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Cis-regulatory sequences in plants: Their importance, discovery, and future challenges
Robert J Schmitz1, Erich Grotewold2, Maike Stam3
1Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
The Plant Cell
|December 17, 2021
Summary
Understanding cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) is crucial for plant biology. This review covers CRM identification, characterization, and their role in gene expression, highlighting challenges and opportunities for crop improvement.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Genomics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Cis-regulatory DNA sequences coordinate plant responses to environmental and developmental signals.
- Cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), including enhancers and silencers, are key to these processes.
- Despite advances in genomics, CRM identification and functional understanding lag significantly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on plant cis-regulatory modules (CRMs).
- To highlight breakthrough technologies for CRM identification, characterization, and validation.
- To discuss CRM genomic distribution, evolution, and role in gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cis-regulatory module research.
- Comparative analysis of CRM genomic distribution across plant species.
- Discussion of transposable elements harboring CRMs and their evolutionary impact.
Main Results:
- CRMs are essential for regulating gene expression in plants.
- New technologies are emerging for CRM discovery and validation.
- Comparative genomics reveals species-specific patterns in CRM distribution.
- Transposable elements contribute to CRM evolution and gene regulation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding CRMs is vital for plant biology and crop improvement.
- Significant challenges remain in fully elucidating CRM function and activity states.
- Further research is needed to harness CRM knowledge for agricultural applications.
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