Plant autophagy (the vacuole-based degradation and recycling of cellular components) is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process. It is divided into two categories: bulk autophagy (the degradation of nonselective cargoes), which is a major response to the external environment, while selective autophagy (mediated by cargo-specific receptors) is required for normal cellular function and regulation. The machinery involved in plant autophagy has been well-characterized using cell and molecular biology techniques, and many genetic tools have been developed that have helped elucidate the direct influence of autophagy on plant development, nutrient homeostasis, and stress response. Examples include higher-order mutants for autophagy proteins, visible phenotypes of autophagy-deficient genotypes, fluorescent microscopy and chemical tools for visualizing autophagy progression at the tissue- and cellular level. Manipulating plant autophagy is therefore an emerging and exciting approach with the potential to improve plant quality and stress resistance.
Climate change and the ongoing deterioration of natural diversity are threatening food and nutritional security across the globe. Factors such as drought, rising temperatures, and pathogens are challenging crop productivity at an unprecedented scale. Evidence suggests a major role of autophagy in the readjustment of cellular physiology and development as part of plant stress adaptation. Autophagy-related genes (ATGs), core complexes, and selective receptors harmonize these stress responses through the autophagy of cargoes to ensure nutrient re-utilization and sustainable plant growth. Since autophagy is an endogenous response, we can leverage the opportunity to alter these conditional autophagy responses to face immediate challenges imposed by the environment.
Many studies have identified autophagy mutants and cell biology tools to establish the relationships between plant autophagy and nutrient uptake and metabolism, stress, and developmental responses under varying environmental conditions. The identification of potential biotechnological targets of the autophagy pathway and its interaction with stress-specific responses will help the development of novel approaches for climate-smart and nutritional plants.
This Research Topic aims to compile information on the autophagy pathway and its components, which could be targeted within biotechnology to address crop production issues (e.g., growth, stress resistance, ripening, and postharvest quality). We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, and Method articles that cover:
• Autophagy in the regulation of plant nutrient uptake and distribution;
• Abiotic and biotic stresses and their counteraction by plant autophagy;
• Physiological roles of plant autophagy in development and productivity;
• Engineering the autophagy pathway for crop improvement;
• Tools and resources for identifying biotechnological targets from plant autophagy processes and their interaction with other physiological, hormonal, and nutrient homeostasis pathways.
Plant autophagy (the vacuole-based degradation and recycling of cellular components) is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process. It is divided into two categories: bulk autophagy (the degradation of nonselective cargoes), which is a major response to the external environment, while selective autophagy (mediated by cargo-specific receptors) is required for normal cellular function and regulation. The machinery involved in plant autophagy has been well-characterized using cell and molecular biology techniques, and many genetic tools have been developed that have helped elucidate the direct influence of autophagy on plant development, nutrient homeostasis, and stress response. Examples include higher-order mutants for autophagy proteins, visible phenotypes of autophagy-deficient genotypes, fluorescent microscopy and chemical tools for visualizing autophagy progression at the tissue- and cellular level. Manipulating plant autophagy is therefore an emerging and exciting approach with the potential to improve plant quality and stress resistance.
Climate change and the ongoing deterioration of natural diversity are threatening food and nutritional security across the globe. Factors such as drought, rising temperatures, and pathogens are challenging crop productivity at an unprecedented scale. Evidence suggests a major role of autophagy in the readjustment of cellular physiology and development as part of plant stress adaptation. Autophagy-related genes (ATGs), core complexes, and selective receptors harmonize these stress responses through the autophagy of cargoes to ensure nutrient re-utilization and sustainable plant growth. Since autophagy is an endogenous response, we can leverage the opportunity to alter these conditional autophagy responses to face immediate challenges imposed by the environment.
Many studies have identified autophagy mutants and cell biology tools to establish the relationships between plant autophagy and nutrient uptake and metabolism, stress, and developmental responses under varying environmental conditions. The identification of potential biotechnological targets of the autophagy pathway and its interaction with stress-specific responses will help the development of novel approaches for climate-smart and nutritional plants.
This Research Topic aims to compile information on the autophagy pathway and its components, which could be targeted within biotechnology to address crop production issues (e.g., growth, stress resistance, ripening, and postharvest quality). We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, and Method articles that cover:
• Autophagy in the regulation of plant nutrient uptake and distribution;
• Abiotic and biotic stresses and their counteraction by plant autophagy;
• Physiological roles of plant autophagy in development and productivity;
• Engineering the autophagy pathway for crop improvement;
• Tools and resources for identifying biotechnological targets from plant autophagy processes and their interaction with other physiological, hormonal, and nutrient homeostasis pathways.
