Roles of MADS-box transcription factors in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses

Plants deploy sophisticated adaptive mechanisms to mitigate the detrimental effects of abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and heavy metals) and biotic stresses (pathogens and senescence) on growth and productivity. Central to these responses are transcription factors (TFs) that orchestrate stress-responsive gene networks. Among TF families, MADS-box proteins, characterized by their evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding domain, function as pivotal regulators of developmental plasticity and stress adaptation. While recent advances have clarified their roles in abiotic stress tolerance, a systematic integration of their functions in biotic stress responses has yet to be achieved. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how MADS-box TFs mediate plant adaptation to both abiotic and biotic stresses through the regulation of intricate transcriptional networks. By integrating these multifaceted insights, we advance toward a unified understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which MADS-box TFs coordinate plant responses to dual environmental challenges. Our analysis provides mechanistic insights into enhancing plant resilience through the targeted modulation of MADS-box genes and their regulatory networks. We further propose translational strategies for crop improvement, focusing on molecular breeding approaches to engineer stress-tolerant varieties that balance stress adaptation with developmental processes. This comprehensive assessment establishes MADS-box TFs as master regulators at the stress-development interface and proposes novel biotechnological avenues for sustainable agriculture.