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Endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in plants
1Plant Sciences Institute and Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. shh@iastate.edu
Annual Review of Plant Biology
|January 22, 2013
Summary
Plant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, triggered by misfolded proteins, activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to enhance stress tolerance. However, severe or chronic ER stress can lead to plant cell death.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular biology
- Stress physiology
Background:
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a critical process in plants facing adverse environmental conditions.
- This stress is initiated by the accumulation of misfolded proteins within the ER, overwhelming the protein-folding capacity.
- The unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to mitigate ER stress and promote plant survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in the plant unfolded protein response (UPR).
- To understand how ER stress impacts plant tolerance and survival mechanisms.
- To differentiate the outcomes of mild versus severe ER stress conditions.
Main Methods:
- Investigation of ER membrane-associated transcription factors (bZIP17 and bZIP28).
- Analysis of the dual protein kinase (RNA-splicing factor IRE1) and its target RNA (bZIP60) signaling pathway.
- Assessment of cellular responses, including autophagy and cell death, under varying stress conditions.
Main Results:
- Two distinct UPR signaling arms were identified in plants, involving bZIP transcription factors and the IRE1/bZIP60 pathway.
- IRE1 signaling mediates autophagy, a survival response, under mild or short-term ER stress.
- Severe or chronic ER stress, however, was observed to induce plant cell death.
Conclusions:
- Plant UPR pathways are crucial for managing ER stress and conferring stress tolerance.
- The IRE1-mediated signaling pathway plays a dual role, promoting survival via autophagy under moderate stress but contributing to cell death under severe stress.
- Understanding these pathways is vital for developing strategies to enhance plant resilience to environmental challenges.
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