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Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2022) | Viewed by 48204

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tomasz Hura

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Polish Academy of Sciences, The Franciszek Górski Institute of Plant Physiology, Niezapominajek 21, 30-239 Kraków, Poland
Interests: abiotic stress; water stress and rehydration; plant stress physiology; plant molecular biology; cereals; invasive plants; photosynthetic apparatus; plant phenolics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Hura

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Department of Plant Breeding, Physiology and Seed Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, Agricultural University, ul. Podużna 3, 30-239 Kraków, Poland
Interests: abiotic and biotic stress; plant stress physiology; plant molecular biology; primary and secondary metabolism; reactive oxygen species; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Agnieszka Ostrowska

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The Franciszek Górski Institute of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 21, 30-239 Kraków, Poland
Interests: plant senescence; water stress; drought; waterlogging; plant phenolics; gas exchange; photosynthetic apparatus; cereal; plant growth regulators; gene expression
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that limit the growth and productivity of plants all over the world. Rapid climate changes mean that, now more than ever, we need to understand how plants are able to withstand extreme drought conditions. The study of physiological and molecular mechanisms of plant responses to drought stress as well as the search for tolerant crop varieties are the most important challenge in plant biology today.

The complexity of plant response to drought stress can be affected by several factors, including the duration and intensity of stress, the plant genotype, and the developmental stages. Many genes, transcription factors, transcripts, proteins, metabolites, enzymes, and others are associated with tolerance to drought stress. Scientists discover new genes and exciting molecular processes involved in drought tolerance, but our knowledge is still far from complete. Therefore, the understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to drought stress represent an important goal for plant stability under future climate change conditions.

This Special Issue of IJMS aims to expose the whole picture of drought-stress induced changes, and especially those focused on the molecular and physiological aspects. Authors are invited to submit original research papers, communications, and reviews exploring different aspects of this topic.

Dr. Tomasz Hura
Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Hura
Dr. Agnieszka Ostrowska
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Drought stress
Water stress
Signal transduction
Genes, transcripts, and proteins
Primary and secondary metabolism
Phytohormones
Antioxidants
Reactive oxygen species
Photosynthetic apparatus
Photosynthesis

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

5 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants

by Tomasz Hura, Katarzyna Hura and Agnieszka Ostrowska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4698; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23094698 - 24 Apr 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3019

Abstract

Soil drought is one of the major abiotic stresses that inhibits the growth, development, and yield of crops all over the world [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

21 pages, 10202 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Homologous Drought-Induced 19 Proteins, PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7, Enhance Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Plants

by Caijuan Wu, Miao Lin, Feng Chen, Jun Chen, Shifan Liu, Hanwei Yan and Yan Xiang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063371 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2216 | Correction

Abstract

Drought-induced 19 (Di19) proteins play important roles in abiotic stress responses. Thus far, there are no reports about Di19 family in woody plants. Here, eight Di19 genes were identified in poplar. We analyzed phylogenetic tree, conserved protein domain, and gene structure of Di19 gene members in seven species. The results showed the Di19 gene family was very conservative in both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous forms. On the basis of transcriptome data, the expression patterns of Di19s in poplar under abiotic stress and ABA treatment were further studied. Subsequently, homologous genes PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 with strong response to drought stress were identified. PtDi19-2 functions as a nuclear transcriptional activator with a transactivation domain at the C-terminus. PtDi19-7 is a nuclear and membrane localization protein. Additionally, PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 were able to interact with each other in yeast two-hybrid system. Overexpression of PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 in Arabidopsis was found. Phenotype identification and physiological parameter analysis showed that transgenic Arabidopsis increased ABA sensitivity and drought tolerance. PtDi19-7 was overexpressed in hybrid poplar 84K (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa). Under drought treatment, the phenotype and physiological parameters of transgenic poplar were consistent with those of transgenic Arabidopsis. In addition, exogenous ABA treatment induced lateral bud dormancy of transgenic poplar and stomatal closure of transgenic Arabidopsis. The expression of ABA/drought-related marker genes was upregulated under drought treatment. These results indicated that PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 might play a similar role in improving the drought tolerance of transgenic plants through ABA-dependent signaling pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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25 pages, 3249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Remodeling of Cell Wall Components in Root Nodules and Flower Abscission Zone under Drought in Yellow Lupine

by Emilia Wilmowicz, Agata Kućko, Juan De Dios Alché, Grażyna Czeszewska-Rosiak, Aleksandra Bogumiła Florkiewicz, Małgorzata Kapusta and Jacek Karwaszewski

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1680; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031680 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3038

Abstract

We recently showed that yellow lupine is highly sensitive to soil water deficits since this stressor disrupts nodule structure and functioning, and at the same time triggers flower separation through abscission zone (AZ) activation in the upper part of the plant. Both processes require specific transformations including cell wall remodeling. However, knowledge about the involvement of particular cell wall elements in nodulation and abscission in agronomically important, nitrogen-fixing crops, especially under stressful conditions, is still scarce. Here, we used immuno-fluorescence techniques to visualize dynamic changes in cell wall compounds taking place in the root nodules and flower AZ of Lupinus luteus following drought. The reaction of nodules and the flower AZ to drought includes the upregulation of extensins, galactans, arabinans, xylogalacturonan, and xyloglucans. Additionally, modifications in the localization of high- and low-methylated homogalacturonans and arabinogalactan proteins were detected in nodules. Collectively, we determined for the first time the drought-associated modification of cell wall components responsible for their remodeling in root nodules and the flower AZ of L. luteus. The involvement of these particular molecules and their possible interaction in response to stress is also deeply discussed herein. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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18 pages, 5048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Multiple Genes and Complex Hormonal-Mediated Interactions with PEG during Adventitious Root Formation in Apple

by Shaohuan Li, Muhammad Mobeen Tahir, Tong Wu, Lingling Xie, Xiaoyun Zhang, Jiangping Mao, Anam Ayyoub, Libo Xing, Dong Zhang and Yun Shao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020976 - 17 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2423

Abstract

Adventitious root (AR) formation is a bottleneck for the mass propagation of apple rootstocks, and water stress severely restricts it. Different hormones and sugar signaling pathways in apple clones determine AR formation under water stress, but these are not entirely understood. To identify them, GL-3 stem cuttings were cultured on polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. The AR formation was dramatically decreased compared with the PEG-free control (CK) cuttings by increasing the endogenous contents of abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin riboside (ZR), and methyl jasmonate (JA-me) and reducing the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) contents. We performed a transcriptomic analysis to identify the responses behind the phenotype. A total of 3204 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between CK and PEG, with 1702 upregulated and 1502 downregulated genes. Investigation revealed that approximately 312 DEGs were strongly enriched in hormone signaling, sugar metabolism, root development, and cell cycle-related pathways. Thus, they were selected for their possible involvement in adventitious rooting. However, the higher accumulation of ABA, ZR, and JA-me contents and the upregulation of their related genes, as well as the downregulation of sugar metabolism-related genes, lead to the inhibition of ARs. These results indicate that AR formation is a complicated biological process chiefly influenced by multiple hormonal signaling pathways and sugar metabolism. This is the first study to demonstrate how PEG inhibits AR formation in apple plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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26 pages, 4163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic, Metabolomic and Ionomic Analyses Reveal Early Modulation of Leaf Mineral Content in Brassica napus under Mild or Severe Drought

by Aurélien D’Oria, Lun Jing, Mustapha Arkoun, Sylvain Pluchon, Stéphanie Pateyron, Jacques Trouverie, Philippe Etienne, Sylvain Diquélou and Alain Ourry

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020781 - 11 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2072

Abstract

While it is generally acknowledged that drought is one of the main abiotic factors affecting plant growth, how mineral nutrition is specifically and negatively affected by water deficit has received very little attention, other than being analyzed as a consequence of reduced growth. Therefore, Brassica napus plants were subjected to a gradual onset of water deficits (mild, severe, or severe extended), and leaves were analyzed at the ionomic, transcriptomic and metabolic levels. The number of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and of the most differentially accumulated metabolites increased from mild (525 DEGs, 57 metabolites) to severe (5454 DEGs, 78 metabolites) and severe extended (9346 DEGs, 95 metabolites) water deficit. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of the 11,747 DEGs identified revealed that ion transport was one of the most significant processes affected, even under mild water deficit, and this was also confirmed by the shift in ionomic composition (mostly micronutrients with a strong decrease in Mo, Fe, Zn, and Mn in leaves) that occurred well before growth reduction. The metabolomic data and most of the transcriptomic data suggested that well-known early leaf responses to drought such as phytohormone metabolism (ABA and JA), proline accumulation, and oxidative stress defense were induced later than repression of genes related to nutrient transport. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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16 pages, 2658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expression of Specific Alleles of Zinc-Finger Transcription Factors, HvSAP8 and HvSAP16, and Corresponding SNP Markers, Are Associated with Drought Tolerance in Barley Populations

by Akmaral Baidyussen, Satyvaldy Jatayev, Gulmira Khassanova, Bekzak Amantayev, Grigory Sereda, Sergey Sereda, Narendra K. Gupta, Sunita Gupta, Carly Schramm, Peter Anderson, Colin L. D. Jenkins, Kathleen L. Soole, Peter Langridge and Yuri Shavrukov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(22), 12156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212156 - 10 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2005

Abstract

Two genes, HvSAP8 and HvSAP16, encoding Zinc-finger proteins, were identified earlier as active in barley plants. Based on bioinformatics and sequencing analysis, six SNPs were found in the promoter regions of HvSAP8 and one in HvSAP16, among parents of two barley segregating populations, Granal × Baisheshek and Natali × Auksiniai-2. ASQ and Amplifluor markers were developed for HvSAP8 and HvSAP16, one SNP in each gene, and in each of two populations, showing simple Mendelian segregation. Plants of F₆ selected breeding lines and parents were evaluated in a soil-based drought screen, revealing differential expression of HvSAP8 and HvSAP16 corresponding with the stress. After almost doubling expression during the early stages of stress, HvSAP8 returned to pre-stress level or was strongly down-regulated in plants with Granal or Baisheshek genotypes, respectively. For HvSAP16 under drought conditions, a high expression level was followed by either a return to original levels or strong down-regulation in plants with Natali or Auksiniai-2 genotypes, respectively. Grain yield in the same breeding lines and parents grown under moderate drought was strongly associated with their HvSAP8 and HvSAP16 genotypes. Additionally, Granal and Natali genotypes with specific alleles at HvSAP8 and HvSAP16 were associated with improved performance under drought via higher 1000 grain weight and more shoots per plant, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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16 pages, 15316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responses of Sphagneticola trilobata, Sphagneticola calendulacea and Their Hybrid to Drought Stress

by Qilei Zhang, Jundong Huang, Weiqian Ke, Minling Cai, Guangxin Chen and Changlian Peng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 11288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011288 - 19 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1846

Abstract

Sphagneticola trilobata is an invasive plant in South China. A hybrid between S. trilobata and Sphagneticola calendulacea (a native related species) has also been found in South China. The drought resistance of S. calendulacea, S. trilobata and their hybrid was studied in this paper. Under drought stress, the leaves of S. trilobata synthesized more abscisic acid (ABA) than those of the other species to reduce stomatal opening and water loss. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were the highest in S. trilobata and the lowest in S. calendulacea. The leaves of S. calendulacea suffered the most serious damage, and their maximum photochemical efficiency was the lowest. RNA-sequencing ware used to analyze the expression levels of genes in ABA, antioxidant enzyme, sugar and proline synthesis and photosynthesis pathways. Further real-time PCR detection verified the RNA-sequence results, and the results were in accordance with the physiological data. The results showed that S. trilobata was the most drought tolerant, and the drought tolerance of the hybrid did not show heterosis but was higher than S. calendulacea. Therefore, compared with S. trilobata and the hybrid, the population number and distribution of S. calendulacea may be less in arid areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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13 pages, 2876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Characterization of the Stipa purpurea P5CS Gene under Drought Stress Conditions

by Danni Yang, Ruize Ni, Shihai Yang, Yanan Pu, Min Qian, Yunqiang Yang and Yongping Yang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9599; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179599 - 04 Sep 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2329

Abstract

Free proline has multiple functions in plant cells, such as regulating osmotic potential and protecting both proteins and cell membranes. The expression of Δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), a key enzyme in the proline biosynthetic pathway, increases under drought, salt and cold stress conditions, causing plant cells to accumulate large amounts of proline. In this study, we cloned and identified the P5CS gene from Stipa purpurea, which has a full-length of 2196 bp and encodes 731 amino acids. A subcellular localization analysis indicated that SpP5CS localized to the cytoplasm. The ectopic overexpression of SpP5CS in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in higher proline contents, longer roots, higher survival rates and less membrane damage under drought stress conditions compared with wild-type controls. SpP5CS-overexpressing A. thaliana was more resistant to drought stress than the wild type, whereas the deletion mutant sp5cs was less resistant to drought stress. Thus, SpP5CS may be a potential candidate target gene for increasing plant resistance to drought stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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20 pages, 4158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overexpression of OsERF83, a Vascular Tissue-Specific Transcription Factor Gene, Confers Drought Tolerance in Rice

by Se Eun Jung, Seung Woon Bang, Sung Hwan Kim, Jun Sung Seo, Ho-Bin Yoon, Youn Shic Kim and Ju-Kon Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(14), 7656; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147656 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3913

Abstract

Abiotic stresses severely affect plant growth and productivity. To cope with abiotic stresses, plants have evolved tolerance mechanisms that are tightly regulated by reprogramming transcription factors (TFs). APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are known to play an important role in various abiotic stresses. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms remains incomplete. In this study, we identified the role of OsERF83, a member of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family, in response to drought stress. OsERF83 is a transcription factor localized to the nucleus and induced in response to various abiotic stresses, such as drought and abscisic acid (ABA). Overexpression of OsERF83 in transgenic plants (OsERF83^OX) significantly increased drought tolerance, with higher photochemical efficiency in rice. OsERF83^OX was also associated with growth retardation, with reduced grain yields under normal growth conditions. OsERF83 is predominantly expressed in the vascular tissue of all organs. Transcriptome analysis revealed that OsERF83 regulates drought response genes, which are related to the transporter (OsNPF8.10, OsNPF8.17, OsLH1), lignin biosynthesis (OsLAC17, OsLAC10, CAD8D), terpenoid synthesis (OsTPS33, OsTPS14, OsTPS3), cytochrome P450 family (Oscyp71Z4, CYP76M10), and abiotic stress-related genes (OsSAP, OsLEA14, PCC13-62). OsERF83 also up-regulates biotic stress-associated genes, including PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN (PR), WALL-ASSOCIATED KINASE (WAK), CELLULOSE SYNTHASE-LIKE PROTEIN E1 (CslE1), and LYSM RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE (RLK) genes. Our results provide new insight into the multiple roles of OsERF83 in the cross-talk between abiotic and biotic stress signaling pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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23 pages, 3513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The OsERF115/AP2EREBP110 Transcription Factor Is Involved in the Multiple Stress Tolerance to Heat and Drought in Rice Plants

by Seong-Im Park, Hyeok Jin Kwon, Mi Hyeon Cho, Ji Sun Song, Beom-Gi Kim, JeongHo Baek, Song Lim Kim, HyeonSo Ji, Taek-Ryoun Kwon, Kyung-Hwan Kim and In Sun Yoon

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 7181; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22137181 - 02 Jul 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4246

Abstract

The AP2/EREBP family transcription factors play important roles in a wide range of stress tolerance and hormone signaling. In this study, a heat-inducible rice ERF gene was isolated and functionally characterized. The OsERF115/AP2EREBP110 was categorized to Group-IIIc of the rice AP2/EREBP family and strongly induced by heat and drought treatment. The OsERF115/AP2EREBP110 protein targeted to nuclei and suppressed the ABA-induced transcriptional activation of Rab16A promoter in rice protoplasts. Overexpression of OsERF115/AP2EREBP110 enhanced thermotolerance of seeds and vegetative growth stage plants. The OsERF115/AP2EREBP110 overexpressing (OE) plants exhibited higher proline level and increased expression of a proline biosynthesis P5CS1 gene. Phenotyping of water use dynamics of the individual plant indicates that the OsERF115/AP2EREBP110-OE plant exhibited better water saving traits under heat and drought combined stress. Our combined results suggest the potential use of OsERF115/AP2EREBP110 as a candidate gene for genetic engineering approaches to develop heat and drought stress-tolerant crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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29 pages, 1301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Approach to Identify Quantitative Trait Loci for Drought Tolerance in Tetraploid Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

by Christina Schumacher, Susanne Thümecke, Florian Schilling, Karin Köhl, Joachim Kopka, Heike Sprenger, Dirk Karl Hincha, Dirk Walther, Sylvia Seddig, Rolf Peters, Ellen Zuther, Manuela Haas and Renate Horn

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 6123; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22116123 - 07 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3695

Abstract

Drought represents a major abiotic stress factor negatively affecting growth, yield and tuber quality of potatoes. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses were performed in cultivated potatoes for drought tolerance index DRYM (deviation of relative starch yield from the experimental median), tuber starch content, tuber starch yield, tuber fresh weight, selected transcripts and metabolites under control and drought stress conditions. Eight genomic regions of major interest for drought tolerance were identified, three representing standalone DRYM QTL. Candidate genes, e.g., from signaling pathways for ethylene, abscisic acid and brassinosteroids, and genes encoding cell wall remodeling enzymes were identified within DRYM QTL. Co-localizations of DRYM QTL and QTL for tuber starch content, tuber starch yield and tuber fresh weight with underlying genes of the carbohydrate metabolism were observed. Overlaps of DRYM QTL with metabolite QTL for ribitol or galactinol may indicate trade-offs between starch and compatible solute biosynthesis. Expression QTL confirmed the drought stress relevance of selected transcripts by overlaps with DRYM QTL. Bulked segregant analyses combined with next-generation sequencing (BSAseq) were used to identify mutations in genes under the DRYM QTL on linkage group 3. Future analyses of identified genes for drought tolerance will give a better insight into drought tolerance in potatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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Review

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12 pages, 11609 KiB

Open AccessReview

GABA: A Key Player in Drought Stress Resistance in Plants

by Md. Mahadi Hasan, Nadiyah M. Alabdallah, Basmah M. Alharbi, Muhammad Waseem, Guangqian Yao, Xu-Dong Liu, Hany G. Abd El-Gawad, Ahmed Abou El-Yazied, Mohamed F. M. Ibrahim, Mohammad Shah Jahan and Xiang-Wen Fang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 10136; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221810136 - 20 Sep 2021

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 6203

Abstract

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid involved in various physiological processes; it aids in the protection of plants against abiotic stresses, such as drought, heavy metals, and salinity. GABA tends to have a protective effect against drought stress in plants by increasing osmolytes and leaf turgor and reducing oxidative damage via antioxidant regulation. Guard cell GABA production is essential, as it may provide the benefits of reducing stomatal opening and transpiration and controlling the release of tonoplast-localized anion transporter, thus resulting in increased water-use efficiency and drought tolerance. We summarized a number of scientific reports on the role and mechanism of GABA-induced drought tolerance in plants. We also discussed existing insights regarding GABA’s metabolic and signaling functions used to increase plant tolerance to drought stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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29 pages, 3438 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Transcription Factors Involved in Drought and Associated Stresses

by Maria Hrmova and Syed Sarfraz Hussain

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5662; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115662 - 26 May 2021

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 7948

Abstract

Transcription factors (TFs) play a significant role in signal transduction networks spanning the perception of a stress signal and the expression of corresponding stress-responsive genes. TFs are multi-functional proteins that may simultaneously control numerous pathways during stresses in plants—this makes them powerful tools for the manipulation of regulatory and stress-responsive pathways. In recent years, the structure-function relationships of numerous plant TFs involved in drought and associated stresses have been defined, which prompted devising practical strategies for engineering plants with enhanced stress tolerance. Vast data have emerged on purposely basic leucine zipper (bZIP), WRKY, homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip), myeloblastoma (MYB), drought-response elements binding proteins/C-repeat binding factor (DREB/CBF), shine (SHN), and wax production-like (WXPL) TFs that reflect the understanding of their 3D structure and how the structure relates to function. Consequently, this information is useful in the tailored design of variant TFs that enhances our understanding of their functional states, such as oligomerization, post-translational modification patterns, protein-protein interactions, and their abilities to recognize downstream target DNA sequences. Here, we report on the progress of TFs based on their interaction pathway participation in stress-responsive networks, and pinpoint strategies and applications for crops and the impact of these strategies for improving plant stress tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought-Stress Induced Physiological and Molecular Changes in Plants)

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