Editorial: The evolution, diversity, and functions of alternative splicing (AS) in plant responses to abiotic stress
Year: 2023
Type: editorial
Abstract: The evolution, diversity and functions of alternative splicing (AS) in plant responses to abiotic stress Alternative splicing (AS) is a widespread mechanism in eukaryotic gene regulation that enables the generation of multiple protein isoforms from a single gene.AS can result in the inclusion or exclusion of specific exons, alternative 5' or 3' splice site selection, or intron retention.The diversity of mRNA isoforms produced through AS greatly expands the proteome and allows for finer regulation of gene expression.In plants, AS plays a critical role in the response to abiotic stress, including drought, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient deficiency.Abiotic stress can significantly alter gene expression, and AS provides a mechanism for rapid and precise regulation of gene expression under changing environmental conditions.In addition to regulating gene expression, AS also contributes to the evolution of new genes and functions.By generating novel protein isoforms, AS can produce new functions that can help plants adapt to changing environments.Global climate change is bringing new challenges to natural ecosystems around the world.Increasing temperatures and soil salinity levels are contributing to plant abiotic stress, with direct consequences for agricultural crop production.In plants, alternative splicing is of growing importance as more genes are found to undergo AS, which may impact strategies for improving plant phenotypes.In this Research Topic, we aimed to increase the understanding of how alternative splicing modulates plant development and the response to environmental stress.In the following, key ideas contributed to this Research Topic are summarized which serve to illustrate the broad and complex ways that improve the adaption of plant growth under abiotic stresses.In a review paper, Rosenkranz et al. provide an overview of the impact of heat stress on plants and their response to it, with a focus on the role of AS in regulating plant survival and acclimation to stress conditions.AS events, such as intron retention, can impact the transcriptome and protein synthesis and have been linked to thermotolerance in some cases.The authors highlight the complex nature of splicing, which is affected by multiple factors including RNA polymerase II elongation rate, chromatin structure, and histone and DNA modifications.The authors discussed the role of proteins involved in splicing Frontiers in Plant Science frontiersin.
Source: Frontiers in Plant Science
Authors: Fang Bai, Enamul Huq, Justyna Jadwiga Olas
Language: English
Topic: RNA Research and Splicing
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,295
OpenAlex ID: W4353086451