Comparative Biology of Oxygen Sensing in Plants and Animals

Aerobic respiration is essential to almost all eukaryotes and sensing oxygen is a key determinant of survival. Analogous but mechanistically different oxygen-sensing pathways were adopted in plants and metazoan animals, and include ubiquitin-mediated degradation of transcription factors and direct s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current biology 2020-04, Vol.30 (8), p.R362-R369
Main Authors: Holdsworth, Michael J., Gibbs, Daniel J.
Format: Article
Language:eng
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Aerobic respiration is essential to almost all eukaryotes and sensing oxygen is a key determinant of survival. Analogous but mechanistically different oxygen-sensing pathways were adopted in plants and metazoan animals, and include ubiquitin-mediated degradation of transcription factors and direct sensing via non-heme iron(Fe2+)-dependent-dioxygenases. Key roles for oxygen sensing have been identified in both groups, with downstream signalling focussed on regulating gene transcription and chromatin modification to control development and stress responses. Components of sensing systems are promising targets for human therapeutic intervention and developing stress-resilient crops. Here, we review current knowledge about the origins, commonalities and differences between oxygen sensing in plants and animals. Holdsworth and Gibbs review the comparative evolution and functions of oxygen-sensing in plants and animals, pathways that are analogous but mechanistically distinct, with essential roles in regulating gene expression and physiology.
ISSN:0960-9822
1879-0445