Institute of Botany, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Cluster of Excellence on Plant Science (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
J Exp Bot. 2020 Mar 12;71(5):1694-1705. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eraa012.
Iron (Fe) is vital for plant growth. Plants balance the beneficial and toxic effects of this micronutrient, and tightly control Fe uptake and allocation. Here, we review the role of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor FIT (FER-LIKE FE DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR) in Fe acquisition. FIT is not only essential, it is also a central regulatory hub in root cells to steer and adjust the rate of Fe uptake by the root in a changing environment. FIT regulates a subset of root Fe deficiency (-Fe) response genes. Based on a combination of co-expression network and FIT-dependent transcriptome analyses, we defined a set of FIT-dependent and FIT-independent gene expression signatures and co-expression clusters that encode specific functions in Fe regulation and Fe homeostasis. These gene signatures serve as markers to integrate novel regulatory factors and signals into the -Fe response cascade. FIT forms a complex with bHLH subgroup Ib transcription factors. Furthermore, it interacts with key regulators from different signaling pathways that either activate or inhibit FIT function to adjust Fe acquisition to growth and environmental constraints. Co-expression clusters and FIT protein interactions suggest a connection of -Fe with ABA responses and root cell elongation processes that can be explored in future studies.
铁(Fe)对植物生长至关重要。植物平衡这种微量元素的有益和有毒影响,并严格控制 Fe 的吸收和分配。在这里,我们回顾了基本螺旋-环-螺旋(bHLH)转录因子 FIT(FER-LIKE FE DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR)在 Fe 摄取中的作用。FIT 不仅是必不可少的,它还是根细胞中的一个中央调节枢纽,可在不断变化的环境中引导和调整根对 Fe 的吸收速率。FIT 调节一组根 Fe 缺乏(-Fe)响应基因。基于共表达网络和 FIT 依赖的转录组分析的组合,我们定义了一组 FIT 依赖和 FIT 不依赖的基因表达特征和共表达簇,这些特征和簇编码 Fe 调节和 Fe 稳态中的特定功能。这些基因特征可作为标记,将新的调节因子和信号整合到 -Fe 响应级联中。FIT 与 bHLH 亚组 Ib 转录因子形成复合物。此外,它与来自不同信号通路的关键调节剂相互作用,这些调节剂激活或抑制 FIT 功能,以根据生长和环境限制调整 Fe 的摄取。共表达簇和 FIT 蛋白相互作用表明 -Fe 与 ABA 反应和根细胞伸长过程有关,这可以在未来的研究中进行探索。