Molecular intricacies of intrinsically disordered proteins and drought stress in plants

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs) and Intrinsically Disordered Regions (IDRs) are renowned for their dynamic structural characteristics and conformational adaptability, allowing them to assume diverse conformations in response to prevailing environmental conditions. This inherent flexibility facilitates their interactions with molecular targets, enabling them to engage in numerous cellular processes without any excessive energy consumption. This adaptability is instrumental in shaping cellular complexity and enhancing adaptability. Notably, most investigations into IDPs/IDRs have concentrated on non-plant organisms, while this comprehensive review explores their multifaceted functions with a perspective of plant resilience to drought stress. Furthermore, the impact of IDPs on plant stress is discussed, highlighting their involvement in diverse biological processes extending beyond mere stress adaptation. This review incorporates a broad spectrum of methodological approaches, ranging from computational tools to experimental techniques, employed for the systematic study of IDPs. We also discussed limitations, challenges, and future directions in this dynamic and evolving field, aiming to provide insights into the unexplored facets of IDPs/IDRs in the intricate landscape of plant responses to drought stress.