Higher plants are polar organisms that inhabit both soil and water. The growth and functioning of shoots and roots have to be adequately coordinated. As a result, plants have developed numerous mechanisms that involve a precise shoot-root communication network.
The importance of shoot-derived signals in the regulation of root responses to biotic and abiotic stresses is getting more attention. Multiple long-distance signaling molecules have been identified to play a role in the communication between organs, including microRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, glutathione, small peptides, and hormones.
Shoot-derived signals are said to be involved in the regulation of root responses to nutritional deficiencies. Several microRNAs, such as miRNA395, miRNA398, and miRNA399, play a role in sulfur, copper, and phosphorus deficiency responses, respectively. Meanwhile, two kinds of long-distance signals have been implicated in the regulation of Fe deficiency responses: IMA1 and IMA3 peptides as activating signals and LODIS (Long Distance Iron Signal) as a repressive signal. Phloem-mobile CEPD-like 2 (CEPDL2) polypeptide is upregulated in the leaf vasculature in response to decreased shoot N status and promotes high-affinity uptake and root-to-shoot transport of nitrate.
The involvement of shoot-derived long-distance mobile mRNAs in underground organelle development has also been reported. Transport of large numbers of mRNAs from shoot to root in response to different growth conditions is also known. Several shoot-derived transcription factors also participate in the systemic transport of iron. For example, phyB-dependent induction of HY5 promotes iron uptake in tomatoes.
Hormonal cues detected by shoots confer another type of root response. For instance, the application of jasmonic acid to shoots can inhibit root nodulation in Lotus japonicus.
This Research Topic aims to gather the current knowledge on shoot-derived signals and how they influence root responses dependent on the environment.
Original research, as well as reviews, are welcome. The following sub-themes will be addressed in the contributions to the Research Topic:
• Role of microRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, hormones, and peptides as long-distance signaling molecules to coordinate shoot/root responses to environmental changes in plants.
• Possible interactions among different long-distance signaling molecules that regulate shoot/root responses.
Higher plants are polar organisms that inhabit both soil and water. The growth and functioning of shoots and roots have to be adequately coordinated. As a result, plants have developed numerous mechanisms that involve a precise shoot-root communication network.
The importance of shoot-derived signals in the regulation of root responses to biotic and abiotic stresses is getting more attention. Multiple long-distance signaling molecules have been identified to play a role in the communication between organs, including microRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, glutathione, small peptides, and hormones.
Shoot-derived signals are said to be involved in the regulation of root responses to nutritional deficiencies. Several microRNAs, such as miRNA395, miRNA398, and miRNA399, play a role in sulfur, copper, and phosphorus deficiency responses, respectively. Meanwhile, two kinds of long-distance signals have been implicated in the regulation of Fe deficiency responses: IMA1 and IMA3 peptides as activating signals and LODIS (Long Distance Iron Signal) as a repressive signal. Phloem-mobile CEPD-like 2 (CEPDL2) polypeptide is upregulated in the leaf vasculature in response to decreased shoot N status and promotes high-affinity uptake and root-to-shoot transport of nitrate.
The involvement of shoot-derived long-distance mobile mRNAs in underground organelle development has also been reported. Transport of large numbers of mRNAs from shoot to root in response to different growth conditions is also known. Several shoot-derived transcription factors also participate in the systemic transport of iron. For example, phyB-dependent induction of HY5 promotes iron uptake in tomatoes.
Hormonal cues detected by shoots confer another type of root response. For instance, the application of jasmonic acid to shoots can inhibit root nodulation in Lotus japonicus.
This Research Topic aims to gather the current knowledge on shoot-derived signals and how they influence root responses dependent on the environment.
Original research, as well as reviews, are welcome. The following sub-themes will be addressed in the contributions to the Research Topic:
• Role of microRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, hormones, and peptides as long-distance signaling molecules to coordinate shoot/root responses to environmental changes in plants.
• Possible interactions among different long-distance signaling molecules that regulate shoot/root responses.
