Functional genomics in plant abiotic stress responses and tolerance: From gene discovery to complex regulatory networks and their application in breeding

Abstract

Land plants have developed sophisticated systems to cope with severe stressful environmental conditions during evolution. Plants have complex molecular systems to respond and adapt to abiotic stress, including drought, cold, and heat stress. Since 1989, we have been working to understand the complex molecular mechanisms of plant responses to severe environmental stress conditions based on functional genomics approaches with Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant. We focused on the function of drought-inducible genes and the regulation of their stress-inducible transcription, perception and cellular signal transduction of stress signals to describe plant stress responses and adaptation at the molecular and cellular levels. We have identified key genes and factors in the regulation of complex responses and tolerance of plants in response to dehydration and temperature stresses. In this review article, we describe our 30-year experience in research and development based on functional genomics to understand sophisticated systems in plant response and adaptation to environmental stress conditions.

Unveiling the regulatory role of GRP7 in ABA signal-mediated mRNA translation efficiency regulation

“…ABA treatment orchestrates dynamic changes in mRNA translation efficiency, pre-rRNA processing, and ribosome distribution Plant exhibit rapid adjustments in gene expression at both transcriptional and translational levels in response to environmental stress, with the hormone ABA playing a pivotal role 35,36 . We aim to unravel the intricate mechanisms through which ABA treatment influences gene expression dynamics.…”

Gene expression analysis of drought tolerance and cuticular wax biosynthesis in diploid and tetraploid induced wallflowers

“…These transcription factors are associated with the cis-acting elements of the promoter regions of stress-inducible genes and activate or repress gene expression. These transcription factors usually regulate various stress-responsive genes cooperatively by establishing transcriptional gene networks [ 22 ]. In this study, the specific genes were chosen due to their importance for drought tolerance and cuticular wax biosynthesis.…”

Complex plant responses to drought and heat stress under climate change

“…Since the form of drought escape varies depending on the plant species, we will discuss avoidance and tolerance here. Regarding drought avoidance, the stomatal response serves as an important mechanism, whereas the tolerance response is represented by the activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging pathways, increased biosynthesis of compatible solutes, and the accumulation of protective molecules (Shinozaki & Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki, 2022; Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki & Shinozaki, 2006; Zhang, Zhu, et al., 2022).…”

“…Over the past three decades, extensive research has delved into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of plant responses to drought and heat stress independently. This research has revealed intricate regulatory networks governing stress‐inducible gene expression, signal transduction, and stress signal perception (Ohama et al., 2017; Shinozaki & Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki, 2022; Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki & Shinozaki, 2006; Zhu, 2016). Key elements involved in transcriptional regulation, including cis‐acting elements and transcription factors, and signaling factors such as protein kinases, calcium channels, and sensors have been identified.…”