) fertilizer input. Because environmentally degrading synthetic fertilizer use underlies current worldwide cereal yields, future agricultural sustainability demands enhanced N use efficiency (NUE). Here, we summarize the current understanding of how plants sense, uptake, and respond to N availability in the model plants that can be used to improve sustainable productivity in agriculture. Recent progress in unlocking the genetic basis of NUE within the broader context of plant systems biology has provided insights into the coordination of plant growth and nutrient assimilation and inspired the implementation of a new breeding strategy to cut fertilizer use in high-yield cereal crops. We conclude that identifying fresh targets for N sensing and response in crops would simultaneously enable improved grain productivity and NUE to launch a new Green Revolution and promote future food security.
Topics: Agriculture; Crops, Agricultural; Edible Grain; Fertilizers; Nitrogen; Plant Breeding
PubMed: 35595292
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-070121-015752 -
Tissue Engineering. Part B, Reviews Oct 2021Skin injury is a major problem threatening human physical and mental health, and how to promote wound healing has been the focus. Developing new wound dressings is an... (Review)
Review
Skin injury is a major problem threatening human physical and mental health, and how to promote wound healing has been the focus. Developing new wound dressings is an important strategy in skin regeneration. is a medicinal plant with a long history, complex constituents, and various pharmacological activities. Many studies have shown that plays an important role in promoting wound healing. Adding to wound dressing has become an ideal way. This review will describe the process of skin injury and wound healing and analyze the role of in wound healing. In addition, the types of wound dressing and the applications of in wound dressing will be discussed.
Topics: Aloe; Bandages; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Wound Healing
PubMed: 33066720
DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2020.0236 -
Chimia Nov 2022Nematodes represent the most abundant group of metazoans on earth. They utilize diverse chemicals to interact with con-specific and hetero-specific organisms, and are... (Review)
Review
Nematodes represent the most abundant group of metazoans on earth. They utilize diverse chemicals to interact with con-specific and hetero-specific organisms, and are also impacted by compounds produced by other interacting organisms. In the first part of this review we discuss how nematode-derived glycolipids modulate their behavior and development, as well as the interactions with other organisms. Furthermore, we provide a short overview about other secondary metabolites produced by nematodes that affect different life traits of free-living nematodes. In the second part of this review we discuss how different bacteria-, nematode-, and plant-derived chemicals such as volatile organic compounds, root exudates, and plant defenses regulate the interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes, their symbiotic bacteria, insect prey, predators, and plants.
Topics: Animals; Nematoda; Ecology; Plants; Volatile Organic Compounds; Bacteria
PubMed: 38069790
DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2022.945 -
Cytometry. Part a : the Journal of the... Apr 2021Flow cytometric analysis and sorting of plant mitotic chromosomes has been mastered by only a few laboratories worldwide. Yet, it has been contributing significantly to... (Review)
Review
Flow cytometric analysis and sorting of plant mitotic chromosomes has been mastered by only a few laboratories worldwide. Yet, it has been contributing significantly to progress in plant genetics, including the production of genome assemblies and the cloning of important genes. The dissection of complex genomes by flow sorting into the individual chromosomes that represent small parts of the genome reduces DNA sample complexity and streamlines projects relying on molecular and genomic techniques. Whereas flow cytometric analysis, that is, chromosome classification according to fluorescence and light scatter properties, is an integral part of any chromosome sorting project, it has rarely been used on its own due to lower resolution and sensitivity as compared to other cytogenetic methods. To perform chromosome analysis and sorting, commercially available electrostatic droplet sorters are suitable. However, in order to resolve and purify chromosomes of interest the instrument must offer high resolution of optical signals as well as stability during long runs. The challenge is thus not the instrumentation, but the adequate sample preparation. The sample must be a suspension of intact mitotic metaphase chromosomes and the protocol, which includes the induction of cell cycle synchrony, accumulation of dividing cells at metaphase, and release of undamaged chromosomes, is time consuming and laborious and needs to be performed very carefully. Moreover, in addition to fluorescent staining chromosomal DNA, the protocol may include specific labelling of DNA repeats to facilitate discrimination of particular chromosomes. This review introduces the applications of chromosome sorting in plants, and discusses in detail sample preparation, chromosome analysis and sorting to achieve the highest purity in flow-sorted fractions, and their suitability for downstream applications.
Topics: Cell Cycle; Chromosomes, Plant; Flow Cytometry; Metaphase; Plants
PubMed: 33615737
DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24324 -
Viruses May 2021Negative-strand (-) RNA viruses (NSVs) comprise a large and diverse group of viruses that are generally divided in those with non-segmented and those with segmented... (Review)
Review
Negative-strand (-) RNA viruses (NSVs) comprise a large and diverse group of viruses that are generally divided in those with non-segmented and those with segmented genomes. Whereas most NSVs infect animals and humans, the smaller group of the plant-infecting counterparts is expanding, with many causing devastating diseases worldwide, affecting a large number of major bulk and high-value food crops. In 2018, the taxonomy of segmented NSVs faced a major reorganization with the establishment of the order . This article overviews the major plant viruses that are part of the order, i.e., orthospoviruses (), tenuiviruses (), and emaraviruses (), and provides updates on the more recent ongoing research. Features shared with the animal-infecting counterparts are mentioned, however, special attention is given to their adaptation to plant hosts and vector transmission, including intra/intercellular trafficking and viral counter defense to antiviral RNAi.
Topics: Bunyaviridae; Plant Diseases; Plant Viruses; Plants; RNA Viruses
PubMed: 34066457
DOI: 10.3390/v13050842 -
FEBS Letters Sep 2022Autophagy is a conserved degradation pathway that delivers dysfunctional cellular organelles or other cytosol components to degradative vesicular structures (vacuoles in... (Review)
Review
Autophagy is a conserved degradation pathway that delivers dysfunctional cellular organelles or other cytosol components to degradative vesicular structures (vacuoles in plants and yeasts, lysosomes in mammals) for degradation and recycling. Viruses are intracellular parasites that hijack their host to live. Research on regulation of the trade-off between plant cells and viruses has indicated that autophagy is an integral part of the host response to virus infection. Meanwhile, plants have evolved a diverse array of defense responses to counter pathogenic viruses. In this review, we focus on the roles of autophagy in plant virus infection and offer a glimpse of recent advances about how plant viruses evade autophagy or manipulate host autophagy pathways to complete their replication cycle.
Topics: Animals; Autophagy; Lysosomes; Mammals; Plant Viruses; Plants; Vacuoles; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 35404481
DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14349 -
Trends in Microbiology Apr 2022Phosphate is an essential macronutrient for fungal proliferation as well as a key mediator of antagonistic, beneficial, and pathogenic interactions between fungi and... (Review)
Review
Phosphate is an essential macronutrient for fungal proliferation as well as a key mediator of antagonistic, beneficial, and pathogenic interactions between fungi and other organisms. In this review, we summarize recent insights into the integration of phosphate metabolism with mechanisms of fungal adaptation that support growth and survival. In particular, we highlight aspects of phosphate sensing important for responses to stress and regulation of cell-surface changes with an impact on fungal pathogenesis, host immune responses, and disease outcomes. Additionally, new studies provide insights into the influence of phosphate availability on cooperative or antagonistic interactions between fungi and other microbes, the associations of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi with plants, and connections with plant immunity. Overall, phosphate homeostasis is emerging as an integral part of fungal metabolism and communication to support diverse lifestyles.
Topics: Fungi; Mycorrhizae; Phosphates; Plants
PubMed: 34479774
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.08.002 -
The New Phytologist Aug 2021Plants are systemically relevant to our planet not only by constituting a major part of its biomass, but also because they produce a vast diversity of bioactive... (Review)
Review
Plants are systemically relevant to our planet not only by constituting a major part of its biomass, but also because they produce a vast diversity of bioactive phytochemicals. These compounds often modulate interactions between plants and the environment, and can have substantial effects on plant consumers and their health. By taking a food web perspective, we highlight the role of bioactive phytochemicals in linking soils, plants, animals and humans and discuss their contributions to systems health. The analysis of connections among food web components revealed an underexplored potential of phytochemicals to optimize food web health and productivity.
Topics: Animals; Food Chain; Phytochemicals; Plants
PubMed: 33826755
DOI: 10.1111/nph.17385 -
The Plant Journal : For Cell and... Jan 2022Originally conceived as harmful metabolic byproducts, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized as an integral part of numerous cellular programs. Thanks to their... (Review)
Review
Originally conceived as harmful metabolic byproducts, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized as an integral part of numerous cellular programs. Thanks to their diverse physicochemical properties, compartmentalized production, and tight control exerted by the antioxidant machinery they activate signaling pathways that govern plant growth, development, and defense. Excessive ROS levels are often driven by adverse changes in environmental conditions, ultimately causing oxidative stress. The associated negative impact on cellular constituents have been a major focus of decade-long research efforts to improve the oxidative stress resilience by boosting the antioxidant machinery in model and crop species. We highlight the role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants as integral factors of multiple signaling cascades beyond their mere function to prevent oxidative damage under adverse abiotic stress conditions.
Topics: Antioxidants; Droughts; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plants; Reactive Oxygen Species; Signal Transduction; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 34519111
DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15493