Strategies to develop climate-resilient chili peppers: transcription factor optimization through genome editing

Area of Science:

• Plant Science and Genetics
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Chili peppers (Capsicum spp.) are vital crops facing threats from climate-induced abiotic stresses (drought, heat, salinity) and biotic factors (pathogens, herbivores).
• These combined stressors reduce yield and compromise the accumulation of health-promoting secondary metabolites.
• The genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing stress resilience in Capsicum are not fully understood, hindering breeding efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent advancements in understanding the transcriptional, metabolic, and epigenetic regulation of stress resilience in chili peppers.
• To highlight the potential of multi-omics and genome editing technologies for enhancing Capsicum's adaptive responses.
• To propose a framework for developing climate-resilient chili pepper cultivars with optimized metabolic traits.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on core transcription factor families (e.g., CaNAC, CaWRKY, CaMYB) involved in stress response.
• Exploration of multi-omics approaches for gene discovery and functional validation.
• Discussion of advanced genome editing tools, including CRISPR/Cas systems (Cas12a, Cas13d), base editing, and prime editing, for precise genetic modification.

Main Results:

• Identified key transcription factors regulating osmotic adjustment, reactive oxygen species detoxification, hormonal signaling, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis under stress.
• Demonstrated the efficacy of multi-omics and CRISPR/Cas-mediated editing in reprogramming regulatory loci for enhanced stress tolerance.
• Highlighted progress in overcoming genetic engineering challenges through innovations like genotype-independent transformation platforms.

Conclusions:

• A strategic convergence of transcription factor modulation, multi-omics, precision phenotyping, and next-generation genome editing is crucial for developing resilient chili pepper varieties.
• These integrated approaches offer a robust pathway to enhance adaptive responses, safeguard yield, and improve nutritional quality.
• This strategy will accelerate the development of sustainable chili pepper agriculture capable of withstanding escalating environmental and pathogenic pressures.