Genomic Resources of Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance: An Overview of Functional and Regulatory Proteins

Abstract

Abiotic stress, a complex phenomenon, has been established as a major factor affecting quality and quantity of crop production. Plants have evolved mechanisms to survive abiotic stress conditions and a set of protein families have been identified that work at cellular level to make plants tolerant. Modern genetic engineering and synthetic biology techniques are capable of deploying specific genes to develop crop varieties tolerant to abiotic stress factors. This and the availability of patent protection on the genetic sequences and protocols can make genebanks redundant unless genebanks equip themselves with genomic resources of priority and niche crop species. Here, we review the status of knowledge in 13 protein families, miRNAs and epigenetic regulation known to be involved in plant abiotic response pathways among nine major crops. A comparative analysis is presented of sequence depositions in public databases, research papers and patent protection sought in the area of abiotic stress response pathway in plants. Significance of generation and use of genomic resources for management of plant genetic resources is discussed.