Evaluating the involvement and interaction of abscisic acid and miRNA156 in the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in drought-stressed plants

Abstract

Main conclusion ABA is involved in anthocyanin synthesis through the regulation of microRNA156, augmenting the level of expression of anthocyanin synthesisrelated genes and, therefore, increasing anthocyanin level.Drought stress is the main cause of agricultural crop loss in the world. However, plants have developed mechanisms that allow them to tolerate drought stress conditions. At cellular level, drought stress induces changes in metabolite accumulation, including increases in anthocyanin levels due to upregulation of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Recent studies suggest that the higher anthocyanin content observed under drought stress conditions could be a consequence of a rise in the abscisic acid (ABA) concentration. This plant hormone crosses the plasma membrane by specific transporters, and it is recognized at the cytosolic level by receptors known as pyrabactin resistance (PYR)/regulatory component of ABA receptors (PYR/RCARs) that regulate downstream components. In this review, we discuss the hypothesis regarding the involvement of ABA in the regulation of microRNA156 (miRNA156), which is upregulated as part of dehydration stress responsiveness in different species. The miRNA156 upregulation produces a greater level of anthocyanin gene expression, forming the multienzyme complex that will synthesize an increased level of anthocyanins at the cytosolic face of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). After synthesis, anthocyanins are transported from the RER to the vacuole by two possible models of transport: (1) membrane vesicle-mediated transport, or (2) membrane transporter-mediated transport. Thus, the aim was to analyze the recent findings on synthesis, transport and the possible mechanism by which ABA could increase anthocyanin synthesis under drought stress conditions potentially throughout microRNA156 (miRNA156).

Anthocyanins: A Comprehensive Review of Their Chemical Properties and Health Effects on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…Although the molecular mechanism underlying the increase in anthocyanin levels in response to water stress is not yet fully understood, many steps forward have recently been made. Indeed, recent studies suggest that the accumulation of high levels of anthocyanins, in plants under drought stress, may be linked to the regulation of miR156 through the increase in abscisic acid (ABA) level, the main plant hormone that responds to several environmental stresses [ 162 ]. Furthermore, it would appear that moderate levels of miR156 overexpression in alpha-alpha plants suppress the SPL13 expression and increase the expression of WD40-1 and consequently of DFR [ 163 ].…”

Cryptochrome-Related Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants

“…Drought is one of the most critical factors of plant production in agricultural systems (Lesk et al, 2016; González-Villagra et al, 2017; Sseremba et al, 2018). Given the evidence regarding the mechanisms that control plant responses to drought stress (Bechtold, 2018; Hussain et al, 2018; Meng, 2018), we would not be surprised that crys are an important part of these responses (Mishra and Khurana, 2017).…”

The ERF transcription factor MdERF38 promotes drought stress‐induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple

“…In addition, several reports also reveal that drought stress‐induced accumulation of ABA, proline and sugars might also play key roles in the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis under drought stress (Das et al , ; Sperdouli and Moustakas, ; González‐Villagra et al , ). Recent investigations indicate that microRNA 156, 14‐3‐3 lambda protein and UDP‐glycosyltransferases might be key components in the modulating of anthocyanin biosynthesis in response to drought stress (González‐Villagra et al , ; Li et al , ; Smith et al , ). Although drought‐induced anthocyanin accumulation has been studied in many species and attempts have been made to reveal its molecular mechanism, it has so far not been elucidated.…”