NAC转录因子在植物抗病和抗非生物胁迫反应中的作用

NAC转录因子是植物特有的一类转录因子,其共同特点是在N端含有一段高度保守、由约150个氨基酸组成的NAC结构域,而C端为高度变异的转录调控区。研究表明,NAC转录因子不仅参与植物生长发育的调控,而且在植物抗逆反应中具有重要的调控作用。文章着重介绍NAC转录因子在植物抗逆反应中的作用及其调控机制,并简要讨论NAC转录因子生物学功能的研究方向。     

植物MYB转录因子与非生物胁迫响应研究

MYB转录因子家族是植物中最大的转录因子家族之一,在植物体内的多种生理生化反应中起着关键性作用,其中一项重要功能就是对非生物逆境的应答。这类转录因子通过调控生长发育,影响代谢产物的合成和影响激素信号等多方面参与非生物逆境的应答。介绍了MYB转录因子的结构特点和分类上的新发现,并综述了近几年MYB转录因子家族在植物响应干旱、高温、低温和高盐等非生物胁迫方面的研究进展。     

Epigenetic regulation in plant abiotic stress responses

In eukaryotic cells, gene expression is greatly influenced by the dynamic chromatin environment. Epigenetic mechanisms, including covalent modifications to DNA and histone tails and the accessibility of chromatin, create various chromatin states for stress‐responsive gene expression that is important for adaptation to harsh environmental conditions. Recent studies have revealed that many epigenetic factors participate in abiotic stress responses, and various chromatin modifications are changed when plants are exposed to stressful environments. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the cross‐talk between abiotic stress response pathways and epigenetic regulatory pathways in plants. Our review focuses on epigenetic regulation of plant responses to extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, the stress hormone abscisic acid, nutrient limitations and ultraviolet stress, and on epigenetic mechanisms of stress memory.     

Lipid signalling in plant responses to abiotic stress

Lipids are one of the major components of biological membranes including the plasma membrane, which is the interface between the cell and the environment. It has become clear that membrane lipids also serve as substrates for the generation of numerous signalling lipids such as phosphatidic acid, phosphoinositides, sphingolipids, lysophospholipids, oxylipins, N‐acylethanolamines, free fatty acids and others. The enzymatic production and metabolism of these signalling molecules are tightly regulated and can rapidly be activated upon abiotic stress signals. Abiotic stress like water deficit and temperature stress triggers lipid‐dependent signalling cascades, which control the expression of gene clusters and activate plant adaptation processes. Signalling lipids are able to recruit protein targets transiently to the membrane and thus affect conformation and activity of intracellular proteins and metabolites. In plants, knowledge is still scarce of lipid signalling targets and their physiological consequences. This review focuses on the generation of signalling lipids and their involvement in response to abiotic stress. We describe lipid‐binding proteins in the context of changing environmental conditions and compare different approaches to determine lipid–protein interactions, crucial for deciphering the signalling cascades.     

Chromatin modifications and remodeling in plant abiotic stress responses

Sensing environmental changes and initiating a gene expression response are important for plants as sessile autotrophs. The ability of epigenetic status to alter rapidly and reversibly could be a key component to the flexibility of plant responses to the environment. The involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the response to environmental cues and to different types of abiotic stresses has been documented. Different environmental stresses lead to altered methylation status of DNA as well as modifications of nucleosomal histones. Understanding how epigenetic mechanisms are involved in plant response to environmental stress is highly desirable, not just for a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of plant stress response but also for possible application in the genetic manipulation of plants. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms of chromatin modifications and remodeling, with emphasis on the roles of specific modification enzymes and remodeling factors in plant abiotic stress responses. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant gene regulation in response to abiotic stress.     

The roles of endomembrane trafficking in plant abiotic stress responses

Endomembrane trafficking is a fundamental cellular process in all eukaryotic cells and its regulatory mechanisms have been extensively studied.In plants,the endomembrane trafficking system needs to be constantly adjusted to adapt to the ever-changing environment.Evidence has accumulated supporting the idea that endomembrane trafficking is tightly linked to stress signaling pathways to meet the demands of rapid changes in cellular processes and to ensure the correct delivery of stress-related cargo molecules.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.In this review,we summarize the recent findings on the functional roles of both secretory trafficking and endocytic trafficking in different types of abiotic stresses.We also highlight and discuss the unique properties of specific regulatory molecules beyond their conventional functions in endosomal trafficking during plant growth under stress conditions.