Next Article in Journal
Applications and Research Advances in the Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Systems for the Treatment of Inherited Diseases
Next Article in Special Issue
Emerging Roles of Receptor-like Protein Kinases in Plant Response to Abiotic Stresses
Previous Article in Journal
The Stabilization of S100A9 Structure by Calcium Inhibits the Formation of Amyloid Fibrils
Previous Article in Special Issue
Transcription Factor TaMYB30 Activates Wheat Wax Biosynthesis
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Functions of Plant Phytochrome Signaling Pathways in Adaptation to Diverse Stresses

1
Lushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang 332000, China
2
School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13201; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713201
Submission received: 23 July 2023 / Revised: 22 August 2023 / Accepted: 23 August 2023 / Published: 25 August 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance)

Abstract

:
Phytochromes are receptors for red light (R)/far-red light (FR), which are not only involved in regulating the growth and development of plants but also in mediated resistance to various stresses. Studies have revealed that phytochrome signaling pathways play a crucial role in enabling plants to cope with abiotic stresses such as high/low temperatures, drought, high-intensity light, and salinity. Phytochromes and their components in light signaling pathways can also respond to biotic stresses caused by insect pests and microbial pathogens, thereby inducing plant resistance against them. Given that, this paper reviews recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of action of phytochromes in plant resistance to adversity and discusses the importance of modulating the genes involved in phytochrome signaling pathways to coordinate plant growth, development, and stress responses.

1. Introduction

Plants perceive light signals through photoreceptors, among which phytochromes are primarily responsible for absorbing red (R) and far-red (FR) light [1,2]. Phytochromes regulate plant growth and development by interacting with intermediate factors such as PIFs (Phytochrome-interacting Factors), HFR1 (Long Hypocotyl in Far Red 1), COP1 (Constitutive Photomorphogenic 1), SPA1 (Suppressor of Photochrome A-105), and HY5 (Elongated Hypocotyl 5) [1,3,4,5,6]. Through reversible photoisomerization of phytochromobilin, phytochromes are divided to two forms: Pr (able to absorb red light) and Pfr (able to absorb far-red light) [3,7]. It is believed that Pfr is the active form, that interacts with other proteins both in the cytosol and inside the nucleus [7]. Phytochromes and their associated signaling pathways play crucial roles in various physiological processes of plants, including germination, de-etiolation, shade-avoidance syndrome (SAS), flowering (heading), as well as biotic/abiotic stress responses [6,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. The growth and development of plants are subject to various abiotic stresses, including high temperature, drought, waterlogging/submergence, salinity, and low temperature, as well as biotic stress such as pathogens and pests (Figure 1) [7,15,16,17,18,19]. To cope with these challenges, plants regulate their physiological processes through hormone pathways involving abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) [20,21,22,23,24]. Light signaling pathways are intricately intertwined with plant hormone signaling pathways, and phytochromes enable plants to evade or endure stress hazards by participating directly or indirectly in hormone signaling pathways [20,23,25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. Janda et al. also mentioned that phyB and PIF4 play important roles in resistance to high and low temperatures, but PIF4 is more stable at high temperatures and degrades at low temperatures [32]. Moreover, phyB also plays an important role in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in response to heat, cold, high-intensity light, and bacterial infection, and ROS may be another key node in the interaction between light and temperature signaling pathways [32,33]. This paper primarily summarizes advances in phytochromes and their associated signaling pathways during plant response to biotic/abiotic stress, while also elucidating the molecular mechanisms of light-mediated stress responses in plants. It aims to optimize plant resistance through phytochrome-mediated pathways, thereby maintaining the desired physiological state and achieving better economic output.

2. Phytochrome Signaling Pathways

In the course of long-term evolution and selection, plants have preserved several crucial photoreceptors: phytochrome (phy), which primarily absorbs far-red light (FR) at 700–750 nm and red light (R) at 600–700 nm to mediate far-red and red light signals; cryptochrome (CRY), which mainly absorbs UV-A in the range of 320–400 nm and blue light (B) between 400 and 500 nm to mediate blue light and ultraviolet-A (UV-A) induced plant responses; phototropin (PHOTO), which absorbs both blue and ultraviolet spectra; the ZTL family that responds to blue light, as well as UVR8 that is sensitive to light around 280–315 nm [34,35,36,37,38,39,40]. Phytochromes are essential photoreceptors in the plant’s photoreceptor system, primarily responsible for detecting and responding to far-red and red light stimuli, and they play a critical role in regulating seed germination, SAS, photomorphogenesis, flowering, vernalization, etc. [7,10,41,42,43,44,45]. Phytochromes of Arabidopsis thaliana consist of five members (PHYAPHYE), which can be classified into three subgroups based on phylogenetic analysis: PHYA, PHYB/PHYE and PHYC [41,46,47,48]. Phytochromes of gramineae, such as rice, corn, and wheat, solely comprise three subfamilies: PHYA, PHYB and PHYC [49,50,51,52,53].
Phytochromes are dimeric proteins consisting of two identical apoproteins covalently linked with phytochromobilin, which confers upon them the capacity to absorb far-red or red light [7,54,55]. Phytochromes undergo reversible photoconversion between activated state (Pfr) and inactive state (Pr) (Figure 1), which is mediated by reversible photoisomerization [2,7,56]. It is generally believed that phytochromes in the Pfr state have biological activity and can interact with other proteins in the nucleus or cytoplasm, participating in the regulation of light signal transduction pathways [2,3]. However, recently, some scholars have proposed that the Pr form of phytochromes in the nucleus may also have biological activity [57]. Phytochromes include the N-terminal photosensory domain and C-terminal dimerization domain. The PAS and GAF subdomains in the N-terminal form a core photosensory center, which contain bilin lyase activity and ligating chromophore to PAS domain (bacterial phytochrome) or GAF domain (plant phytochrome) [58,59,60]. The main functions of the C-terminal are for dimerization and nuclear localization [54,61]. It should be noted that the C-terminal of Arabidopsis phytochrome A (AtphyA) can provide dimerization ability, but cannot provide nuclear localization signals, thus its nuclear localization relies on the help of auxiliary factors such as FHY1 (Far-red Elongated Hypocotyl 1) and FHL (FHY1-like) [62,63].
Phytochromes are thought to regulate follow-up processes mainly by interacting with other proteins, which are dependent on intermediate factors in the phytochrome signaling pathway, and COP1, SPA1, PIFs, HFR1, HY5, etc., are important intermediates in the phytochrome signaling pathway, of which PIFs play an important role in the regulation of plant response to biotic/abiotic stress [3,4,5,7]. PIFs are negative regulators of photomorphogenesis, interacting through the APA (active phytochrome A-binding) or the APB (active Phytochrom B-binding) with phyA or phyB in the Pfr state, and achieving the ubiquitination and degradation of PIFs by 26S proteasomes [64,65,66,67]. PIF1-PIF8 all have an APB and can interact with phyB; however, the APA is only found in PIF1 and PIF3, meaning that only PIF1 and PIF3 can interact with phyA [4,68]. Plants’ absence PIFs (single mutant or multiple mutants) exhibit photomorphogenesis in dark conditions, while the quadruple mutants of PIFs, pif1 pif3 pif4 pif5 (pifq) exhibit photomorphogenesis with opening cotyledons and shortened hypocotyls in darkness [69,70]. However, not all PIFs exist as negative regulators, as PIF6 can promote photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis under red light condition [71,72] and PIF8 could activate the expression of BBX28 to control H2O2 levels and prolong petal senescence in roses [73].
Although PIFs were originally discovered in light signaling pathways and named as phytochrome-interacting factors, they can be involved in many signaling pathways and perform functions. PIF1, PIF3, PIF4, PIF5 and PIF7 can be involved in regulating biological clock-mediated plant growth [74,75,76,77,78,79]. PIF4, as a key regulator of thermomorphogenesis, promotes the elongation of hypocotyls through the adjustment of transcription and post-transcriptional stability in high temperature conditions; moreover, high temperatures can also promote the expression of FT (Flowering Locus T) through PIF4 to lead to earlier flowering [80,81,82,83]. In low-temperature signaling pathways, PIFs participate in low-temperature adaptation, growth and development through CBFs (C-repeat binding factors) [26,84,85]. In tomatoes, PIF3 can be involved in the biosynthesis of photo-dependent tocopherol [86]. PIF4 and PIF5 can also be involved in regulating leaf senescence and immune responses in plants [87,88,89]. PIF8 also involved in growth, regulation of ROS level, cold tolerance and powdery mildew resistance [73,90,91,92,93]. In addition, PIFs are also involved in the regulation of hormone signaling pathways such as GA, ABA, ET, BR, etc., by influencing the synthesis of hormones, regulating the expression of, or interacting with key factors of the hormone signaling pathways [77,90,94,95]. In summary, PIFs, a family of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, have many roles in photomorphogenesis, hormone signaling, and biotic and abiotic stress.
HY5 plays a role as a positivity regulator under various light conditions (far-red, red, blue, and UV), and its protein abundance also shows a positive correlation with the degree of photomorphogenesis [96,97,98,99]. HY5 is located downstream of the light signaling pathway and can bind to the promoter of light-regulated genes, regulating photomorphogenesis by upregulating or downregulating gene expression [100,101]. HY5 can also coordinate light, temperature, and hormone signaling pathways, balancing growth and development with low-temperature resistance [25]. The COP1-SPA1 E3 complex serves as the core negative regulatory factor in the light signaling pathway, targeting key light-signaling positive regulators for degradation [3,5]. In the nucleus, COP1 binds to HY5 through the WD40 domain, mediating the ubiquitination and degradation of HY5 [97,102]. However, HY5 achieves its stability and activation through the phosphorylation of its COP1-binding region [103]. The interaction and degradation process between COP1 and HY5 can serve as a “switch” in the development of Arabidopsis mediated by light, synergistically regulating light signal transduction [5,104]. Similarly, COP1 can also regulate plant abiotic stress tolerance through regulation of HY5 and other factors [105,106].

3. Phytochrome Signaling Pathways and Abiotic Stresses

3.1. Phytochrome Signaling in Adaptation to High Temperature

Temperature is an important environmental factor during plant growth, and higher temperatures reduce seed germination and increase the length of the petiole. The change in plant morphology caused by diverse temperatures is called thermomorphogenesis, which is an adaptive reaction of plants [107,108]. Severe high temperatures are often accompanied by extremely intense light exposure. So, what is the relationship between the adaptation of plants to high temperature and phytochrome signaling? Phytochrome A-E are well known as photoreceptors, but later studies found that increase in temperature can promote the transformation of phyB into Pr forms without relying on light, which directly verifies that phyB can exist not only as a photoreceptor but also as a thermosensor (factors of phytochrome signaling for regulating abiotic/biotic stress are listed in Table 1, which will not be repeated in the following) [109,110,111]. The absence of PHYB in Arabidopsis enhances thermal tolerance; the rate of leaf appearance accelerated by high temperatures is slowed down in the phyB mutant [112,113]. PhyB perceives high temperature and modulates the accumulation of chlorophyll and carotenoid in tomatoes [113]. PhyB also perceives shade signals, endowing Arabidopsis with heat resistance [114]. High temperature and phyB antagonistically coordinate seed germination, and the S-nitrosylation and degradation of HFR1 play an important role in high-temperature suppressing germination [115]. PIFs are central regulators of photomorphogenesis. In plants, the role of PIF4 is most pronounced when plants are exposed to high-temperature stress [64,81,116,117]. Under high-temperature stress, PIF4 is abundantly expressed in plants as a crossover protein between phytochrome signaling and temperature signaling to initiate a protective pathway in plants under high-temperature adversity and thus enhance heat tolerance [81,117,118]. In light conditions, phyB induces phosphorylation and degradation of BIN2-mediated PIF4, while high temperatures induce excessive phosphorylation of PIF4 which enhances the stability of PIF4 [119,120]. HEMERA is a key regulating factor in phyB-mediated photomorphogenesis, which interacts with PIF4, inducing thermomorphogenesis associated gene expression and PIF4 accumulation, and participating in the thermomorphogenesis of plants [121]. PIF4 can directly interact with the promoters of NAC019 (NAC Domain Containing Protein 019) and IAA29 (Indole-3-Acetic Acid Inducible 29); therefore, PIF4/5 can activate SAG113 (Senescence-associated Gene 29) and NAC019, while repressing IAA29 and CBF2 expression to complete the regulation of leaf senescence under high-temperature stress in Arabidopsis [122,123]. Under high temperatures (28 °C), TCP17 bind directly to the promoter of PIF4 and promote its transcription [124]. In turn, PIF4 binds to the promoter of the heat shock factor HsfA2 for higher expression to maintain higher expression of heat-stress-related genes and enhance plant heat tolerance [30,125]. In addition to PIF4 and PIF5, PIF7 could also respond to high-temperature stress. Under high temperatures, plants can rapidly accumulate PIF7, and then induce transcription of YUC8, YUC9, IAA19, IAA29, etc., to initiate thermomorphogenesis [118,126]. HY5, the bZIP transcription factor, inhibits the expression of PIF4 and competes for target genes with PIF4, participating in thermomorphogenesis [127,128]. However, high temperatures cause COP1 to enter the nucleus and promote the degradation of HY5 through the 26S proteasomes [105]. Red and blue light can cause phyB to initiate HsfA1-mediated expression of APX2 (Ascorbate Peroxidase 2) to accelerate the removal of ROS under high-temperature stress [129]. In conclusion, phyB and PIFs play important roles in coping with high-temperature stress; phyB is a temperature sensor, and PIFs are central factors for crosstalk in adaptation to high temperatures (Figure 2).

3.2. Phytochrome Signaling in Adaptation to Low Temperature

Low temperature is not conducive to plant growth and development, severely inhibits life activities, and even causes structural damage to cells and tissues. Chilling and freezing damage all belong to low-temperature stress. Phytochrome-sensitive mutant hp1 and phytochrome-deficient mutant aur exhibited different physiological, biochemical and molecular responses under chilling, which means phytochromes play a role under low-temperature stress [130]. It has been demonstrated that phyB, PIF3, PIF4, and PIF7, etc., have important roles in adaptation to low-temperature stress in Arabidopsis [84,131]. PIF3, PIF4, and PIF7 can negatively regulate CBF expression by binding to the promoter to reduce plant freezing resistance [84,131,132,133]. In addition, CBFs interact with PIF3 to attenuate the mutually assured destruction of PIF3 and phyB, and the cold-stabilized phyB positively regulates freezing tolerance by regulating growth-related and stress-responsive genes [26]. Low temperature inhibits the protein degradation of PIF3 mediated by the F-box proteins EBF1 (EIN3-BINDING F-BOX 1) and EBF2, while AtPIF3 regulates the ability to tolerate low temperatures by directly inhibiting expression of CBFs [84]. In tomatoes, phyA and phyB antagonistically regulate cold tolerance via ABA-dependent JA signaling [134,135,136]. Similarly, PIF4 can also bind to the promoters of CBF1 and GAI4 (Gibberellic Acid Insensitive 4) to activate their expression and then enhance cold tolerance [28,137]. PIF8 increases the expression of the SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) gene and the activity of SOD to reduce the superoxide anion (O2) level to enhance cold tolerance in citrus [92]. Research has shown that HY5 is also a positive regulator of the cold signaling pathway, which induces the expression of CAB1 (chlorophyll A/B binding protein 1) by combining Z-box and other cis-acting elements of its promoter, mediating the process of cooling domestication and enhancing cold resistance in plants [138]. Under low temperatures, HY5 can also directly target the ACE components in the promoter of the genes BBX7 (B-BOX DOMAIN PROTEIN 7) and BBX8, thereby altering their gene expression to integrate light and cold signaling pathways [139]. HY5 is also essential for cold tolerance by binding to promoters of NCED6 and GA2ox4 to reduce GA/ABA ratio in tomatoes [25,140]. At low temperatures, low R:FR promotes FHY3 (Far-red Elongated Hypocotyl3) accumulation, while the FHY3 interacts with HY5, and then enhances the accumulations of HY5, to improve the resistance to low temperatures by regulating the synthesis of ABA, the accumulation of inositol, the photoprotection pathway, and the CBF-mediated cold-resistant pathway [25,138,141,142,143]. When dealing with low temperatures, the phytochrome signaling pathway is actively involved in regulating the related genes and achieves effective control of low-temperature stress through the crosstalk with hormone signal pathways (Figure 3).

3.3. Phytochrome Signaling in Adaptation to Drought Stress

Water shortages are a major problem facing modern agriculture, which severely restricts crop growth and yield. Drought is harmful to plants, which compels plant to close stomata and accumulate ROS [144,145,146]. Under drought, plants launch a series of pathways to protect themselves, and ABA plays an indispensable role in drought resistance [24,147,148]. Numerous studies have shown that the phyB as well as PIFs can influence the content of ABA to regulate drought tolerance in plants [11,29,31,149,150,151,152]. PIFs can improve scavenging ability of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) to ROS under drought stresses and increase ABA content to initiate the expression of drought-related genes for greater drought tolerance [23,24,29,150,153,154]. PIFs can also promote stomatal closure to reduce transpiration rate and enhance drought tolerance [11,155]. Drought inhibits the expression of OsPIL1 and OsPIL13, while overexpression of OsPIL1 can enhance the resistance of rice to drought [156,157]. PHYB-deficient mutants of rice improve plant drought tolerance by reducing leaf area and stomatal density [152]. In Arabidopsis, phyB contributes to acclimation to drought stress by enhancing ABA sensitivity though altering expression of ABCG22, PYL5, RAB18 and RD29A [31]. In tomato, phyA and phyB mutants exhibited drought tolerance, but the mutant of rice phytochrome B (osphyB) negatively regulates tolerance to water deficiencies by controlling stomatal density and total leaf area [158,159]. In addition, under drought conditions, tomato DELLA regulates changes of ABA receptors by inhibiting the biosynthesis of GA, thereby increasing the sensitivity of stomata guard cells to ABA, causing the stomata to shut down prematurely, and regulating tomato resistance to drought, but low R:FR promotes phyB inactivation and DELLA degradation, reversing the positive regulatory role of phyB and DELLAs in plant resistance to drought [160,161]. Under high R:FR conditions, phyB can accelerate the consumption of water by increasing the density and index of stomata to adapt the plants to the high light [162]. However, the increased consumption of water caused by high light also serves as a compulsory signal, leading to an increase in the content of ABA and causing the stomata to close rapidly [31]. ABI5 is a key transcription factor in the ABA signaling pathway. HY5 and ABI5 can activate the expression of ABI5; the regulator BBX21 can interact with HY5 and then inhibit the activation of ABI5, thus integrating the light signaling pathway and the ABA signaling pathway [163]. FHY3/FAR1 (Far-red impaired response1) can also directly combine with the promoter of ABI5 and promote its transcription, thereby regulating seed germination and the response to drought stress [164]. In summary, the phytochrome signaling pathway mainly enables the regulation of plant resistance to drought through the ABA pathway and the expression of drought-related genes (Figure 4).

3.4. Phytochrome Signaling in Adaptation to Salt Stress

Unreasonable irrigation and excessive application of fertilizer are more likely to lead to soil salinization, thereby affecting crop growth, development, yield and quality. Salinity damage to plants is mainly reflected in oxidative stress, osmotic stress, and ion homeostasis [18]. Under salt stress, phytochrome-interacting factor-like 14 (OsPIL14) promotes mesocotyl and root growth by directly binding to promoters of cell elongation-related genes and regulating their expression [165]. The accumulation of PIF4 proteins can induce the expression of salt-related genes such as SAG29 and ORESARA1, giving plants the resistance to salt [166]. Salt stress also increased the stability of DELLA protein SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1), and through OsPIL14-SLR1 transcriptional module to fine-tune seedling growth [165,167]. PIF1 regulates gene expression to increase ABA and proline content to enhance salt tolerance, and PIF8 enhances scavenging of ROS by increasing water uptake, retention capacity and osmoregulatory capacity to reduce salinity damage [150,168]. FLS2 (Flagellin-sensitive 2) and RBOHD (oxidase homolog) can regulate the expression of PIF4, thereby regulating salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. HY5 modulates salt stress response by orchestrating transcription of HsfA2 in Arabidopsis, and the HY2 also acts as a NaCl signaling positive regulator during seed germination [169,170]. Red light increases the expression of genes involved in proline biosynthesis and metabolism, such as P5CS1 (Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase 1) and PDH1 (Proline dehydrogenase 1), which promote large amounts of proline and thus increase salt resistance, and the biological process requires the participation of HY5 [171,172,173]. Tomato phyB1 mutants lost salt tolerance under low R:FR, which suggests an important role of phytochrome B in mediating salt tolerance in plants under different ratios of R:FR [174]. However, phyA, phyB, and phyAB double mutants of Nicotiana tobacum all showed better salt tolerance compared to the wild type, which means that the PHYA and PHYB genes of tobacco negatively regulate salt resistance [175]. In Arabidopsis, phyA/phyB enhance SOS2-mediated PIF1/PIF3 phosphorylation and degradation, which can promote salt tolerance [176]. Both light signals and salt signals can regulate the nuclear import of COP1, and as an important inhibitor of the light signaling pathways, COP1 can negatively regulate the protein levels of HY5 and ABI5, thus promoting seed germination under salt stress [106]. In addition, the increased level of HY5 protein in the photomorphogenesis-related mutant det1 (de-etiolated 1) promotes the expression of ABI5, thereby making det1 more sensitive to salt, which significantly reduces the seed germination rate during salt stress [177]. When expressed in wheat, AtHFR1 can improve osmotic stress tolerances caused by NaCl and PEG during seed germination [178]. In general, under salt stress, phytochromes, PIFs, HY5, etc., through ABA, ROS, etc., regulate growth and development in plants (Figure 5).

3.5. Phytochrome Signaling in Adaptation to High-Intensity Light

High-intensity light (HIL) is also one of the abiotic stresses commonly encountered during plant growth and development. HIL can have a significant impact on the photosynthetic system of plants, and phytochromes, as photoreceptors play a positive role in adapting to HIL and regulating the plant photosynthetic system. Red and blue light stimulate the synthesis of chlorophyll and coordinate the positioning of leaves and chloroplasts to optimize the utilization of light [179]. Changes in light signals induce differential accumulation of phytochromes, while HIL hinders the synthesis and accumulation of chlorophyll and carotenoids, thereby regulating the photosynthetic system of tea plants under high light conditions [180]. In tomato, PHYB1 and PHYB2 antagonistically regulate various aspects of photosynthesis [181]. The phyA mutant of tomato showed reduced photosynthetic activity of the excised chloroplasts and decreased biomass in adult plants [179]. In the mutants of the photoreceptor, the effects of HIL on photosystem II (PSII) activity are different from those of WT. The expression of CHS and APX genes in phytochrome mutants decreases, key enzyme and antioxidant activities are lower, and pigment content is reduced, resulting in lower resistance of mutants to HIL [182]. HIL reduced the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of PSII, PSII performance index (PIABS), and photosynthetic and respiratory rates. The phyB mutant exhibited decreases in the expression of genes CHS, HY5, APX1, and GPX and decreases in the content of carotenoids and pigments that absorb ultraviolet light, resulting in a decrease in the photosynthetic activity of the phyB mutant [183]. Deletion of DET1 (De-etiolated 1) leads to pigment accumulation and increased expression of the CHS and HY5 genes, resulting in a greater adaptation to HIL [184]. In phyB mutants, ROS cannot accumulate in cells in response to excess light stress [33]. The ROS wave triggered by the excess light stress, as well as the excess light-stress-triggered local and systemic stomatal aperture closure responses, all depend on the function of phyB [185]. Based on the above, the phytochrome signaling pathways regulate plant tolerance to HIL stress by altering the expressions of genes and activities of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Table 1. Regulation of abiotic/biotic stress by phytochrome signaling pathways.
Table 1. Regulation of abiotic/biotic stress by phytochrome signaling pathways.
StressFactorFunction
High temperaturephyBphyB is a temperature sensor. Temperature increase promotes the transformation of phyB into Pr, without relying on light [109,111].
Modulates the accumulation of chlorophyll and carotenoid under high-temperature [113].
Perceives shade signals, endowing Arabidopsis with heat resistance [114].
High temperature and phyB antagonistically coordinate seed germination [115].
Initiate HsfA1 mediated expression of the APX2 to accelerate the removal of ROS [129].
HFR1S-nitrosylation and degradation of HFR1 play a role in high-temperature suppressing germination [115].
PIFsPIF4 abundantly expressed to initiate a protective pathway in plants under high temperature [81,117,118].
PIF4 Regulate the expression of NAC019, IAA29, SAG113, NAC019, CBF2, TCP17 and HsfA2 [30,81,117,118,123,124].
Under high temperature, plants rapidly accumulate PIF7, inducing transcription of YUC8/9, IAA19/29 to initiate the thermomorphogenesis [118,126].
COP1, HY5High temperatures cause COP1 to enter nucleus and degrade HY5 [105].
Low temperaturePIFsRegulate CBF expression to reduce plant freezing resistance [84,131,132,133].
increases the activity of SOD to enhance cold tolerance in citrus [92]
PHYsphyBPositively regulate freezing tolerance by growth-related and stress-responsive genes [26].
PhyA and phyB antagonistically regulate cold tolerance [134,135,136].
HY5Regulate expression of NCED6 and GA2ox4 to reduce GA/ABA ratio [25,140].
induces the expression of CAB1 to mediate the process of cooling domestication and enhance cold resistance in plants [138].
Alter the expression of BBX7 and BBX8 to integrate light and cold signaling pathways [139].
FHY3FHY3 interacts with HY5, and then enhances the accumulations of HY5 and the synthesis of ABA [25,138,141,142,143]
Drought stressPIFsImprove scavenging ability to ROS under drought stresses [24].
Increase ABA content and initiate the expression of drought-related genes [23,24,29,153].
Promote stomatal closure [11,155].
PHYsRice PHYB-deficient mutants reduce leaf area and stomatal density [152].
phyB can enhance ABA sensitivity though altering expression of ABCG22, PYL5, RAB18 and RD29A [31].
In tomato, phyA and phyB mutants exhibited drought tolerance [158].
HY5HY5 can activate the expression of ABI5 [163].
FHY3/FAR1FHY3/FAR1 can promote the transcription of ABI5, thereby regulating the response to drought stress [164]
Salt stressPIFsUnder salt stress, OsPIL14 promotes mesocotyl and root growth, by regulating cell elongation-related genes [165].
PIF1 regulates gene expression to increase ABA and proline content [168].
PIF4 proteins can induce the expression SAG29 and ORESARA1, giving plant the resistance to salt [166]
PIF8 enhances scavenging of ROS by increased water uptake, retention and osmoregulatory capacity to reduce salinity damage [150].
HY5Modulate salt stress response by orchestrating transcription of HsfA2 [169].
HY5 promotes the expression of ABI5 [177].
HY2Act as a positive regulator during seed germination [170].
COP1COP1 can negatively regulate the protein levels of HY5 and ABI5, thus promoting seed germination under salt stress [106].
HFR1AtHFR1 can improve osmotic-stress tolerances in wheat [178].
PHYsPHYB mediate salt tolerance under different ratio of R:FR [174].
PHYA and PHYB negatively regulate salt resistance [175].
High intensity lightPHYBIn tomato, PHYB1 and PHYB2 antagonistically regulate various aspects of photosynthesis [181]
The phyB mutant resulted in a decrease in photosynthetic activity [183]
In phyB mutant, ROS cannot accumulate in cells in response to excess light stress [33]
The ROS wave triggered by the excess light stress, as well as the excess light-stress-triggered local and systemic stomatal aperture closure responses, all depend on the function of phyB [185].
PHYAThe phyA mutant of tomato showed reduced photosynthetic activity of the excised chloroplasts and decreased biomass in adult plants [179].
DET1Deletion of DET1 (De-etiolated 1) results in a greater adaptation to HIL [184].
Biotic stressesPIF8PIF8 Inhibits the expression of WRKY42 and ICS, negatively regulating SA biosynthesis and powdery mildew resistance [63]
FHY3/FAR1Enhance the resistance to plant disease by regulating the concentration of SA [64].
PHYsPHYB Weaken the promotion of JA signaling by MYC2, and reduce the sensitivity to biotic stress [20,186,187].
phyB not only enhanced the inhibition of the JA signaling pathway but also reduced the density of trichomes, ultimately weakening defense [188].
phyA/B interfere with SA- or JA-mediated plant defense systems [189,190,191].
Mutation of PHYB enhances the resistance to sheath blight by increasing the uptake of NH4+ [14].
osphyB has a better resistance to brown planthopper under dim light [13].

4. Phytochrome Signaling in Adaptation to Biotic Stresses

Unlike animals, plants cannot move to escape the harms of biotic stresses. In the face of biotic stresses, plants can rapidly increase the transcription of chitinase-related genes and use chitinase to resist biological harm, and specialized antimicrobial metabolites can also be produced for specific pathogenic microbial injuries [192,193]. In addition, plants adjust hormones such as ET, SA, and JA to initiate relevant defense mechanisms [21,194]. Notably, studies have shown that phytochromes play a role not only in the exposure of plants to abiotic stresses but also in biotic stresses [195,196]. Light, perceived by phyB and other photoreceptors, helps plants focus their defensive arsenals on photosynthetically valuable leaves coping with biotic stresses [197] (Figure 6).
JA plays an important role in plant response to biotic stresses [198], and can rapidly accumulate within 30 min after being biologically nibbled to initiate plant defense mechanisms [16]. Studies have found that inactivation of phyB in plants can lower the level of DELLA protein, reducing of the DELLA-JAZ complex and causing more binding of JAZ10 to MYC2, weakening the promotion of the JA signaling pathway by MYC2, and reducing the sensitivity of plants to biotic stress [20,186,187]. In tomato, mutations of phyB not only enhanced the inhibition of the JA signaling pathway by JAZ-blocking proteins, but also reduced the density of trichomes on plant leaves and stems, ultimately weakening physical defense [188]. phyAphyB28, the Nicotiana tabacum mutant of phytochrome A/B, exhibit lower resistance to Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), which means phyA and phyB positively regulated defense responses to ChiVMV infection and the process relies on the JA and SA defense pathways [189] (Figure 6).
SA has a very important role in plant defense, which can act as a signal to initiate plant defense and as an important component of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants [21,22]. The phytochrome-induced signaling pathway interacts with the SA-mediated signal transduction route to influence the SAR against pathogens by regulating pathogenesis-related proteins [199,200] (Figure 6). PHYA and PHYB were shown to regulate the accumulation of SA and interfere with SA-mediated plant defense systems on the defense of Cucumber mottle virus (CMV) in N. tabacum [190,191]. Similarly, in N. tabacum NC89, it was verified that deletion of PHYA and PHYB could affect the expression of SA signaling related genes NPR1, PR1 and PR2 to reduce the resistance to ChiVMV [189]. Not only that, PHYA, PHYB, and PHYC are also found to regulate the SA and JA signaling pathways in rice, which are required for developmentally controlled resistance to Magnaporthe grisea [201]. In addition, phyB mutation can enhance the resistance to sheath blight (ShB) by increasing the uptake of NH4+ [14]. Dim light reduces rice resistance to the brown planthopper (BPH) relying on elevating ET biosynthesis and signaling in a phyB-dependent manner, which means mutations of osphyB have better resistance to the BPH under dim light [13]. PIF8 inhibits the expression of WRKY42 and ICS (Isochorismate Synthate) by binding to their promoters, negatively regulating SA biosynthesis and powdery mildew resistance [90]. Furthermore, FHY3 and FAR1 also regulate the concentration of SA and enhance resistance to plant disease [202].
In addition to participating in the regulation of the JA and SA signaling pathways, the light signaling pathway can also regulate plant tolerance to biotic stresses through other means (Figure 6). PIF3 negatively regulates the expression of plant defense genes and resistance to Pseudomonas syringae (DC3000) in Arabidopsis, and the phosphorylation of PIF3 is required for the negative regulation of plant immunity [203]. In sweet potato, IbPIF3.1 was strongly induced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas (Fob) and stem nematodes; ectopic expression of IbPIF3.1 in tobacco significantly enhanced Fusarium wilt tolerance of transgenic plants [204].

5. Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives

In the past few decades, researchers have conducted in-depth and comprehensive studies of the light signaling pathways and photomorphogenesis with the aid of the model plant Arabidopsis, which have advanced the understanding of the regulation of growth and development by the light signaling pathway. Phytochromes are important photoreceptors for plants to sense changing light in the external environment. Phytochromes are not only able to perceive diurnal and seasonal changes but also respond to extreme environmental stresses, which should not be overlooked. The role of phytochrome and phytochrome signaling pathways in diverse stresses has been studied in rice, wheat, tomato, and other crops, mainly through interactions between phytochrome signaling and hormone signaling pathways. However, the function identification and molecular regulation mechanisms of the key regulating factors in crop phytochrome signaling pathways still need further study, and the practice of achieving biological breeding and crop improvement through genetically improved photoreceptors and the light signaling pathway components needs further exploration and perfection. We believe that would be an economically efficient strategy to guide breeding and production practices by exploring the regulatory network between light signals and abiotic or biotic stresses. For example, we can regulate seed germination, chlorophyll synthesis, and removal of ROS under high-temperature stress through phyB. We can also improve crop tolerance to salt stress by modifying PIF genes to regulate salt-stress-related genes, ABA enrichment, and ROS clearance.

Author Contributions

The authors confirm their contributions to this work: X.Q. and G.S., in conceptualization, original draft preparation, and writing; and F.L. and W.H., in revising and review. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (20224BAB215002 to F.L.), the Jiangxi Provincial Introduced Intelligence Program (20212BCJ25024 to F.L.), the Jiangxi Provincial International Science and Technology Cooperation Program (S2023KJHZH0040 to F.L.), the Jiangxi Provincial Introduced Intelligence Program (20212BCJ25025 to W.H.), the Jiujiang City “double hundred double thousand” talent project to W.H., and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32160099 to W.H.).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

We apologize to the authors whose works are not cited because of space limitations.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Casal, J.J.; Candia, A.N.; Sellaro, R. Light perception and signalling by phytochrome A. J. Exp. Bot. 2014, 65, 2835–2845. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Rockwell, N.C.; Su, Y.S.; Lagarias, J.C. Phytochrome structure and signaling mechanisms. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2006, 57, 837–858. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Li, J.; Li, G.; Wang, H.; Wang Deng, X. Phytochrome signaling mechanisms. Arab. Book 2011, 9, e0148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Lee, N.; Choi, G. Phytochrome-interacting factor from Arabidopsis to liverwort. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 2017, 35, 54–60. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Han, X.; Huang, X.; Deng, X.W. The Photomorphogenic Central Repressor COP1: Conservation and Functional Diversification during Evolution. Plant Commun. 2020, 1, 100044. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Tripathi, S.; Hoang, Q.T.N.; Han, Y.J.; Kim, J.I. Regulation of photomorphogenic development by plant phytochromes. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 6165. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  7. Bae, G.; Choi, G. Decoding of light signals by plant phytochromes and their interacting proteins. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2008, 59, 281–311. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Izawa, T.; Oikawa, T.; Tokutomi, S.; Okuno, K.; Shimamoto, K. Phytochromes confer the photoperiodic control of flowering in rice (a short-day plant). Plant J. 2000, 22, 391–399. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Shi, H.; Zhong, S.; Mo, X.; Liu, N.; Nezames, C.D.; Deng, X.W. HFR1 sequesters PIF1 to govern the transcriptional network underlying light-initiated seed germination in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 2013, 25, 3770–3784. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Chen, A.; Li, C.; Hu, W.; Lau, M.Y.; Lin, H.; Rockwell, N.C.; Martin, S.S.; Jernstedt, J.A.; Lagarias, J.C.; Dubcovsky, J. Phytochrome C plays a major role in the acceleration of wheat flowering under long-day photoperiod. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2014, 111, 10037–10044. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Gao, Y.; Wu, M.; Zhang, M.; Jiang, W.; Ren, X.; Liang, E.; Zhang, D.; Zhang, C.; Xiao, N.; Li, Y.; et al. A maize phytochrome-interacting factors protein ZmPIF1 enhances drought tolerance by inducing stomatal closure and improves grain yield in Oryza sativa. Plant Biotechnol. J. 2018, 16, 1375–1387. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Lee, J.H.; Park, Y.J.; Kim, J.Y.; Park, C.M. Phytochrome B conveys low ambient temperature cues to the ethylene-mediated leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Physiol. 2022, 63, 326–339. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Huang, J.; Qiu, Z.Y.; He, J.; Xu, H.S.; Wang, K.; Du, H.Y.; Gao, D.; Zhao, W.N.; Sun, Q.G.; Wang, Y.S.; et al. Phytochrome B mediates dim-light-reduced insect resistance by promoting the ethylene pathway in rice. Plant Physiol. 2023, 191, 1272–1287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  14. Jung, J.H.; Li, Z.; Chen, H.; Yang, S.; Li, D.; Priatama, R.A.; Kumar, V.; Xuan, Y.H. Mutation of phytochrome B promotes resistance to sheath blight and saline-alkaline stress via increasing ammonium uptake in rice. Plant J. 2023, 113, 277–290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  15. Chinnusamy, V.; Zhu, J.; Zhu, J.K. Cold stress regulation of gene expression in plants. Trends Plant Sci. 2007, 12, 444–451. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  16. Howe, G.A.; Jander, G. Plant immunity to insect herbivores. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2008, 59, 41–66. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Wasternack, C.; Hause, B. Jasmonates: Biosynthesis, perception, signal transduction and action in plant stress response, growth and development. An update to the 2007 review in Annals of Botany. Ann. Bot. 2013, 111, 1021–1058. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Zhao, C.; Zhang, H.; Song, C.; Zhu, J.K.; Shabala, S. Mechanisms of plant responses and adaptation to soil salinity. Innov. Camb. 2020, 1, 100017. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Manghwar, H.; Hussain, A.; Ali, Q.; Liu, F. Brassinosteroids (BRs) role in plant development and coping with different stresses. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 1012. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. de Wit, M.; Spoel, S.H.; Sanchez-Perez, G.F.; Gommers, C.M.M.; Pieterse, C.M.J.; Voesenek, L.A.C.J.; Pierik, R. Perception of low red:far-red ratio compromises both salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid-dependent pathogen defences in Arabidopsis. Plant J. 2013, 75, 90–103. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Shigenaga, A.M.; Argueso, C.T. No hormone to rule them all: Interactions of plant hormones during the responses of plants to pathogens. Semin. Cell Dev. Biol. 2016, 56, 174–189. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  22. Klessig, D.F.; Choi, H.W.; Dempsey, D.A. Systemic acquired resistance and salicylic acid: Past, present, and future. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 2018, 31, 871–888. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Li, S.; Li, X.; Wei, Z.; Liu, F. ABA-mediated modulation of elevated CO2 on stomatal response to drought. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 2020, 56, 174–180. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Liu, H.; Song, S.; Zhang, H.; Li, Y.; Niu, L.; Zhang, J.; Wang, W. Signaling transduction of ABA, ROS, and Ca2+ in plant stomatal closure in response to drought. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 14824. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Wang, F.; Zhang, L.; Chen, X.; Wu, X.; Xiang, X.; Zhou, J.; Xia, X.; Shi, K.; Yu, J.; Foyer, C.H.; et al. SlHY5 integrates temperature, light, and hormone signaling to balance plant growth and cold tolerance. Plant Physiol. 2019, 179, 749–760. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Jiang, B.; Shi, Y.; Peng, Y.; Jia, Y.; Yan, Y.; Dong, X.; Li, H.; Dong, J.; Li, J.; Gong, Z.; et al. Cold-induced CBF-PIF3 interaction enhances freezing tolerance by stabilizing the phyB thermosensor in Arabidopsis. Mol. Plant 2020, 13, 894–906. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Major, I.T.; Guo, Q.; Zhai, J.; Kapali, G.; Kramer, D.M.; Howe, G.A. A phytochrome B-independent pathway restricts growth at high levels of Jasmonate defense. Plant Physiol. 2020, 183, 733–749. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Wang, F.; Chen, X.; Dong, S.; Jiang, X.; Wang, L.; Yu, J.; Zhou, Y. Crosstalk of PIF4 and DELLA modulates CBF transcript and hormone homeostasis in cold response in tomato. Plant Biotechnol. J. 2020, 18, 1041–1055. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Wang, X.R.; Wang, Y.H.; Jia, M.; Zhang, R.R.; Liu, H.; Xu, Z.S.; Xiong, A.S. The phytochrome-interacting factor DcPIF3 of carrot plays a positive role in drought stress by increasing endogenous ABA level in Arabidopsis. Plant Sci. 2022, 322, 111367. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Yang, J.; Qu, X.; Ji, L.; Li, G.; Wang, C.; Wang, C.; Zhang, Y.; Zheng, L.; Li, W.; Zheng, X. PIF4 promotes expression of HSFA2 to enhance basal thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 6017. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. González, C.V.; Ibarra, S.E.; Piccoli, P.N.; Botto, J.F.; Boccalandro, H.E. Phytochrome B increases drought tolerance by enhancing ABA sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell Environ. 2012, 35, 1958–1968. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Janda, T.; Prerostova, S.; Vankova, R.; Darko, E. Crosstalk between light- and temperature-mediated processes under cold and heat stress conditions in plants. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 8602. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Fichman, Y.; Xiong, H.; Sengupta, S.; Morrow, J.; Loog, H.; Azad, R.K.; Hibberd, J.M.; Liscum, E.; Mittler, R. Phytochrome B regulates reactive oxygen signaling during abiotic and biotic stress in plants. New Phytol. 2022, 237, 1711–1727. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. Cashmore, A.R.; Jarillo, J.A.; Wu, Y.J.; Liu, D. Cryptochromes: Blue light receptors for plants and animals. Science 1999, 284, 760–765. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  35. Deng, X.W.; Quail, P.H. Signaling in light-controlled development. Semin. Cell Dev. Biol. 1999, 10, 121–129. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Casal, J.J. Phytochromes, cryptochromes, phototropin: Photoreceptor interactions in plants. Photochem. Photobiol. 2000, 71, 1–11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Smith, H. Phytochromes and light signal perception by plants-an emerging synthesis. Nature 2000, 407, 585–591. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  38. Briggs, W.R.; Christie, J.M. Phototropins 1 and 2: Versatile plant blue-light receptors. Trends Plant Sci. 2002, 7, 204–210. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Lin, C. Blue light receptors and signal transduction. Plant Cell 2002, 14 (Suppl. 1), S207–S225. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Quail, P.H. Phytochrome photosensory signalling networks. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2002, 3, 85–93. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Clack, T.; Mathews, S.; Sharrock, R.A. The phytochrome apoprotein family in Arabidopsis is encoded by five genes: The sequences and expression of PHYD and PHYE. Plant Mol. Biol. 1994, 25, 413–427. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  42. Briggs, W.R.; Beck, C.F.; Cashmore, A.R.; Christie, J.M.; Hughes, J.; Jarillo, J.A.; Kagawa, T.; Kanegae, H.; Liscum, E.; Nagatani, A.; et al. The phototropin family of photoreceptors. Plant Cell 2001, 13, 993–997. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Li, B.; Du, X.; Fei, Y.; Wang, F.; Xu, Y.; Li, X.; Li, W.; Chen, Z.; Fan, F.; Wang, J.; et al. Efficient Breeding of Early-Maturing Rice Cultivar by Editing PHYC via CRISPR/Cas9. Rice 2021, 14, 86. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  44. Nishida, H.; Ishihara, D.; Ishii, M.; Kaneko, T.; Kawahigashi, H.; Akashi, Y.; Saisho, D.; Tanaka, K.; Handa, H.; Takeda, K.; et al. Phytochrome C is a key factor controlling long-day flowering in barley. Plant Physiol. 2013, 163, 804–814. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  45. Ishikawa, R.; Aoki, M.; Kurotani, K.; Yokoi, S.; Shinomura, T.; Takano, M.; Shimamoto, K. Phytochrome B regulates Heading date 1 (Hd1)-mediated expression of rice florigen Hd3a and critical day length in rice. Mol. Genet. Genom. 2011, 285, 461–470. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Briggs, W.R.; Olney, M.A. Photoreceptors in plant photomorphogenesis to date. Five phytochromes, two cryptochromes, one phototropin, and one superchrome. Plant Physiol. 2001, 125, 85–88. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Mathews, S. Evolutionary studies illuminate the structural-functional model of plant phytochromes. Plant Cell 2010, 22, 4–16. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  48. Li, F.W.; Melkonian, M.; Rothfels, C.J.; Villarreal, J.C.; Stevenson, D.W.; Graham, S.W.; Wong, G.K.; Pryer, K.M.; Mathews, S. Phytochrome diversity in green plants and the origin of canonical plant phytochromes. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 7852. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Ogihara, Y.S.H.; Hasegawa, K.; Tsujimoto, H.; Sasakuma, T. Chromosome assignment of four photosynthesis-related genes and their variability in wheat species. Theor. Appl. Genet. 1994, 88, 383–394. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Devos, K.M.; Beales, J.; Ogihara, Y.; Doust, A.N. Comparative sequence analysis of the Phytochrome C gene and its upstream region in allohexaploid wheat reveals new data on the evolution of its three constituent genomes. Plant Mol. Biol. 2005, 58, 625–641. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  51. Kulshreshtha, R.; Kumar, N.; Balyan, H.S.; Gupta, P.K.; Khurana, P.; Tyagi, A.K.; Khurana, J.P. Structural characterization, expression analysis and evolution of the red/far-red sensing photoreceptor gene, phytochrome C (PHYC), localized on the ‘B’ genome of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Planta 2005, 221, 675–689. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  52. Sawers, R.J.; Linley, P.J.; Farmer, P.R.; Hanley, N.P.; Costich, D.E.; Terry, M.J.; Brutnell, T.P. Elongated mesocotyl1, a phytochrome-deficient mutant of maize. Plant Physiol. 2002, 130, 155–163. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  53. Takano, M.; Inagaki, N.; Xie, X.; Kiyota, S.; Baba-Kasai, A.; Tanabata, T.; Shinomura, T. Phytochromes are the sole photoreceptors for perceiving red/far-red light in rice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2009, 106, 14705–14710. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  54. Jones, A.M.; Quail, P.H. Quaternary structure of 124-kilodalton phytochrome from Avena sativa L. Biochemistry 1986, 25, 2987–2995. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  55. Siegelman, H.W.; Turner, B.C.; Hendricks, S.B. The chromophore of phytochrome. Plant Physiol. 1966, 41, 1289–1292. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  56. Abe, H.Y.K.; Nagatani, A.; Furuya, M. Characterization of green tissues-specific phytochrome isolated immunologically from pea seedlings. Plant Cell Physiol. 1985, 26, 1387–1399. [Google Scholar]
  57. Li, J.; Hiltbrunner, A. Is the Pr form of phytochrome biologically active in the nucleus? Mol. Plant 2021, 14, 535–537. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  58. Lamparter, T.; Mittmann, F.; Gartner, W.; Borner, T.; Hartmann, E.; Hughes, J. Characterization of recombinant phytochrome from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1997, 94, 11792–11797. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Wu, S.H.; Lagarias, J.C. Defining the bilin lyase domain: Lessons from the extended phytochrome superfamily. Biochemistry 2000, 39, 13487–13495. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  60. Lamparter, T.; Carrascal, M.; Michael, N.; Martinez, E.; Rottwinkel, G.; Abian, J. The biliverdin chromophore binds covalently to a conserved cysteine residue in the N-terminus of Agrobacterium phytochrome Agp1. Biochemistry 2004, 43, 3659–3669. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Jones, M.D.E.A.A.M. Localization of protein-protein lnteractions between subunits of phytochrome. Plant Cell 1992, 4, 161–171. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  62. Hiltbrunner, A.; Tscheuschler, A.; Viczian, A.; Kunkel, T.; Kircher, S.; Schafer, E. FHY1 and FHL act together to mediate nuclear accumulation of the phytochrome A photoreceptor. Plant Cell Physiol. 2006, 47, 1023–1034. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  63. Hiltbrunner, A.; Viczian, A.; Bury, E.; Tscheuschler, A.; Kircher, S.; Toth, R.; Honsberger, A.; Nagy, F.; Fankhauser, C.; Schafer, E. Nuclear accumulation of the phytochrome A photoreceptor requires FHY1. Curr. Biol. 2005, 15, 2125–2130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  64. Castillon, A.; Shen, H.; Huq, E. Phytochrome interacting factors: Central players in phytochrome-mediated light signaling networks. Trends Plant Sci. 2007, 12, 514–521. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  65. Leivar, P.; Quail, P.H. PIFs: Pivotal components in a cellular signaling hub. Trends Plant Sci. 2011, 16, 19–28. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  66. Khanna, R.; Huq, E.; Kikis, E.A.; Al-Sady, B.; Lanzatella, C.; Quail, P.H. A novel molecular recognition motif necessary for targeting photoactivated phytochrome signaling to specific basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors. Plant Cell 2004, 16, 3033–3044. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  67. Al-Sady, B.; Ni, W.; Kircher, S.; Schafer, E.; Quail, P.H. Photoactivated phytochrome induces rapid PIF3 phosphorylation prior to proteasome-mediated degradation. Mol. Cell 2006, 23, 439–446. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  68. Pham, V.N.; Kathare, P.K.; Huq, E. Phytochromes and phytochrome interacting factors. Plant Physiol. 2018, 176, 1025–1038. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Shin, J.; Kim, K.; Kang, H.; Zulfugarov, I.S.; Bae, G.; Lee, C.H.; Lee, D.; Choi, G. Phytochromes promote seedling light responses by inhibiting four negatively-acting phytochrome-interacting factors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2009, 106, 7660–7665. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Leivar, P.; Monte, E.; Oka, Y.; Liu, T.; Carle, C.; Castillon, A.; Huq, E.; Quail, P.H. Multiple phytochrome-interacting bHLH transcription factors repress premature seedling photomorphogenesis in darkness. Curr. Biol. 2008, 18, 1815–1823. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  71. Luo, Q.; Lian, H.L.; He, S.B.; Li, L.; Jia, K.P.; Yang, H.Q. COP1 and phyB physically interact with PIL1 to regulate its stability and photomorphogenic development in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 2014, 26, 2441–2456. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  72. Penfield, S.; Josse, E.M.; Halliday, K.J. A role for an alternative splice variant of PIF6 in the control of Arabidopsis primary seed dormancy. Plant Mol. Biol. 2010, 73, 89–95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  73. Zhang, Y.; Wu, Z.; Feng, M.; Chen, J.; Qin, M.; Wang, W.; Bao, Y.; Xu, Q.; Ye, Y.; Ma, C.; et al. The circadian-controlled PIF8–BBX28 module regulates petal senescence in rose flowers by governing mitochondrial ROS homeostasis at night. Plant Cell 2021, 33, 2716–2735. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  74. Nusinow, D.A.; Helfer, A.; Hamilton, E.E.; King, J.J.; Imaizumi, T.; Schultz, T.F.; Farre, E.M.; Kay, S.A. The ELF4-ELF3-LUX complex links the circadian clock to diurnal control of hypocotyl growth. Nature 2011, 475, 398–402. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  75. Dong, J.; Tang, D.; Gao, Z.; Yu, R.; Li, K.; He, H.; Terzaghi, W.; Deng, X.W.; Chen, H. Arabidopsis DE-ETIOLATED1 represses photomorphogenesis by positively regulating phytochrome-interacting factors in the dark. Plant Cell 2014, 26, 3630–3645. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  76. Zhu, J.Y.; Oh, E.; Wang, T.; Wang, Z.Y. TOC1-PIF4 interaction mediates the circadian gating of thermoresponsive growth in Arabidopsis. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 13692. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  77. Paik, I.; Kathare, P.K.; Kim, J.I.; Huq, E. Expanding roles of PIFs in signal integration from multiple processes. Mol. Plant 2017, 10, 1035–1046. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  78. Shor, E.; Paik, I.; Kangisser, S.; Green, R.; Huq, E. phytochrome interacting factors mediate metabolic control of the circadian system in Arabidopsis. New Phytol. 2017, 215, 217–228. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  79. Jiang, Y.; Yang, C.; Huang, S.; Xie, F.; Xu, Y.; Liu, C.; Li, L. The ELF3-PIF7 interaction mediates the circadian gating of the shade response in Arabidopsis. iScience 2019, 22, 288–298. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  80. Koini, M.A.; Alvey, L.; Allen, T.; Tilley, C.A.; Harberd, N.P.; Whitelam, G.C.; Franklin, K.A. High temperature-mediated adaptations in plant architecture require the bHLH transcription factor PIF4. Curr. Biol. 2009, 19, 408–413. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  81. Franklin, K.A.; Lee, S.H.; Patel, D.; Kumar, S.V.; Spartz, A.K.; Gu, C.; Ye, S.Q.; Yu, P.; Breen, G.; Cohen, J.D.; et al. Phytochrome-interacting factor 4 (PIF4) regulates auxin biosynthesis at high temperature. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2011, 108, 20231–20235. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  82. Kumar, S.V.; Lucyshyn, D.; Jaeger, K.E.; Alos, E.; Alvey, E.; Harberd, N.P.; Wigge, P.A. Transcription factor PIF4 controls the thermosensory activation of flowering. Nature 2012, 484, 242–245. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  83. Sun, J.; Qi, L.; Li, Y.; Chu, J.; Li, C. PIF4-mediated activation of YUCCA8 expression integrates temperature into the auxin pathway in regulating Arabidopsis hypocotyl growth. PLoS Genet. 2012, 8, e1002594. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  84. Jiang, B.; Shi, Y.; Zhang, X.; Xin, X.; Qi, L.; Guo, H.; Li, J.; Yang, S. PIF3 is a negative regulator of the CBF pathway and freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2017, 114, E6695–E6702. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  85. Xu, D.; Deng, X.W. CBF-phyB-PIF module links light and low temperature signaling. Trends Plant Sci. 2020, 25, 952–954. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  86. Gramegna, G.; Rosado, D.; Sanchez Carranza, A.P.; Cruz, A.B.; Simon-Moya, M.; Llorente, B.; Rodriguez-Concepcion, M.; Freschi, L.; Rossi, M. PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 3 mediates light-dependent induction of tocopherol biosynthesis during tomato fruit ripening. Plant Cell Environ. 2019, 42, 1328–1339. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  87. Sakuraba, Y.; Jeong, J.; Kang, M.Y.; Kim, J.; Paek, N.C.; Choi, G. Phytochrome-interacting transcription factors PIF4 and PIF5 induce leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 4636. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  88. Gangappa, S.N.; Berriri, S.; Kumar, S.V. PIF4 coordinates thermosensory growth and immunity in Arabidopsis. Curr. Biol. 2017, 27, 243–249. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  89. Kim, C.; Kim, S.J.; Jeong, J.; Park, E.; Oh, E.; Park, Y.I.; Lim, P.O.; Choi, G. High ambient temperature accelerates leaf senescence via PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 4 and 5 in Arabidopsis. Mol. Cells 2020, 43, 645–661. [Google Scholar]
  90. Wang, L.; Wu, X.; Xing, Q.; Zhao, Y.; Yu, B.; Ma, Y.; Wang, F.; Qi, H. PIF8-WRKY42-mediated salicylic acid synthesis modulates red light induced powdery mildew resistance in oriental melon. Plant Cell Environ. 2023, 46, 1726–1742. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  91. Ding, J.; Zhang, B.; Li, Y.; André, D.; Nilsson, O. Phytochrome B and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR8 modulate seasonal growth in trees. New Phytol. 2021, 232, 2339–2352. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  92. He, Z.; Zhao, T.; Yin, Z.; Liu, J.; Cheng, Y.; Xu, J. The phytochrome-interacting transcription factor CsPIF8 contributes to cold tolerance in citrus by regulating superoxide dismutase expression. Plant Sci. 2020, 298, 110584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  93. Oh, J.; Park, E.; Song, K.; Bae, G.; Choi, G. PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR8 inhibits phytochrome A-mediated Far-red light responses in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 2020, 32, 186–205. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  94. de Lucas, M.; Prat, S. PIFs get BRright: PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs as integrators of light and hormonal signals. New Phytol. 2014, 202, 1126–1141. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  95. de Wit, M.; Galvao, V.C.; Fankhauser, C. Light-mediated hormonal regulation of plant growth and development. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2016, 67, 513–537. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  96. Oyama, T.; Shimura, Y.; Okada, K. The Arabidopsis HY5 gene encodes a bZIP protein that regulates stimulus-induced development of root and hypocotyl. Genes. Dev. 1997, 11, 2983–2995. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  97. Osterlund, M.T.; Hardtke, C.S.; Wei, N.; Deng, X.W. Targeted destabilization of HY5 during light-regulated development of Arabidopsis. Nature 2000, 405, 462–466. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  98. Ulm, R.; Baumann, A.; Oravecz, A.; Mate, Z.; Adam, E.; Oakeley, E.J.; Schafer, E.; Nagy, F. Genome-wide analysis of gene expression reveals function of the bZIP transcription factor HY5 in the UV-B response of Arabidopsis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2004, 101, 1397–1402. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  99. Yang, Y.; Liang, T.; Zhang, L.; Shao, K.; Gu, X.; Shang, R.; Shi, N.; Li, X.; Zhang, P.; Liu, H. UVR8 interacts with WRKY36 to regulate HY5 transcription and hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis. Nat. Plants 2018, 4, 98–107. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  100. Lee, J.; He, K.; Stolc, V.; Lee, H.; Figueroa, P.; Gao, Y.; Tongprasit, W.; Zhao, H.; Lee, I.; Deng, X.W. Analysis of transcription factor HY5 genomic binding sites revealed its hierarchical role in light regulation of development. Plant Cell 2007, 19, 731–749. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  101. Zhang, H.; He, H.; Wang, X.; Wang, X.; Yang, X.; Li, L.; Deng, X.W. Genome-wide mapping of the HY5-mediated gene networks in Arabidopsis that involve both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Plant J. 2011, 65, 346–358. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  102. Osterlund, M.T.; Wei, N.; Deng, X.W. The roles of photoreceptor systems and the COP1-targeted destabilization of HY5 in light control of Arabidopsis seedling development. Plant Physiol. 2000, 124, 1520–1524. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  103. Hardtke, C.S.; Gohda, K.; Osterlund, M.T.; Oyama, T. HY5 stability and activity in Arabidopsis is regulated by phosphorylation in its COP1 binding domain. EMBO J. 2000, 19, 4997–5006. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  104. Ang, L.H.; Chattopadhyay, S.; Wei, N.; Oyama, T.; Okada, K.; Batschauer, A.; Deng, X.W. Molecular interaction between COP1 and HY5 defines a regulatory switch for light control of Arabidopsis development. Mol. Cell 1998, 1, 213–222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  105. Park, Y.J.; Lee, H.J.; Ha, J.H.; Kim, J.Y.; Park, C.M. COP1 conveys warm temperature information to hypocotyl thermomorphogenesis. New Phytol. 2017, 215, 269–280. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  106. Yu, Y.; Wang, J.; Shi, H.; Gu, J.; Dong, J.; Deng, X.W.; Huang, R. Salt stress and ethylene antagonistically regulate nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of COP1 to control seed germination. Plant Physiol. 2016, 170, 2340–2350. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  107. Park, Y.J.; Lee, H.J.; Gil, K.E.; Kim, J.Y.; Lee, J.H.; Lee, H.; Cho, H.T.; Vu, L.D.; De Smet, I.; Park, C.M. Developmental programming of thermonastic leaf movement. Plant Physiol. 2019, 180, 1185–1197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  108. Quint, M.; Delker, C.; Franklin, K.A.; Wigge, P.A.; Halliday, K.J.; van Zanten, M. Molecular and genetic control of plant thermomorphogenesis. Nat. Plants 2016, 2, 15190. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  109. Legris, M.; Klose, C.; Burgie, E.S.; Rojas, C.C.; Neme, M.; Hiltbrunner, A.; Wigge, P.A.; Schafer, E.; Vierstra, R.D.; Casal, J.J. Phytochrome B integrates light and temperature signals in Arabidopsis. Science 2016, 354, 897–900. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  110. Casal, J.J.; Questa, J.I. Light and temperature cues: Multitasking receptors and transcriptional integrators. New Phytol. 2018, 217, 1029–1034. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  111. Jung, J.-H.; Domijan, M.; Klose, C.; Biswas, S.; Ezer, D.; Gao, M.; Khattak, A.K.; Box, M.S.; Charoensawan, V.; Cortijo, S.; et al. Phytochromes function as thermosensors in Arabidopsis. Science 2016, 354, 886–889. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  112. Song, J.; Liu, Q.; Hu, B.; Wu, W. Photoreceptor PhyB Involved in Arabidopsis Temperature Perception and Heat-Tolerance Formation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18, 1194. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  113. Bianchetti, R.; De Luca, B.; de Haro, L.A.; Rosado, D.; Demarco, D.; Conte, M.; Bermudez, L.; Freschi, L.; Fernie, A.R.; Michaelson, L.V.; et al. Phytochrome-dependent temperature perception modulates isoprenoid metabolism. Plant Physiol. 2020, 183, 869–882. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  114. Arico, D.; Legris, M.; Castro, L.; Garcia, C.F.; Laino, A.; Casal, J.J.; Mazzella, M.A. Neighbour signals perceived by phytochrome B increase thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Environ. 2019, 42, 2554–2566. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  115. Ying, S.; Yang, W.; Li, P.; Hu, Y.; Lu, S.; Zhou, Y.; Huang, J.; Hancock, J.T.; Hu, X. Phytochrome B enhances seed germination tolerance to high temperature by reducing S-nitrosylation of HFR1. EMBO Rep. 2022, 23, e54371. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  116. Qiu, Y. Regulation of PIF4-mediated thermosensory growth. Plant Sci. 2020, 297, 110541. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  117. Wigge, P.A. Ambient temperature signalling in plants. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 2013, 16, 661–666. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  118. Kerbler, S.M.; Wigge, P.A. Temperature sensing in plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2023, 74, 341–366. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  119. Bernardo-Garcia, S.; de Lucas, M.; Martinez, C.; Espinosa-Ruiz, A.; Daviere, J.M.; Prat, S. BR-dependent phosphorylation modulates PIF4 transcriptional activity and shapes diurnal hypocotyl growth. Genes. Dev. 2014, 28, 1681–1694. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  120. Foreman, J.; Johansson, H.; Hornitschek, P.; Josse, E.M.; Fankhauser, C.; Halliday, K.J. Light receptor action is critical for maintaining plant biomass at warm ambient temperatures. Plant J. 2011, 65, 441–452. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  121. Qiu, Y.; Li, M.; Kim, R.J.; Moore, C.M.; Chen, M. Daytime temperature is sensed by phytochrome B in Arabidopsis through a transcriptional activator HEMERA. Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 140. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  122. Li, N.; Bo, C.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, L. PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS PIF4 and PIF5 promote heat stress induced leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. J. Exp. Bot. 2021, 72, 4577–4589. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  123. Iqbal, A.; Bocian, J.; Hameed, A.; Orczyk, W.; Nadolska-Orczyk, A. Cis-Regulation by NACs: A Promising Frontier in Wheat Crop Improvement. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 15431. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  124. Zhou, Y.; Xun, Q.; Zhang, D.; Lv, M.; Ou, Y.; Li, J. TCP transcription factors associate with PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 and CRYPTOCHROME 1 to regulate thermomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. iScience 2019, 15, 600–610. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  125. Charng, Y.Y.; Liu, H.C.; Liu, N.Y.; Chi, W.T.; Wang, C.N.; Chang, S.H.; Wang, T.T. A heat-inducible transcription factor, HsfA2, is required for extension of acquired thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 2007, 143, 251–262. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  126. Chung, B.Y.W.; Balcerowicz, M.; Di Antonio, M.; Jaeger, K.E.; Geng, F.; Franaszek, K.; Marriott, P.; Brierley, I.; Firth, A.E.; Wigge, P.A. An RNA thermoswitch regulates daytime growth in Arabidopsis. Nat. Plants 2020, 6, 522–532. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  127. Toledo-Ortiz, G.; Johansson, H.; Lee, K.P.; Bou-Torrent, J.; Stewart, K.; Steel, G.; Rodriguez-Concepcion, M.; Halliday, K.J. The HY5-PIF regulatory module coordinates light and temperature control of photosynthetic gene transcription. PLoS Genet. 2014, 10, e1004416. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  128. Delker, C.; Sonntag, L.; James, G.V.; Janitza, P.; Ibanez, C.; Ziermann, H.; Peterson, T.; Denk, K.; Mull, S.; Ziegler, J.; et al. The DET1-COP1-HY5 pathway constitutes a multipurpose signaling module regulating plant photomorphogenesis and thermomorphogenesis. Cell Rep. 2014, 9, 1983–1989. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  129. Han, S.H.; Park, Y.J.; Park, C.M. Light priming of thermotolerance development in plants. Plant Signal Behav. 2019, 14, 1554469. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  130. Shahzad, R.; Ahmed, F.; Wang, Z.; Harlina, P.W.; Nishawy, E.; Ayaad, M.; Manan, A.; Maher, M.; Ewas, M. Comparative analysis of two phytochrome mutants of tomato (Micro-Tom cv.) reveals specific physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses under chilling stress. J. Genet. Eng. Biotechnol. 2020, 18, 77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  131. Lee, C.M.; Thomashow, M.F. Photoperiodic regulation of the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) cold acclimation pathway and freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2012, 109, 15054–15059. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  132. Hsieh, T.H.; Lee, J.T.; Yang, P.T.; Chiu, L.H.; Charng, Y.Y.; Wang, Y.C.; Chan, M.T. Heterology expression of the Arabidopsis C-repeat/dehydration response element binding factor 1 gene confers elevated tolerance to chilling and oxidative stresses in transgenic tomato. Plant Physiol. 2002, 129, 1086–1094. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  133. Kurepin, L.V.; Dahal, K.P.; Savitch, L.V.; Singh, J.; Bode, R.; Ivanov, A.G.; Hurry, V.; Hüner, N.P. Role of CBFs as integrators of chloroplast redox, phytochrome and plant hormone signaling during cold acclimation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2013, 14, 12729–12763. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  134. Wang, F.; Guo, Z.; Li, H.; Wang, M.; Onac, E.; Zhou, J.; Xia, X.; Shi, K.; Yu, J.; Zhou, Y. Phytochrome A and B function antagonistically to regulate cold tolerance via abscisic acid-dependent jasmonate signaling. Plant Physiol. 2016, 170, 459–471. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  135. Franklin, K.A.; Whitelam, G.C. Light-quality regulation of freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nat. Genet. 2007, 39, 1410–1413. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  136. Hu, Y.; Jiang, L.; Wang, F.; Yu, D. Jasmonate regulates the inducer of cbf expression-C-repeat binding factor/DRE binding factor1 cascade and freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 2013, 25, 2907–2924. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  137. Zhou, M.; Chen, H.; Wei, D.; Ma, H.; Lin, J. Arabidopsis CBF3 and DELLAs positively regulate each other in response to low temperature. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 39819. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  138. Catalá, R.; Medina, J.; Salinas, J. Integration of low temperature and light signaling during cold acclimation response in Arabidopsis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2011, 108, 16475–16480. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  139. Li, Y.; Shi, Y.; Li, M.; Fu, D.; Wu, S.; Li, J.; Gong, Z.; Liu, H.; Yang, S. The CRY2-COP1-HY5-BBX7/8 module regulates blue light-dependent cold acclimation in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 2021, 33, 3555–3573. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  140. Achard, P.; Gong, F.; Cheminant, S.; Alioua, M.; Hedden, P.; Genschik, P. The cold-inducible CBF1 factor-dependent signaling pathway modulates the accumulation of the growth-repressing DELLA proteins via its effect on gibberellin metabolism. Plant Cell 2008, 20, 2117–2129. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  141. Wang, F.; Wang, X.; Zhang, Y.; Yan, J.; Ahammed, G.J.; Bu, X.; Sun, X.; Liu, Y.; Xu, T.; Qi, H.; et al. SlFHY3 and SlHY5 act compliantly to enhance cold tolerance through the integration of myo-inositol and light signaling in tomato. New Phytol. 2022, 233, 2127–2143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  142. Wang, F.; Wu, N.; Zhang, L.; Ahammed, G.J.; Chen, X.; Xiang, X.; Zhou, J.; Xia, X.; Shi, K.; Yu, J.; et al. Light Signaling-Dependent Regulation of Photoinhibition and Photoprotection in Tomato. Plant Physiol. 2018, 176, 1311–1326. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  143. Wang, F.; Yan, J.; Ahammed, G.J.; Wang, X.; Bu, X.; Xiang, H.; Li, Y.; Lu, J.; Liu, Y.; Qi, H.; et al. PGR5/PGRL1 and NDH mediate far-red light-induced photoprotection in response to chilling stress in tomato. Front. Plant Sci. 2020, 11, 669. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  144. Cruz de Carvalho, M.H. Drought stress and reactive oxygen species: Production, scavenging and signaling. Plant Signal. Behav. 2008, 3, 156–165. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  145. Fang, Y.; Xiong, L. General mechanisms of drought response and their application in drought resistance improvement in plants. Cell Mol. Life Sci. 2015, 72, 673–689. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  146. Hetherington, A.M.; Woodward, F.I. The role of stomata in sensing and driving environmental change. Nature 2003, 424, 901–908. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  147. Choi, H.; Hong, J.; Ha, J.; Kang, J.; Kim, S.Y. ABFs, a family of ABA-responsive element binding factors. J. Biol. Chem. 2000, 275, 1723–1730. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  148. Sauter, A.; Davies, W.J.; Hartung, W. The long-distance abscisic acid signal in the droughted plant: The fate of the hormone on its way from root to shoot. J. Exp. Bot. 2001, 52, 1991–1997. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  149. Gao, Y.; Jiang, W.; Dai, Y.; Xiao, N.; Zhang, C.; Li, H.; Lu, Y.; Wu, M.; Tao, X.; Deng, D.; et al. A maize phytochrome-interacting factor 3 improves drought and salt stress tolerance in rice. Plant Mol. Biol. 2015, 87, 413–428. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  150. Huang, Z.; Tang, R.; Yi, X.; Xu, W.; Zhu, P.; Jiang, C.Z. Overexpressing phytochrome interacting factor 8 of myrothamnus flabellifolia enhanced drought and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 8155. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  151. Liu, Z.; Guo, C.; Wu, R.; Hu, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Wang, J.; Yu, X.; Zhang, Y.; Bawa, G.; Sun, X. FLS2-RBOHD-PIF4 module regulates plant response to drought and salt stress. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 1080. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  152. Liu, J.; Zhang, F.; Zhou, J.; Chen, F.; Wang, B.; Xie, X. Phytochrome B control of total leaf area and stomatal density affects drought tolerance in rice. Plant Mol. Biol. 2012, 78, 289–300. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  153. Qi, L.; Liu, S.; Li, C.; Fu, J.; Jing, Y.; Cheng, J.; Li, H.; Zhang, D.; Wang, X.; Dong, X.; et al. PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORS interact with the ABA receptors PYL8 and PYL9 to orchestrate ABA signaling in darkness. Mol. Plant 2020, 13, 414–430. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  154. Jensen, M.K.; Lindemose, S.; de Masi, F.; Reimer, J.J.; Nielsen, M.; Perera, V.; Workman, C.T.; Turck, F.; Grant, M.R.; Mundy, J.; et al. ATAF1 transcription factor directly regulates abscisic acid biosynthetic gene NCED3 in Arabidopsis thaliana. FEBS Open Bio 2013, 3, 321–327. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  155. Gao, Y.; Wu, M.; Zhang, M.; Jiang, W.; Liang, E.; Zhang, D.; Zhang, C.; Xiao, N.; Chen, J. Roles of a maize phytochrome-interacting factors protein ZmPIF3 in regulation of drought stress responses by controlling stomatal closure in transgenic rice without yield penalty. Plant Mol. Biol. 2018, 97, 311–323. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  156. Kudo, M.; Kidokoro, S.; Yoshida, T.; Mizoi, J.; Todaka, D.; Fernie, A.R.; Shinozaki, K.; Yamaguchi-Shinozaki, K. Double overexpression of DREB and PIF transcription factors improves drought stress tolerance and cell elongation in transgenic plants. Plant Biotechnol. J. 2017, 15, 458–471. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  157. Todaka, D.; Nakashima, K.; Maruyama, K.; Kidokoro, S.; Osakabe, Y.; Ito, Y.; Matsukura, S.; Fujita, Y.; Yoshiwara, K.; Ohme-Takagi, M.; et al. Rice phytochrome-interacting factor-like protein OsPIL1 functions as a key regulator of internode elongation and induces a morphological response to drought stress. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2012, 109, 15947–15952. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  158. Abdellatif, I.M.Y.; Yuan, S.; Yoshihara, S.; Suzaki, T.; Ezura, H.; Miura, K. Stimulation of tomato drought tolerance by PHYTOCHROME A and B1B2 mutations. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 1560. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  159. Yoo, Y.H.; Nalini Chandran, A.K.; Park, J.C.; Gho, Y.S.; Lee, S.W.; An, G.; Jung, K.H. OsPhyB-mediating novel regulatory pathway for drought tolerance in rice root identified by a global RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis of rice genes in response to water deficiencies. Front. Plant Sci. 2017, 8, 580. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  160. Nir, I.; Shohat, H.; Panizel, I.; Olszewski, N.; Aharoni, A.; Weiss, D. The tomato DELLA protein PROCERA acts in guard cells to promote stomatal closure. Plant Cell 2017, 29, 3186–3197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  161. Djakovic-Petrovic, T.; de Wit, M.; Voesenek, L.A.; Pierik, R. DELLA protein function in growth responses to canopy signals. Plant J. 2007, 51, 117–126. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  162. Boccalandro, H.E.; Rugnone, M.L.; Moreno, J.E.; Ploschuk, E.L.; Serna, L.; Yanovsky, M.J.; Casal, J.J. Phytochrome B enhances photosynthesis at the expense of water-use efficiency in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 2009, 150, 1083–1092. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  163. Xu, D.; Li, J.; Gangappa, S.N.; Hettiarachchi, C.; Lin, F.; Andersson, M.X.; Jiang, Y.; Deng, X.W.; Holm, M. Convergence of light and ABA signaling on the ABI5 promoter. PLoS Genet. 2014, 10, e1004197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  164. Tang, W.; Ji, Q.; Huang, Y.; Jiang, Z.; Bao, M.; Wang, H.; Lin, R. FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 and FAR-RED IMPAIRED RESPONSE1 transcription factors integrate light and abscisic acid signaling in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 2013, 163, 857–866. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  165. Mo, W.; Tang, W.; Du, Y.; Jing, Y.; Bu, Q.; Lin, R. PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR-LIKE14 and SLENDER RICE1 interaction controls seedling growth under salt stress. Plant Physiol. 2020, 184, 506–517. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  166. Sakuraba, Y.; Bulbul, S.; Piao, W.; Choi, G.; Paek, N.C. Arabidopsis EARLY FLOWERING3 increases salt tolerance by suppressing salt stress response pathways. Plant J. 2017, 92, 1106–1120. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  167. Itoh, H.; Ueguchi-Tanaka, M.; Sato, Y.; Ashikari, M.; Matsuoka, M. The gibberellin signaling pathway is regulated by the appearance and disappearance of SLENDER RICE1 in nuclei. Plant Cell 2002, 14, 57–70. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  168. Qiu, J.R.; Xiang, X.Y.; Wang, J.T.; Xu, W.X.; Chen, J.; Xiao, Y.; Jiang, C.Z.; Huang, Z. MfPIF1 of resurrection plant myrothamnus flabellifolia plays a positive regulatory role in responding to drought and salinity stresses in Arabidopsis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3011. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  169. Yang, J.; Qu, X.; Li, T.; Gao, Y.; Du, H.; Zheng, L.; Ji, M.; Zhang, P.; Zhang, Y.; Hu, J.; et al. HY5-HDA9 orchestrates the transcription of HsfA2 to modulate salt stress response in Arabidopsis. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 2023, 65, 45–63. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  170. Piao, M.; Zou, J.; Li, Z.; Zhang, J.; Yang, L.; Yao, N.; Li, Y.; Li, Y.; Tang, H.; Zhang, L.; et al. The Arabidopsis HY2 gene acts as a positive regulator of NaCl signaling during seed germination. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 9009. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  171. Kovács, H.; Aleksza, D.; Baba, A.I.; Hajdu, A.; Király, A.M.; Zsigmond, L.; Tóth, S.Z.; Kozma-Bognár, L.; Szabados, L. Light control of salt-induced proline accumulation is mediated by ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 in Arabidopsis. Front. Plant Sci. 2019, 10, 1584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  172. Abrahám, E.; Rigó, G.; Székely, G.; Nagy, R.; Koncz, C.; Szabados, L. Light-dependent induction of proline biosynthesis by abscisic acid and salt stress is inhibited by brassinosteroid in Arabidopsis. Plant Mol. Biol. 2003, 51, 363–372. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  173. Hayashi, F.; Ichino, T.; Osanai, M.; Wada, K. Oscillation and regulation of proline content by P5CS and ProDH gene expressions in the light/dark cycles in Arabidopsis thaliana L. Plant Cell Physiol. 2000, 41, 1096–1101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  174. Cao, K.; Yu, J.; Xu, D.; Ai, K.; Bao, E.; Zou, Z. Exposure to lower red to far-red light ratios improve tomato tolerance to salt stress. BMC Plant Biol. 2018, 18, 92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  175. Yang, T.; Lv, R.; Li, J.; Lin, H.; Xi, D. Phytochrome A and B negatively regulate salt stress tolerance of Nicotiana tobacum via ABA-Jasmonic acid synergistic cross-talk. Plant Cell Physiol. 2018, 59, 2381–2393. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  176. Ma, L.; Han, R.; Yang, Y.; Liu, X.; Li, H.; Zhao, X.; Li, J.; Fu, H.; Huo, Y.; Sun, L.; et al. Phytochromes enhance SOS2-mediated PIF1 and PIF3 phosphorylation and degradation to promote Arabidopsis salt tolerance. Plant Cell 2023, 35, 2997–3020. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  177. Fernando, V.C.D.; Al Khateeb, W.; Belmonte, M.F.; Schroeder, D.F. Role of Arabidopsis ABF1/3/4 during det1 germination in salt and osmotic stress conditions. Plant Mol. Biol. 2018, 97, 149–163. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  178. Sun, G.; Yang, L.; Zhan, W.; Chen, S.; Song, M.; Wang, L.; Jiang, L.; Guo, L.; Wang, K.; Ye, X.; et al. HFR1, a bHLH Transcriptional Regulator from Arabidopsis thaliana, Improves Grain Yield, Shade and Osmotic Stress Tolerances in Common Wheat. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 12057. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  179. Kharshiing, E.; Sinha, S.P. Deficiency in phytochrome A alters photosynthetic activity, leaf starch metabolism and shoot biomass production in tomato. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 2016, 165, 157–162. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  180. Yue, C.; Wang, Z.; Yang, P. Review: The effect of light on the key pigment compounds of photosensitive etiolated tea plant. Bot. Stud. 2021, 62, 1–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  181. Carlson, K.D.; Bhogale, S.; Anderson, D.; Zaragoza-Mendoza, A.; Madlung, A. Subfunctionalization of phytochrome B1/B2 leads to differential auxin and photosynthetic responses. Plant Direct 2020, 4, e00205. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  182. Kreslavski, V.D.; Strokina, V.V.; Pashkovskiy, P.P.; Balakhnina, T.I.; Voloshin, R.A.; Alwasel, S.; Kosobryukhov, A.A.; Allakhverdiev, S.I. Deficiencies in phytochromes A and B and cryptochrome 1 affect the resistance of the photosynthetic apparatus to high-intensity light in Solanum lycopersicum. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol. 2020, 210, 111976. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  183. Kreslavski, V.D.; Strokina, V.V.; Khudyakova, A.Y.; Shirshikova, G.N.; Kosobryukhov, A.A.; Pashkovskiy, P.P.; Alwasel, S.; Allakhverdiev, S.I. Effect of high-intensity light and UV-B on photosynthetic activity and the expression of certain light-responsive genes in A. thaliana phyA and phyB mutants. thaliana phyA and phyB mutants. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 2021, 1862, 148445. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  184. Pashkovskiy, P.; Kreslavski, V.; Khudyakova, A.; Ashikhmin, A.; Bolshakov, M.; Kozhevnikova, A.; Kosobryukhov, A.; Kuznetsov, V.V.; Allakhverdiev, S.I. Effect of high-intensity light on the photosynthetic activity, pigment content and expression of light-dependent genes of photomorphogenetic Solanum lycopersicum hp mutants. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 2021, 167, 91–100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  185. Devireddy, A.R.; Liscum, E.; Mittler, R. Phytochrome B Is Required for Systemic Stomatal Responses and Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling during Light Stress. Plant Physiol. 2020, 184, 1563–1572. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  186. Leone, M.; Keller, M.M.; Cerrudo, I.; Ballaré, C.L. To grow or defend? Low Red: Far-red ratios reduce jasmonate sensitivity in Arabidopsis seedlings by promoting DELLA degradation and increasing JAZ10 stability. New Phytol. 2014, 204, 355–367. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  187. Campos, M.L.; Yoshida, Y.; Major, I.T.; de Oliveira Ferreira, D.; Weraduwage, S.M.; Froehlich, J.E.; Johnson, B.F.; Kramer, D.M.; Jander, G.; Sharkey, T.D.; et al. Rewiring of jasmonate and phytochrome B signalling uncouples plant growth-defense tradeoffs. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 12570. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  188. Cortés, L.E.; Weldegergis, B.T.; Boccalandro, H.E.; Dicke, M.; Ballaré, C.L. Trading direct for indirect defense? Phytochrome B inactivation in tomato attenuates direct anti-herbivore defenses whilst enhancing volatile-mediated attraction of predators. New Phytol. 2016, 212, 1057–1071. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  189. Fei, C.; Chen, L.; Yang, T.; Zou, W.; Lin, H.; Xi, D. The role of phytochromes in Nicotiana tabacum against Chilli veinal mottle virus. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 2019, 139, 470–477. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  190. Chen, L.J.; Fei, C.Y.; Xu, Z.P.; Wu, G.; Lin, H.H.; Xi, D.H. Positive role of phytochromes in Nicotiana tabacum against Cucumber mosaic virus via a salicylic acid-dependent pathway. Plant Pathol. 2018, 67, 488–498. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  191. Li, J.Y.; Deng, X.G.; Chen, L.J.; Fu, F.Q.; Pu, X.J.; Xi, D.H.; Lin, H.H. Involvement of PHYB in resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus in Nicotiana tabacum. Plant Growth Regul. 2015, 77, 33–42. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  192. Vaghela, B.; Vashi, R.; Rajput, K.; Joshi, R. Plant chitinases and their role in plant defense: A comprehensive review. Enzym. Microb. Technol. 2022, 159, 110055. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  193. Elhamouly, N.A.; Hewedy, O.A.; Zaitoon, A.; Miraples, A.; Elshorbagy, O.T.; Hussien, S.; El-Tahan, A.; Peng, D. The hidden power of secondary metabolites in plant-fungi interactions and sustainable phytoremediation. Front. Plant Sci. 2022, 13, 1044896. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  194. Huot, B.; Yao, J.; Montgomery, B.L.; He, S.Y. Growth-defense tradeoffs in plants: A balancing act to optimize fitness. Mol. Plant 2014, 7, 1267–1287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  195. Roberts, M.R.; Paul, N.D. Seduced by the dark side: Integrating molecular and ecological perspectives on the influence of light on plant defence against pests and pathogens. New Phytol. 2006, 170, 677–699. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  196. Moreno, J.E.; Ballaré, C.L. Phytochrome Regulation of Plant Immunity in Vegetation Canopies. J. Chem. Ecol. 2014, 40, 848–857. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  197. Ballaré, C.L. Light regulation of plant defense. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2014, 65, 335–363. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  198. Machado, R.A.R.; Baldwin, I.T.; Erb, M. Herbivory-induced jasmonates constrain plant sugar accumulation and growth by antagonizing gibberellin signaling and not by promoting secondary metabolite production. New Phytol. 2017, 215, 803–812. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  199. Genoud, T.; Buchala, A.J.; Chua, N.H.; Métraux, J.P. Phytochrome signalling modulates the SA-perceptive pathway in Arabidopsis. Plant J. 2002, 31, 87–95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  200. Nawrath, C.; Métraux, J.P. Salicylic acid induction-deficient mutants of Arabidopsis express PR-2 and PR-5 and accumulate high levels of camalexin after pathogen inoculation. Plant Cell 1999, 11, 1393–1404. [Google Scholar]
  201. Xie, X.Z.; Xue, Y.J.; Zhou, J.J.; Zhang, B.; Chang, H.; Takano, M. Phytochromes regulate SA and JA signaling pathways in rice and are required for developmentally controlled resistance to Magnaporthe grisea. Mol. Plant 2011, 4, 688–696. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  202. Wang, W.; Tang, W.; Ma, T.; Niu, D.; Jin, J.B.; Wang, H.; Lin, R. A pair of light signaling factors FHY3 and FAR1 regulates plant immunity by modulating chlorophyll biosynthesis. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 2016, 58, 91–103. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  203. Zhao, Y.; Zheng, X.; Zhang, X.; Wang, W.; Cai, G.; Bi, G.; Chen, S.; Sun, C.; Zhou, J.M. PIF3 is phosphorylated by MAPK to modulate plant immunity. New Phytol. 2023; online ahead of print. [Google Scholar]
  204. Nie, N.; Huo, J.; Sun, S.; Zuo, Z.; Chen, Y.; Liu, Q.; He, S.; Gao, S.; Zhang, H.; Zhao, N.; et al. Genome-wide characterization of the PIFs family in sweet potato and functional identification of IbPIF3.1 under Drought and Fusarium wilt stresses. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 4092. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Figure 1. Phytochrome signaling pathway in adaptation to diverse stresses. The transition between the activated (Pfr) and inactivated (Pr) forms of the phytochromes can be realized through changes in external light quality (R/FR), in which Pfr can enter the nucleus to activate or inhibit HY5 (Elongated hypocotyl 5), HFR1 (Hypocotyl in far-red 1), COP1 (Constitutively photomorphogenic1), SPAs (Suppressor of phyA), PIFs (Phytochrome interacting factors), etc., to cope with plant responses to drought, high temperature, chilling, freezing, saline-alkali soil, plant disease, and pests.
Figure 1. Phytochrome signaling pathway in adaptation to diverse stresses. The transition between the activated (Pfr) and inactivated (Pr) forms of the phytochromes can be realized through changes in external light quality (R/FR), in which Pfr can enter the nucleus to activate or inhibit HY5 (Elongated hypocotyl 5), HFR1 (Hypocotyl in far-red 1), COP1 (Constitutively photomorphogenic1), SPAs (Suppressor of phyA), PIFs (Phytochrome interacting factors), etc., to cope with plant responses to drought, high temperature, chilling, freezing, saline-alkali soil, plant disease, and pests.
Ijms 24 13201 g001
Figure 2. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to high temperature. The PIFs play a large role in the phyB-dependent responses to high-temperature stress. PhyB may also directly act on HsfA1 to enhance heat resistance.
Figure 2. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to high temperature. The PIFs play a large role in the phyB-dependent responses to high-temperature stress. PhyB may also directly act on HsfA1 to enhance heat resistance.
Ijms 24 13201 g002
Figure 3. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to low temperature. Under low-temperature conditions, plants mainly regulate the CBF through PIF3, PIF7, and PIF4 to affect the cold resistance. Of course, in addition, HY5 and phyA can also enhance the cold resistance of plants under cold conditions, while phyB acts as a negative regulator for cold in plants.
Figure 3. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to low temperature. Under low-temperature conditions, plants mainly regulate the CBF through PIF3, PIF7, and PIF4 to affect the cold resistance. Of course, in addition, HY5 and phyA can also enhance the cold resistance of plants under cold conditions, while phyB acts as a negative regulator for cold in plants.
Ijms 24 13201 g003
Figure 4. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to drought stress. When plants were exposed to drought stress, PIF4, PIF8, PIL1, HY5, and PIF1/3 improved drought tolerance by increasing the ABA content and regulating stomatal closure, respectively. In contrast, phyB negatively regulated plant drought tolerance by inhibiting the activities of PIF4, CAT/APX, the expression of ERECTA family and EXPANSIN family genes, and leaf area.
Figure 4. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to drought stress. When plants were exposed to drought stress, PIF4, PIF8, PIL1, HY5, and PIF1/3 improved drought tolerance by increasing the ABA content and regulating stomatal closure, respectively. In contrast, phyB negatively regulated plant drought tolerance by inhibiting the activities of PIF4, CAT/APX, the expression of ERECTA family and EXPANSIN family genes, and leaf area.
Ijms 24 13201 g004
Figure 5. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to salt stress. When plants face salt stress, PIF1, PIF3, and PIF4 positively regulate the expression of salt tolerance-related genes to enhance plant salt tolerance. In addition, phyB enhanced plant salt tolerance by increasing the content of HY5. RBOHD: Respiratory Burst Oxidase Protein D; FLS2: Flagellin Sensing 2; SLR1: Slender Rice 1; ORE1: Oresara 1; JUB1: Jungbrunnen 1.
Figure 5. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to salt stress. When plants face salt stress, PIF1, PIF3, and PIF4 positively regulate the expression of salt tolerance-related genes to enhance plant salt tolerance. In addition, phyB enhanced plant salt tolerance by increasing the content of HY5. RBOHD: Respiratory Burst Oxidase Protein D; FLS2: Flagellin Sensing 2; SLR1: Slender Rice 1; ORE1: Oresara 1; JUB1: Jungbrunnen 1.
Ijms 24 13201 g005
Figure 6. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to biotic stresses. In the face of biotic stress, phyA/B can promote the accumulation of SA by positively promoting FHY3 and FAR1 and inhibiting PIFs. At the same time, SA can actively regulate the expression of PR and jointly initiate SA-induced defence. In addition, phyA/B can activate JA-induced defence by directly inhibiting jasmonate ZIM-domani (JAZ) or by inhibiting JAZ via DELLA.
Figure 6. Phytochrome signaling in adaptation to biotic stresses. In the face of biotic stress, phyA/B can promote the accumulation of SA by positively promoting FHY3 and FAR1 and inhibiting PIFs. At the same time, SA can actively regulate the expression of PR and jointly initiate SA-induced defence. In addition, phyA/B can activate JA-induced defence by directly inhibiting jasmonate ZIM-domani (JAZ) or by inhibiting JAZ via DELLA.
Ijms 24 13201 g006
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Qiu, X.; Sun, G.; Liu, F.; Hu, W. Functions of Plant Phytochrome Signaling Pathways in Adaptation to Diverse Stresses. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 13201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713201

AMA Style

Qiu X, Sun G, Liu F, Hu W. Functions of Plant Phytochrome Signaling Pathways in Adaptation to Diverse Stresses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(17):13201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713201

Chicago/Turabian Style

Qiu, Xue, Guanghua Sun, Fen Liu, and Weiming Hu. 2023. "Functions of Plant Phytochrome Signaling Pathways in Adaptation to Diverse Stresses" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, no. 17: 13201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713201

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop