Stress-regulated elements in Lotus spp., as a possible starting point to understand signalling networks and stress adaptation in legumes

Abstract

Although legumes are of primary economic importance for human and livestock consumption, the information regarding signalling networks during plant stress response in this group is very scarce. Lotus japonicus is a major experimental model within the Leguminosae family, whereas L. corniculatus and L. tenuis are frequent components of natural and agricultural ecosystems worldwide. These species display differences in their perception and response to diverse stresses, even at the genotype level, whereby they have been used in many studies aimed at achieving a better understanding of the plant stress-response mechanisms. However, we are far from the identification of key components of their stress-response signalling network, a previous step for implementing transgenic and editing tools to develop legume stress-resilient genotypes, with higher crop yield and quality. In this review we scope a body of literature, highlighting what is currently known on the stress-regulated signalling elements so far reported in Lotus spp. Our work includes a comprehensive review of transcription factors chaperones, redox signals and proteins of unknown function. In addition, we revised strigolactones and genes regulating phytochelatins and hormone metabolism, due to their involvement as intermediates in several physiological signalling networks. This work was intended for a broad readership in the fields of physiology, metabolism, plant nutrition, genetics and signal transduction. Our results suggest that Lotus species provide a valuable information platform for the study of specific protein-protein (PPI) interactions, as a starting point to unravel signalling networks underlying plant acclimatation to bacterial and abiotic stressors in legumes. Furthermore, some Lotus species may be a source of genes whose regulation improves stress tolerance and growth when introduced ectopically in other plant species.

Interspecific hybridization and inoculation with Pantoea eucalypti improve forage performance of Lotus crop species under alkaline stress

“…These legumes vary in their ability to grow in low-fertility soils and in unfavourable environments (Dı ´az et al 2005;Escaray et al 2012). While Lt grows well in limiting soil conditions, commercial Lc cultivars need soils with high or moderate fertility (Sanchez et al 2005;Antonelli et al 2016;Menéndez & Ruiz 2021;Maguire et al 2022).…”