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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 -
Essays in Biochemistry Sep 2022Transcriptional reprogramming is an integral part of plant immunity. Tight regulation of the immune transcriptome is essential for a proper response of plants to... (Review)
Review
Transcriptional reprogramming is an integral part of plant immunity. Tight regulation of the immune transcriptome is essential for a proper response of plants to different types of pathogens. Consequently, transcriptional regulators are proven targets of pathogens to enhance their virulence. The plant immune transcriptome is regulated by many different, interconnected mechanisms that can determine the rate at which genes are transcribed. These include intracellular calcium signaling, modulation of the redox state, post-translational modifications of transcriptional regulators, histone modifications, DNA methylation, modulation of RNA polymerases, alternative transcription inititation, the Mediator complex and regulation by non-coding RNAs. In addition, on their journey from transcription to translation, mRNAs are further modulated through mechanisms such as nuclear RNA retention, storage of mRNA in stress granules and P-bodies, and post-transcriptional gene silencing. In this review, we highlight the latest insights into these mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss some emerging technologies that promise to greatly enhance our understanding of the regulation of the plant immune transcriptome in the future.
Topics: DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Immunity, Innate; Mediator Complex; Plant Immunity; Plants; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Nuclear; RNA, Plant; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 35726519
DOI: 10.1042/EBC20210100 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Feb 2022Mechanical forces were arguably among the first stimuli to be perceived by cells, and they continue to shape the evolution of all organisms. Great strides have been made... (Review)
Review
Mechanical forces were arguably among the first stimuli to be perceived by cells, and they continue to shape the evolution of all organisms. Great strides have been made in recent years in the field of plant cell and molecular mechanobiology, in part owing to focused efforts on key model systems. Here, we propose to enrich such work through evolutionary mechanobiology, or 'evo-mechano', and describe three major themes that could drive research in this area. We use plastid evo-mechano as a case study, describing how plastids from different lineages perceive their mechanical environments, how their mechanical properties vary across lineages, and their distinct roles in graviperception. Finally, we argue that future research into the biomechanical properties and mechanobiological signaling mechanisms that have been elaborated by green species over the past 1.5 billion years will help us understand both the universal and the unique adaptations of plants to their physical environment.
Topics: Biophysics; Models, Biological; Plant Cells; Plants; Plastids
PubMed: 34628340
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102112 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... May 2022Plants have characteristic features that affect the expression of sexual function, notably the existence of a haploid organism in the life cycle, and in their... (Review)
Review
Plants have characteristic features that affect the expression of sexual function, notably the existence of a haploid organism in the life cycle, and in their development, which is modular, iterative and environmentally reactive. For instance, primary selection (the first filtering of the products of meiosis) is via gametes in diplontic animals, but via gametophyte organisms in plants. Intragametophytic selfing produces double haploid sporophytes which is in effect a form of clonal reproduction mediated by sexual mechanisms. In homosporous plants, the diploid sporophyte is sexless, sex being only expressed in the haploid gametophyte. However, in seed plants, the timing and location of gamete production is determined by the sporophyte, which therefore has a sexual role, and in dioecious plants has genetic sex, while the seed plant gametophyte has lost genetic sex. This evolutionary transition is one that E.J.H. Corner called 'the transference of sexuality'. The iterative development characteristic of plants can lead to a wide variety of patterns in the distribution of sexual function, and in dioecious plants poor canalization of reproductive development can lead to intrasexual mating and the production of YY supermales or WW superfemales. Finally, plant modes of asexual reproduction (agamospermy/apogamy) are also distinctive by subverting gametophytic processes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sex determination and sex chromosome evolution in land plants'.
Topics: Animals; Diploidy; Germ Cells, Plant; Plants; Reproduction
PubMed: 35306890
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0213 -
Plant & Cell Physiology Dec 2020Gibberellin (GA) hormones regulate the development of plants and their responses to environmental signals. The final part of GA biosynthesis is catalyzed by... (Review)
Review
Gibberellin (GA) hormones regulate the development of plants and their responses to environmental signals. The final part of GA biosynthesis is catalyzed by multifunctional 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, which are encoded by multigene families. According to their enzymatic properties and physiological functions, GA-oxidases are classified as anabolic or catabolic enzymes. Together they allow complex regulation of the GA biosynthetic pathway, which adapts the specific hormonal needs of a plant during development and interaction with its environment. In this review, we combine recent advances in enzymatic characterization of the multifunctional GA-oxidases, in particular, from cucumber and Arabidopsis that have been most comprehensively investigated.
Topics: Dioxygenases; Gibberellins; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Proteins; Plants
PubMed: 32343806
DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcaa051 -
Natural Product Reports Feb 2022Covering: through June 2021Terpenoids are the largest class of natural products recognised to date. While mostly known to humans as bioactive plant metabolites and part... (Review)
Review
Covering: through June 2021Terpenoids are the largest class of natural products recognised to date. While mostly known to humans as bioactive plant metabolites and part of essential oils, structurally diverse terpenoids are increasingly reported to be produced by microorganisms. For many of the compounds biological functions are yet unknown, but during the past years significant insights have been obtained for the role of terpenoids in microbial chemical ecology. Their functions include stress alleviation, maintenance of cell membrane integrity, photoprotection, attraction or repulsion of organisms, host growth promotion and defense. In this review we discuss the current knowledge of the biosynthesis and evolution of microbial terpenoids, and their ecological and biological roles in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Perspectives on their biotechnological applications, knowledge gaps and questions for future studies are discussed.
Topics: Biological Products; Ecology; Humans; Plants; Terpenes
PubMed: 34612321
DOI: 10.1039/d1np00047k -
Enzyme and Microbial Technology Sep 2022Chitinases are present in diverse form of organisms from bacteria, fungi, insects, plants. Plant chitinases are part of pathogenesis-related proteins. When plant (host)... (Review)
Review
Chitinases are present in diverse form of organisms from bacteria, fungi, insects, plants. Plant chitinases are part of pathogenesis-related proteins. When plant (host) cells are under pathogen stress, plant chitinases are strongly expressed and hence plant chitinases play a critical part against fungal pathogens. Chitinases are also found to be involved in various abiotic stress responses like wounding, osmotic pressure, cold, heavy metal stress, salt in plants. Understanding of the plant chitinases will provide an insight for improving the pathogenic activity of various potential biocontrol strains and to develop novel pathogen resistant strategies for exploring their roles with regards to plant defense. The present review covers the detailed account of potential and relevance of plant chitinases for controlling pathogens infection in plant and prospecting to improve plant defense, growth and yield.
Topics: Chitinases; Osmotic Pressure; Plant Diseases; Plant Proteins; Plants; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 35537378
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2022.110055 -
The Biochemical Journal Jul 2019Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles that compartmentalize nonbilayer-forming lipids in the aqueous cytoplasm of cells. They are ubiquitous in most organisms, including... (Review)
Review
Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles that compartmentalize nonbilayer-forming lipids in the aqueous cytoplasm of cells. They are ubiquitous in most organisms, including in animals, protists, plants and microorganisms. In eukaryotes, LDs are believed to be derived by a budding and scission process from the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum, and this occurs concomitantly with the accumulation of neutral lipids, most often triacylglycerols and steryl esters. Overall, the mechanisms underlying LD biogenesis are difficult to generalize, in part because of the involvement of different sets of both evolutionarily conserved and organism-specific LD-packaging proteins. Here, we briefly compare and contrast these proteins and the allied processes responsible for LD biogenesis in cells of animals, yeasts and plants.
Topics: Animals; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Humans; Lipid Droplets; Plants; Triglycerides; Yeasts
PubMed: 31289128
DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20180021 -
Plant Signaling & Behavior Dec 2023Sulfur is one of the essential nutrients that is required for the adequate growth and development of plants. Sulfur is a structural component of protein disulfide bonds,... (Review)
Review
Sulfur is one of the essential nutrients that is required for the adequate growth and development of plants. Sulfur is a structural component of protein disulfide bonds, amino acids, vitamins, and cofactors. Most of the sulfur in soil is present in organic matter and hence not accessible to the plants. Anionic form of sulfur (SO) is the primary source of sulfur for plants that are generally present in minimal amounts in the soil. It is water-soluble, so readily leaches out of the soil. Sulfur and sulfur-containing compounds act as signaling molecules in stress management as well as normal metabolic processes. They also take part in crosstalk of complex signaling network as a mediator molecule. Plants uptake sulfate directly from the soil by using their dedicated sulfate transporters. In addition, plants also use the sulfur transporter of a symbiotically associated organism like bacteria and fungi to uptake sulfur from the soil especially under sulfur depleted conditions. So, sulfur is a very important component of plant metabolism and its analysis with different dimensions is highly required to improve the overall well-being of plants, and dependent animals as well as human beings. The deficiency of sulfur leads to stunted growth of plants and ultimately loss of yield. In this review, we have focused on sulfur nutrition, uptake, transport, and inter-organismic transfer to host plants. Given the strong potential for agricultural use of sulfur sources and their applications, we cover what is known about sulfur impact on the plant health. We identify opportunities to expand our understanding of how the application of soil microbes like AMF or other root endophytic fungi affects plant sulfur uptake and in turn plant growth and development.
Topics: Humans; Plants; Sulfur; Sulfates; Soil; Growth and Development
PubMed: 35129079
DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2022.2030082 -
Current Biology : CB Apr 2023Cellulose is the chief constituent of the plant cell wall and therefore is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. However, cellulose synthesis is not limited to the...
Cellulose is the chief constituent of the plant cell wall and therefore is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. However, cellulose synthesis is not limited to the plant kingdom: it is also found in a wide variety of bacteria, as well as in oomycetes, algae, slime mold, and urochordates, which are the only animals that synthesize cellulose. Nevertheless, cellulose synthesis has been mainly studied in plants and bacteria. In plants, cellulose confers mechanical support and protection against environmental stresses, and guides anisotropic cell growth. In bacteria, cellulose secretion is associated with biofilm formation, which protects cells from stresses or host immune responses and allows for community synergy in colonizing surfaces and capturing nutrients. In the context of our society, cellulose is an important part of woody plant biomass and is thus a renewable resource crucial for many industries, whereas bacterial cellulose is used for a plethora of biomedical and bioengineering applications. In addition, biofilms can reduce the susceptibility of bacteria to antibacterial agents and thus increase infection risk; understanding the molecular mechanism behind cellulose synthesis and biofilm formation is therefore of prime importance.In this primer, we aim to highlight the main differences as well as the common features of the molecular mechanism shared by the many species synthesizing cellulose across kingdoms.
Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Cellulose; Plants; Cell Membrane; Cell Wall; Bacteria
PubMed: 37040702
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.044