Abstract
Iron is one of the most important micronutrients in plants as it is involved in many cellular functions (e.g., photosynthesis and respiration). Any defect in iron availability will affect plant growth and development as well as crop yield and plant product quality. Thus, iron homeostasis must be tightly controlled in order to ensure optimal absorption of this mineral element. Understanding mechanisms governing iron homeostasis in plants has been the focus of several studies during the past 10 years. These studies have greatly improved our understanding of the mechanisms involved, revealing a sophisticated iron-dependent transcriptional regulatory network. Strikingly, these studies have also highlighted that this regulatory web relies on the activity of numerous transcriptional regulators that belong to the same group of transcription factors (TF), the bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) family. This is best exemplified in Arabidopsis where, to date, 16 bHLH TF have been characterized as involved in this process and acting in a complex regulatory cascade. Interestingly, among these bHLH TF some form specific clades, indicating that peculiar function dedicated to the maintenance of iron homeostasis, have emerged during the course of the evolution of the green lineage. Within this mini review, we present new insights on the control of iron homeostasis and the involvement of bHLH TF in this metabolic process.
Highlights
Iron (Fe) is one of the most important micronutrient elements in plants as it is involved in many cellular functions
Transcriptional Control of Iron Homeostasis in Plants allowing plant Fe uptake from the soil is central for the maintenance of Fe homeostasis, this is not the sole mechanism involved in this process
From what is known on the role played by several members of this family of transcription factors (TF) in plants, it appears that their participation in the control of Fe homeostasis is unique by the number of individual TFs and different clades that are involved as well as by the intricacy of the network they form
Summary
Iron (Fe) is one of the most important micronutrient elements in plants as it is involved in many cellular functions (e.g., photosynthesis and respiration). Transcriptional Control of Iron Homeostasis in Plants allowing plant Fe uptake from the soil is central for the maintenance of Fe homeostasis, this is not the sole mechanism involved in this process. It necessitates several genes encoding proteins involved in Fe transport, compartmentation and storage, at the cellular and subcellular levels, throughout the entire plant body. Such complex mechanism must be tightly regulated in order to avoid any physiological situation that would be deleterious to the plant. From what is known on the role played by several members of this family of TFs in plants, it appears that their participation in the control of Fe homeostasis is unique by the number of individual TFs and different clades that are involved as well as by the intricacy of the network they form
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