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The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of...
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The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of Plant Growth and Stress

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Cell Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 8236

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Baoxiu Qi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moors University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
Interests: plant biotechnology; plant S-acylation; plant stress signalling
Dr. Rachael Symonds

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
Interests: abiotic stress tolerance; crop biotechnology; carotenoid biosynthesis; genetic diversity of underutilized crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to submit your latest research to this Special Issue of Plants. Minireviews are also welcome and the deadline for manuscript submissions is 30 June 2024.

Protein signal pathways play crucial roles in perceiving and regulating various aspects of plant growth and stress responses. These pathways involve complex interactions between proteins that transmit signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus, coordinating the plant's response to internal and external stimuli. They control diverse aspects of plant growth and development, cell division, differentiation, and morphogenesis, regulating leaf, root and shoot growth and development, flowering and fruit ripening. Signals from plant hormones are perceived by relevant receptors to influence seed germination, root elongation, flowering and fruit development. When plants encounter abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and pathogen attacks, stress and defence-related proteins, secondary metabolites and the induction of systemic acquired resistance in the related signalling pathways are triggered to protect the plant from further damage. Protein signal pathways are also involved in regulating gene expression by modulating transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, altering gene expression and affecting cellular processes, allowing the plant to adapt to environmental stress. It is also interesting that the crosstalk between different signalling pathways often occurs, resulting in overlapping responses to growth, development and environmental stresses. This could help plants prioritize survival strategies in adverse conditions, for example.

Understanding signalling pathways not only sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of plants, but also has practical implications for agriculture, as it can inform strategies for crop improvement, pest control and sustainable farming practices. Plant signalling remains a fascinating area of research, along with its vital role in shaping ecosystems and food production.

Dr. Baoxiu Qi
Dr. Rachael Symonds
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • protein signalling
  • plant development
  • plant hormones
  • abiotic stress
  • biotic stress

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3380 KiB  
Article
Importance of OsRac1 in Signalling of Pigm-1 Mediated Resistance to Rice Blast Disease
by Dewei Yang, Niqing He, Fenghuang Huang, Jialin Chen, Minxiang Yu, Yidan Jin, Shaojun Lin and Shengping Li
Plants 2025, 14(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14020217 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 833
Abstract
In rice, leucine-rich repeat nucleotide-binding site (NLR) proteins are pivotal immune receptors in combating Magnaporthe oryzae-triggered rice blast. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying how NLR proteins regulate downstream signalling remains elusive due to the lack of knowledge regarding their direct downstream [...] Read more.
In rice, leucine-rich repeat nucleotide-binding site (NLR) proteins are pivotal immune receptors in combating Magnaporthe oryzae-triggered rice blast. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying how NLR proteins regulate downstream signalling remains elusive due to the lack of knowledge regarding their direct downstream targets. The NLR protein Pigm-1 was cloned from Shuangkang 77009 in our laboratory. This study shows that the nucleotide-binding site (NBS) domain of Pigm-1 facilitates its binding to and activation of OsRac1 while the coiled-coil (CC) domain enables its binding to and activation of RAI1, ultimately inducing cell death. At the same time, after knocking out OsRac1 in the background of Shuangkang 77009 containing Pigm-1, two knockout lines showed susceptibility to rice blast. This study reveals OsRac1, a GTPase, as a signalling molecule involved in Pigm-1-mediated blast resistance, suggesting its potential as a common downstream effector of rice NLR proteins. Additionally, a transcriptional activator, RAI1, acts as an essential Pigm-1 interactor for blast resistance. Furthermore, a novel material 9311(Pigm-1) was prepared by using two-line restorer line 9311 as receptor and Shuangkang 77009 as donor with molecular marker-assisted technology, which improved blast resistance and yield. This research demonstrates that molecular marker-assisted selection technology enhances both resistance and yield in the crucial two-line restorer 9311(Pigm-1). This study offers crucial insights into how Pigm-1 protein activates downstream molecules and serves as a valuable reference for the molecular breeding of rice blast resistance genes, particularly Pigm-1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of Plant Growth and Stress)
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21 pages, 5477 KiB  
Article
Bioinformatics and Expression Profiling of the DHHC-CRD S-Acyltransferases Reveal Their Roles in Growth and Stress Response in Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
by Si Gu, Xinghua Nie, Amal George, Kyle Tyler, Yu Xing, Ling Qin and Baoxiu Qi
Plants 2025, 14(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14010127 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 943
Abstract
Protein S-acyl transferases (PATs) are a family of enzymes that catalyze protein S-acylation, a post-translational lipid modification involved in protein membrane targeting, trafficking, stability, and protein–protein interaction. S-acylation plays important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Here, we report the genome-wide [...] Read more.
Protein S-acyl transferases (PATs) are a family of enzymes that catalyze protein S-acylation, a post-translational lipid modification involved in protein membrane targeting, trafficking, stability, and protein–protein interaction. S-acylation plays important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Here, we report the genome-wide analysis of the PAT family genes in the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), a model plant for studying the economically important Rosaceae family. In total, 21 ‘Asp-His-His-Cys’ Cys Rich Domain (DHHC-CRD)-containing sequences were identified, named here as FvPAT1-21. Expression profiling by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that all the 21 FvPATs were expressed ubiquitously in seedlings and different tissues from adult plants, with notably high levels present in vegetative tissues and young fruits. Treating seedlings with hormones indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and salicylic acid (SA) rapidly increased the transcription of most FvPATs. A complementation assay in yeast PAT mutant akr1 and auto-S-acylation assay of one FvPAT (FvPAT19) confirmed its enzyme activity where the Cys in the DHHC motif was required. An AlphaFold prediction of the DHHC and the mutated DHHC155S of FvPAT19 provided further proof of the importance of C155 in fatty acid binding. Together, our data clearly demonstrated that S-acylation catalyzed by FvPATs plays important roles in growth, development, and stress signaling in strawberries. These preliminary results could contribute to further research to understand S-acylation in strawberries and plants in general. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of Plant Growth and Stress)
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19 pages, 3729 KiB  
Article
Rehmannia glutinosa RgMATE35 Participates in the Root Secretion of Phenolic Acids and Modulates the Development of Plant Replant Disease
by Yanhui Yang, Bingyang Guo, Yan Jin, Mingjie Li, Zichao Wang, Jiaqi Zhao, Haiqin Ma, Tongyu Wu and Zhongyi Zhang
Plants 2024, 13(21), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213007 - 28 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1069
Abstract
Phenolic allelochemicals from root exudates dominate rhizosphere formation, lead to autotoxicity in plants subjected to continuous monoculture (CM) stress and induce the emergence of replant disease. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing the transport of phenolics from plant roots to the rhizosphere remain poorly [...] Read more.
Phenolic allelochemicals from root exudates dominate rhizosphere formation, lead to autotoxicity in plants subjected to continuous monoculture (CM) stress and induce the emergence of replant disease. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing the transport of phenolics from plant roots to the rhizosphere remain poorly understood. A potential phenolic efflux transporter from Rehmannia glutinosa, designated RgMATE35, has been preliminarily characterized. The objective of this study was to elucidate the molecular function of RgMATE35 in the secretion of phenolics and to investigate its role in the development of plant replant disease using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), genetic transformation, HPLC-Q-TOF-MS and other analytical techniques. A tissue expression pattern analysis of RgMATE35 revealed that it is highly expressed in plant roots. Transient expression analysis confirmed the localization of the protein in plasma membranes. An assessment of the transport activity of RgMATE35 in Xenopus oocytes indicated that it plays a role in facilitating the efflux of labeled ferulic acid ([2H3]-FA) and trans-p-coumaric acid [2H6]-pCA. The results of functional studies in R. glutinosa demonstrated that RgMATE35 positively mediates the secretion of FA and pCA from plant roots into the rhizosphere. A molecular and physiological analysis of RgMATE35 transgenic plants subjected to CM stress revealed that the overexpression or repression of RgMATE35 resulted in notable changes in the degree of autotoxic injury in plants. These findings demonstrate that RgMATE35 plays a positive role in the development of replant disease through the secretion of phenolic acids from plant roots. They also provide a fundamental framework for elucidating the molecular regulatory mechanism through which MATEs regulate replant disease through the root secretion of allelochemicals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of Plant Growth and Stress)
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18 pages, 5905 KiB  
Article
Methionine Synthase 2 Represses Stem Cell Maintenance of Arabidopsis thaliana in Response to Salt Stress
by Jiaqi Qiu, Minghuang Chen, Feng Lu, Xiaofen Chen, Zheqi Cai and Tao Huang
Plants 2024, 13(16), 2224; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162224 - 10 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1723
Abstract
Salt stress represses the growth and development of plants that mainly depend on the continual propagation and differentiation of stem cells. WUSCHEL (WUS)/WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) family proteins determine stem cell fate in plants under ever-changing environments. It is not yet known how plant [...] Read more.
Salt stress represses the growth and development of plants that mainly depend on the continual propagation and differentiation of stem cells. WUSCHEL (WUS)/WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) family proteins determine stem cell fate in plants under ever-changing environments. It is not yet known how plant stem cell homeostasis is regulated under salt stress. Methionine synthase catalyzes the formation of methionine by methylating homocysteine in the one-carbon metabolism pathway. In this work, we investigated the role of Arabidopsis METHIONINE SYNTHASE 2 (AtMS2) in stem cell homeostasis under salt stress. The results showed that AtMS2 represses the stem cell maintenance of Arabidopsis in response to salt stress. Under normal growth conditions, AtMS2 is mainly localized in the cytoplasm. However, under salt stress, it exhibits significant accumulation in the nucleus. AtMS2 interacts with the WUS/WOX protein, and, together, they repress WUS/WOX expression by binding to its promoter. The mutation in AtMS2 resulted in enhanced salt tolerance. Therefore, AtMS2 might act as a key negative regulator to repress the stem cell maintenance and growth of Arabidopsis under salt stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of Plant Growth and Stress)
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24 pages, 1848 KiB  
Review
Ethylene Signaling in Regulating Plant Growth, Development, and Stress Responses
by Xiaoyi Wang, Hongyi Wen, Andrey Suprun and Hongliang Zhu
Plants 2025, 14(3), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030309 - 21 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2905
Abstract
Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays a crucial role in coordinating various physiological processes in plants. It acts as a key mediator, integrating both endogenous developmental cues and external environmental signals to regulate a wide range of functions, including growth, fruit [...] Read more.
Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays a crucial role in coordinating various physiological processes in plants. It acts as a key mediator, integrating both endogenous developmental cues and external environmental signals to regulate a wide range of functions, including growth, fruit ripening, leaf abscission, and responses to stress. The signaling pathway is initiated when ethylene binds to its receptor. After decades of research, the key components of ethylene signaling have been identified and characterized. Although the molecular mechanisms of the sensing of ethylene signal and its transduction have been studied extensively, a new area of research is how respiration and epigenetic modifications influence ethylene signaling and ethylene response. Here, we summarize the research progress in recent years and review the function and importance of ethylene signaling in plant growth and stress responses. In addition, we also describe the current understanding of how epigenetic modifications regulate ethylene signaling and the ethylene response. Together, our review sheds light on the new signaling mechanisms of ethylene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Function of Protein Signal Pathways in the Regulation of Plant Growth and Stress)
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