Photoreceptor-dependent signaling in plant responses to thermomorphogenesis and heat stress

Climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events are profoundly disrupting ecosystems and agricultural production. As essential components in plants, photoreceptors play a pivotal role in mediating responses to environmental stimuli, including light and temperature, and thus a deeper understanding of these mechanisms may aid efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Recent studies have revealed intricate signaling networks and molecular mechanisms underlying photoreceptor-mediated temperature perception and response. This review summarizes recent advances in knowledge how photoreceptors-such as phytochromes, cryptochromes, phototropins, zeitlupes (ZTL, FKF1, and LKP2), and UVB-RESISTANCE 8-contribute to plant temperature responses. This review systematically examines the roles of plant photoreceptors in temperature responses, with Arabidopsis thaliana serving as the primary model system to dissect their functions in thermomorphogenesis and heat stress adaptation. We also discuss key questions in the field and highlight the significance of uncovering these mechanisms for developing climate-resilient crops.