Functional studies of transcription factors involved in plant defenses in the genomics era

Brief Funct Genomics. 2015 Jul;14(4):260-7. doi: 10.1093/bfgp/elv011. Epub 2015 Apr 2.

Abstract

Plant transcription factors (TFs) play roles in diverse biological processes including defense responses to pathogens. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies of plant TFs with regard to defense responses. TFs play roles in plant innate immunity by regulating genes related to pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity, effector-triggered immunity, hormone signaling pathways and phytoalexin synthesis. Currently, genome-wide phylogenetic and transcriptomic analyses are as important as functional analyses in the study of plant TFs. The integration of genomics information with the knowledge obtained from functional studies provides new insights into the regulation of plant defense mechanisms as well as engineering crops with improved resistance to invading pathogens.

Keywords: genome-wide analysis; plant defense response; plant disease resistance; plant transcription factor; transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Genome, Plant*
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Phylogeny
  • Plants / genetics
  • Plants / immunology*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Transcription Factors