Time to pump iron: iron-deficiency-signaling mechanisms of higher plants

Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2008 Oct;11(5):530-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2008.06.013. Epub 2008 Aug 21.

Abstract

Iron is an essential nutrient for plants, yet it often limits plant growth. On the contrary, overaccumulation of iron within plant cells leads to oxidative stress. As a consequence, iron-uptake systems are carefully regulated to ensure that iron homeostasis is maintained. In response to iron limitation, plants induce expression of sets of activities that function at the root-soil interface to solubilize iron and subsequently transfer it across the plasma membrane of root cells. Recent advances have revealed key players in the signaling pathways that function to induce these iron-uptake responses. Transcription factors belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix, ABI3/VP1(B3), and NAC families appear to function either directly or indirectly in the upregulation of iron deficiency responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Oryza / genetics
  • Oryza / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / physiology
  • Plants / genetics
  • Plants / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Iron