Thermosensing in plants: Deciphering the mechanisms involved in heat sensing and their role in thermoresponse and thermotolerance

Abstract

With a gradual increase in the ambient temperature plants need to perceive these changes accurately and adjust accordingly in order to adapt and survive. Heat stress affects various developmental stages of plants and adversely impacts yield. Therefore, approaches for developing crops with heat tolerance and high crop productivity have now become major agricultural goals. In the heat sensing process, high temperature causes several changes in various components of the cell, including changes in the membrane fluidity, calcium ions, cytoskeleton elements and protein unfolding. Although some information regarding the signaling mechanisms activated upon sensing of high temperature has been available, only recently new insights have been gained in the thermosensing mechanisms in plants. This review focuses on the various molecular changes that occur within a cell with the rise in temperature and how these are linked to thermomorphogenesis and thermotolerance. Moreover, in the light of upcoming research, the role of photoreceptors, phytohormones, DNA and RNA in heat perception has been given greater attention. • Detrimental effects of heat stress on plants. • Role of various cellular components i.e. cell membranes, proteins, cytoskeleton elements, DNA and RNA in heat perception. • Sensing of high ambient temperature leads to two different responses i.e. thermomorphogenesis and thermotolerance. • Photoreceptor function as thermosensor.