Progress in jasmonic acid regulation of plant growth, development and stress in plants

During the growth and development of plants, they inevitably encounter various environmental stresses. To better adapt to these changes, plants modulate their growth and stress-related signaling networks through phytohormones. Jasmonates, a group of compounds including jasmonic acid and its derivatives, collectively referred to as JAs, play a significant role. JAs induce stomatal opening, suppress the synthesis of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rubisco), and affect the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and the transport of organic compounds like glucose, among other physiological effects. Furthermore, JA often collaborates with other plant hormones, interacting with signaling networks mediated by abscisic acid (ABA), auxins, ethylene (ET), gibberellins (GA), brassinosteroids (BR), and salicylic acid (SA), enabling plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Recently, the Biotechnology Bulletin published an article titled 'Advances in Research on Jasmonic Acid Regulation of Plant Growth, Development, and Stress.' The article primarily focuses on JA's involvement in plant development, responses to stress, and its interactions with other plant hormone signals.

Jasmonic acid (JA), an endogenous hormone in plants, plays a pivotal role in various aspects of plant growth and development, including seed germination, root growth, stamen development, flowering time, fruit maturation, and quality. Additionally, JA serves as a crucial signaling molecule in regulating multiple plant stress responses such as pest resistance, disease resistance, drought, temperature fluctuations, salinity, and heavy metal tolerance. The functionality of JA relies on its signaling transduction module, comprising the bioactive compound JA-Ile, JA receptor COI1 protein, repressor protein JAZ, and transcription factors (such as MYCs, MYBs, MED25, etc.).

In response to environmental signals, JA-Ile accumulates and is sensed by the COI1 receptor. JAZ proteins are recruited for ubiquitination and degradation via the 26S proteasome, relieving repression on transcription factors, thereby enabling the expression of JA-responsive genes. JA also interacts with various genetic and epigenetic regulatory factors, including nuclear hormone receptor activation, epigenetic regulation, mRNA processing, transcription termination, and chromatin looping. The current focus lies on elucidating the central role of JAZ in coordinating plant responses to JA and determining how these hubs interact with other plant hormone signaling pathways to orchestrate plant responses.

However, research is still ongoing to determine how different environmental signals are perceived by plants and initiate the synthesis of active signaling molecules. Additionally, mechanisms for the clearance of bioactive JA from the nucleus when signal suppression is required or when JA signaling is no longer necessary remain unknown. Studies related to JA in certain important agricultural crops and economically valuable trees are limited, restricting its applications in agricultural production. Generally, JA aids in enhancing plant defenses or stress tolerance, thus holding extensive potential as a stress-protective agent in agriculture and forestry.