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Abscisic acid receptors: past, present and future
Jianjun Guo1, Xiaohan Yang, David J Weston
1Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2790, USA.
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key plant stress hormone. Multiple ABA receptors have been identified in various locations, advancing understanding of ABA signal perception and transduction.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Abscisic acid (ABA) functions as a crucial plant stress hormone.
- Previous research suggested both membrane- and cytoplasm-localized ABA receptors.
- Recent discoveries reveal multiple ABA receptors across different subcellular compartments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the identification and locations of multiple ABA receptors.
- To elucidate the downstream signaling pathways of these ABA receptors.
- To understand the ABA signal perception and transduction complex.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on ABA receptors.
- Analysis of genetic, physiological, biochemical, and structural evidence.
- Focus on the interaction between PYR/PYL/RCAR and PP2Cs.
Main Results:
- Multiple ABA receptors identified: chloroplast envelope, plasma membrane, and cytosol/nucleus.
- PYR/PYL/RCAR directly binds and regulates A-group protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C).
- A central signaling complex (ABA-PYR-PP2Cs-SnRK2s) is supported by extensive evidence.
Conclusions:
- The discovery of multiple ABA receptors enhances comprehension of ABA signaling.
- This finding introduces additional complexity to the understanding of ABA perception and transduction.
- The ABA-PYR-PP2Cs-SnRK2s complex is central to ABA signal transduction.
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