Gibberellin Signaling in Plant Stress Responses
Summary
Gibberellins (GAs) are key phytohormones that regulate plant growth, development and adaptation to environmental challenges. Perception of GA by the soluble GID1 receptor triggers interaction with DELLA proteins, nuclear repressors that inhibit growth-promoting genes. GA-induced degradation of DELLA proteins releases transcriptional networks, thereby modulating cell elongation, seed germination and reproductive development. Beyond these classical roles, GA signalling interfaces with multiple stress pathways. Under drought, salinity or temperature extremes, GA levels and DELLA stability adjust to balance growth and survival, often through crosstalk with abscisic acid, jasmonate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) networks. A subset of GA-responsive genes encodes small cysteine-rich peptides (GASA proteins) that contribute to redox regulation, osmoprotection and cell wall remodelling during stress. Collectively, dynamic regulation of GA biosynthesis, perception and downstream effectors enables plants to prioritise defence and repair mechanisms while preserving developmental plasticity under adverse conditions.
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Gibberellin Signaling in Plant Stress Responses publication trend
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Technical terms
Gibberellin (GA): a group of diterpenoid phytohormones that promote stem elongation, seed germination and developmental transitions.
DELLA proteins: nuclear growth repressors that inhibit GA-responsive genes and are marked for degradation upon GA binding to GID1.
GASA proteins: small cysteine-rich peptides encoded by GA-stimulated genes, involved in growth regulation and stress tolerance.
Abiotic stress: non-living environmental factors such as drought, salinity and extreme temperatures that impair plant physiology.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen that serve as signalling mediators under stress but can cause cellular damage if uncontrolled.
References
- Genome-wide identification and characterization of the lettuce GASA family in response to abiotic stresses. BMC Plant Biology (2023).
- GASA Proteins: Review of Their Functions in Plant Environmental Stress Tolerance. Plants (2023).
- Genome-Wide Comprehensive Analysis of the GASA Gene Family in Populus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
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