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TOR signalling in plants
Daniel Rexin1, Christian Meyer2, Christophe Robaglia3
1Forage Improvement, AgResearch, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
The Biochemical Journal
|August 8, 2015
Summary
The target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway integrates environmental signals with growth in plants. This review compares plant TOR signaling to animal and fungal systems, highlighting conserved and unique features in plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Signaling
- Cellular Regulation
Background:
- The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase pathway is a crucial regulator of cell growth and metabolism, integrating environmental cues like nutrients, energy status, and stress.
- While extensively studied in fungi and animals, the specific adaptations and functions of the TOR pathway in higher plants remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase signaling pathway in plants.
- To compare and contrast plant TOR signaling with its well-characterized counterparts in fungal and animal systems.
- To discuss conserved and divergent elements of the TOR pathway in plants, considering their unique autotrophic lifestyle and multicellular development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and comparative analysis of existing research on TOR signaling in plants, fungi, and animals.
- Synthesis of functional data and mechanistic insights from diverse plant species.
- Identification of conserved and divergent molecular components and regulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The TOR pathway in plants shares core components and functions with other eukaryotes, regulating growth and metabolism in response to environmental signals.
- Plants exhibit unique adaptations in TOR signaling, reflecting their autotrophic nutrition and complex multicellular development.
- Specific conserved and divergent elements highlight evolutionary modifications of this ancient pathway in the plant lineage.
Conclusions:
- The target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway is a highly conserved signaling network essential for plant growth and adaptation.
- Understanding plant-specific TOR mechanisms provides insights into how plants optimize resource allocation and development in response to environmental conditions.
- Further research into plant TOR signaling can reveal novel targets for improving crop yield and stress resilience.
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