Abstract
Chloroplasts are plant organelles that carry out photosynthesis, produce various metabolites, and sense changes in the external environment. Given their endosymbiotic origin, chloroplasts have retained independent genomes and gene-expression machinery. Most genes from the prokaryotic ancestors of chloroplasts were transferred into the nucleus over the course of evolution. However, the importance of chloroplast gene expression in environmental stress responses have recently become more apparent. Here, we discuss the emerging roles of the distinct chloroplast gene expression processes in plant responses to environmental stresses. For example, the transcription and translation of psbA play an important role in high-light stress responses. A better understanding of the connection between chloroplast gene expression and environmental stress responses is crucial for breeding stress-tolerant crops better able to cope with the rapidly changing environment.
Highlights
Plant often face environmental conditions that are unfavorable for growth and development
Studies of mutants of these proteins have shown that these mutants are sensitive to various environmental stresses [8,26,27,28,29]. These findings suggest that there is a link between chloroplast gene expression and environmental stress responses, but less attention has been paid to this issue
For detailed information on chloroplast RNA metabolism, we direct the reader to recent reviews in this area [39,43,45,48,49]
Summary
Plant often face environmental conditions that are unfavorable for growth and development. The adverse effects of environmental stresses are getting worse due to the increasing worldwide population and climate change To deal with these environmental stresses, plants rely on their ability to sense and cope with these stresses by regulating the expression of stress-responsive genes in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and organelles. During evolution, most chloroplast genes were lost or transferred to the nucleus: On average, the chloroplast genomes of land plants have retained only 120 genes [20,21]. These relatively few genes play fundamental roles in chloroplast activities such as energy production and gene expression [22]. We discuss the emerging roles of chloroplast gene expression in plant responses to environmental stresses
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
