NF-Y Transcription Factors: Key Players in Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants

Research on biologically active compounds has significantly expanded, driven by the goal of enhancing plant protection against diverse environmental stresses. Plants serve as invaluable resources for studying these compounds, as their immune system relies on a complex network of peptides, proteins, and hormones. Among the key transcription factor (TF) families involved in plant stress responses; the nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) family plays a pivotal role in modulating gene expression under environmental stresses. TFs NF-Y build three subunits forming heterotrimeric complexes, which collectively bind to CCAAT-box promoter regions, modulating genes essential for stress adaptation and survival. Compared with animals and fungi, higher plants possess a significantly expanded repertoire of NF-Y subunits, allowing for greater functional diversity. These proteins are involved in complex regulatory networks that integrate environmental signals with developmental processes. The expression of NF-Y encoding genes is often tissue-specific and dynamically regulated in response to stress conditions, highlighting their role in fine-tuning plant resilience. Furthermore, NF-Ys interact with key signaling pathways governing abiotic stress responses, contributing to enhanced tolerance against drought, salinity, and temperature fluctuations. This review explores the structural characteristics of NF-Y TFs, their functions in the development and growth of plants, their involvement in reactions to various stresses, and the molecular aspects underlying their regulatory functions. Additionally, we discuss their potential applications in crop improvement strategies, emphasizing their significance in developing stress-resilient plant varieties.