Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 

About: Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0974-0430. Over the lifetime, 1413 publications have been published receiving 23194 citations. The journal is also known as: An International Journal of Functional Plant Biology & PMBP.

MYB transcription factor genes as regulators for plant responses: an overview

Abstract: Regulation of gene expression at the level of transcription controls many crucial biological processes. Transcription factors (TFs) play a great role in controlling cellular processes and MYB TF family is large and involved in controlling various processes like responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, development, differentiation, metabolism, defense etc. Here, we review MYB TFs with particular emphasis on their role in controlling different biological processes. This will provide valuable insights in understanding regulatory networks and associated functions to develop strategies for crop improvement.

Glutathione in plants: biosynthesis and physiological role in environmental stress tolerance

Abstract: Glutathione (GSH; γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) is a small intracellular thiol molecule which is considered as a strong non-enzymatic antioxidant. Glutathione regulates multiple metabolic functions; for example, it protects membranes by maintaining the reduced state of both α-tocopherol and zeaxanthin, it prevents the oxidative denaturation of proteins under stress conditions by protecting their thiol groups, and it serves as a substrate for both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase. By acting as a precursor of phytochelatins, GSH helps in the chelating of toxic metals/metalloids which are then transported and sequestered in the vacuole. The glyoxalase pathway (consisting of glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II enzymes) for detoxification of methylglyoxal, a cytotoxic molecule, also requires GSH in the first reaction step. For these reasons, much attention has recently been directed to elucidation of the role of this molecule in conferring tolerance to abiotic stress. Recently, this molecule has drawn much attention because of its interaction with other signaling molecules and phytohormones. In this review, we have discussed the recent progress in GSH biosynthesis, metabolism and its role in abiotic stress tolerance.

Up-regulation of antioxidant and glyoxalase systems by exogenous glycinebetaine and proline in mung bean confer tolerance to cadmium stress

Abstract: The present study investigates the possible mediatory role of exogenously applied glycinebetaine (betaine) and proline on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification systems in mung bean seedlings subjected to cadmium (Cd) stress (1 mM CdCl2, 48 h). Cadmium stress caused a significant increase in glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) content, while the ascorbate (AsA) content decreased significantly with a sharp increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation level (MDA). Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glyoxalase I (Gly I) activities were increased in response to Cd stress, while the activities of catalase (CAT), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR) and glyoxalase II (Gly II) were sharply decreased. Exogenous application of 5 mM betaine or 5 mM proline resulted in an increase in GSH and AsA content, maintenance of a high GSH/GSSG ratio and increased the activities of APX, DHAR, MDHAR, GR, GST, GPX, CAT, Gly I and Gly II involved in ROS and MG detoxification system as compared to the control and mostly also Cd-stressed plants, with a concomitant decrease in GSSG content, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation level. These findings together with our earlier findings suggest that both betaine and proline provide a protective action against Cd-induced oxidative stress by reducing H2O2 and lipid peroxidation levels and by increasing the antioxidant defense and MG detoxification systems.

Plant growth under water/salt stress: ROS production; antioxidants and significance of added potassium under such conditions.

Abstract: Plants are confronted with a variety of environmenmtal stresses resulting in enhanced production of ROS. Plants require a threshold level of ROS for vital functions and any change in their concentration alters the entire physiology of plant. Delicate balance of ROS is maintained by an efficient functioning of intriguing indigenous defence system called antioxidant system comprising enzymatic and non enzymatic components. Down regulation of antioxidant system leads to ROS induced oxidative stress causing damage to important cellular structures and hence anomalies in metabolism. Proper mineral nutrition, in addition to other agricultural practices, forms an important part for growth and hence the yield. Potassium (K) is a key macro-element regulating growth and development through alterations in physiological and biochemical attributes. K has been reported to result into accumulation of osmolytes and augmentation of antioxidant components in the plants exposed to water and salt stress. In the present review an effort has been made to revisit the old findings and the current advances in research regarding the role of optimal, suboptimal and deficient K soil status on growth under normal and stressful conditions. Effect of K deficiency and sufficiency is discussed and the information about the K mediated antioxidant regulation and plant response is highlighted.

Application of chitosan on plant responses with special reference to abiotic stress

Abstract: Chitosan is a natural biopolymer modified from chitins which act as a potential biostimulant and elicitor in agriculture. It is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible which favors potentially broad application. It enhances the physiological response and mitigates the adverse effect of abiotic stresses through stress transduction pathway via secondary messenger(s). Chitosan treatment stimulates photosynthetic rate, stomatal closure through ABA synthesis; enhances antioxidant enzymes via nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide signaling pathways, and induces production of organic acids, sugars, amino acids and other metabolites which are required for the osmotic adjustment, stress signaling, and energy metabolism under stresses. It is also known to form complexes with heavy metals and used as tool for phytoremediation and bioremediation of soil. Besides, this is used as antitranspirant compound through foliar application in many plants thus reducing water use and ensures protection from other negative effects. Based on such beneficial properties, chitosan is utilized in sustainable agricultural practices owing to changing climates. Our review gathers the recent information on chitosan centered upon the abiotic stress responses which could be useful in future crop improvement programs.