About this Research Topic
Proteases play essential roles in physiological processes in plants, such as senescence, germination, environmental stress response, defense against pathogens, and programmed cell death. Plant proteolytic enzymes break down peptide bonds in proteins located in essential positions for protein activation (zymogens), processing, or degradation of misfolded or abnormal proteins. Proteases regulate cellular function by inactivating or activating proteins and supplying cells with amino acids to keep the homeostasis required for the growth and development of plants. Some peptides derived from their proteolytic action regulate ROS signaling under oxidative stress. Proteases also regulate the biogenesis of phytohormones, controlling plant growth, development, and environmental stresses. Therefore, knowledge about the mechanisms of action of these enzymes can be beneficial for enhancing the tolerance of plants to climate change effects.
Modern agriculture struggles to meet the increasing food, fodder, and raw material demands due to climate change and rapid population growth. Climate change is a substantial factor that negatively impacts crop yield potentials. Unlike animals, plants have strategies to adapt and acclimate to changing environmental conditions by activating different protective mechanisms that trigger physiological, morphological, and biochemical changes. Inside the plant defense
biochemical mechanism, proteolytic enzymes are key regulators of several physiological processes, like environmental stress responses. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of these plant enzymes remains unexplored. Therefore, an update about the
identification of proteolytic enzymes and their roles in plant defense mechanisms may elucidate valuable information for designing the development of stress-resilient crops with higher yield potentials.
This Research Topic aims to identify novel research findings on the role of molecular proteolytic enzymes in the tolerance of plants to climate change effects. Authors are invited to submit original research, reviews/mini-reviews, methods, and perspectives/opinions/hypotheses, on topics that include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Research on the identification and functional analysis of genes coding to plant proteolytic enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway and regulatory network in abiotic and biotic stress conditions.
• Research on translational and post-translational regulation of proteolytic enzymes in plants.
• Research on classification, structure, molecular properties, and applications of plant proteolytic enzymes.
Modern agriculture struggles to meet the increasing food, fodder, and raw material demands due to climate change and rapid population growth. Climate change is a substantial factor that negatively impacts crop yield potentials. Unlike animals, plants have strategies to adapt and acclimate to changing environmental conditions by activating different protective mechanisms that trigger physiological, morphological, and biochemical changes. Inside the plant defense
biochemical mechanism, proteolytic enzymes are key regulators of several physiological processes, like environmental stress responses. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of these plant enzymes remains unexplored. Therefore, an update about the
identification of proteolytic enzymes and their roles in plant defense mechanisms may elucidate valuable information for designing the development of stress-resilient crops with higher yield potentials.
This Research Topic aims to identify novel research findings on the role of molecular proteolytic enzymes in the tolerance of plants to climate change effects. Authors are invited to submit original research, reviews/mini-reviews, methods, and perspectives/opinions/hypotheses, on topics that include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Research on the identification and functional analysis of genes coding to plant proteolytic enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway and regulatory network in abiotic and biotic stress conditions.
• Research on translational and post-translational regulation of proteolytic enzymes in plants.
• Research on classification, structure, molecular properties, and applications of plant proteolytic enzymes.
Keywords: abiotic stress, proteolytic enzymes, climate change, plant proteases, protein homeostasis, growth, agriculture
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
