Biology subjects

Pelaez-Vico, M. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Pelaez-Vico, M. A..

11 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

RAP2.3 is required for MYB51 and SIGMA3 expression during the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to multifactorial stress combination

In nature, plants are subjected to multiple environmental stress factors simultaneously or sequentially. Recent studies revealed that when three or more stress factors impact a plant simultaneously (termed multifactorial stress combination; MFSC), plant survival declines, even if the intensity of each individual stress involved in the MFSC is low. We previously identified RAP2.3 as a key transcription factor (TF) required for Arabidopsis thaliana survival, specifically under a MFSC of salt+excess light+heat stress (i.e., S+EL+HS). Here we report that RAP2.3 is required for the expression of SIGMA3, a nuclear-encoded factor that directs plastid RNA polymerase to specific plastid promoters, and MYB51, a key stress response TF involved in glucosinolate metabolism and oxidative stress responses, specifically during a MFSC of S+EL+HS. Like rap2.3 mutants, myb51 and sig3 mutants display significantly low survival rate specifically under the MFSC of S+EL+HS. Based on MYB51 gene regulatory network analysis and characterization of jasmonic acid (JA) mutants, we further reveal that suppression of JA signaling could play an important role in promoting plant survival under conditions of S+EL+HS. Our findings uncover an additional layer of the response of plants to MFSC, as well as identify potential targets for breeding crops with enhanced tolerance to climate change.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

The lack of peroxisomal Glycolate Oxidases 1 and 2 influences mitochondrial electron transport chain and its redox state under control and cadmium stress

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to cadmium (Cd) has been extensively studied, demonstrating that they play a key role in the plants response to this heavy metal. While the role of enzymes like RBOHs has been thoroughly studied, the function of other ROS-producing enzymes, such as peroxisomal glycolate oxidase (GOX), remains largely overlooked. Peroxisomal GOX is a core metabolic enzyme of the photorespiratory pathway occurring in chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes. Using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants lacking the main peroxisomal GOX genes, GOX1 (gox1-1) and GOX2 (gox2-1) we explored their function in plant response to Cd. Although photosynthetic capacity appears to be affected to the same extent in both mutants under control and Cd stress conditions, GOX2 seems to play a greater role in ROS production in response to the metal. Transcriptomic analyses on WT and gox2-1 pointed to the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) as a target of Cd stress. We further investigated the individual GOX1 and GOX2 functions in mETC regulation and redox state. Although oxidative ratio of mitochondria was higher in both mutants, it was more pronounced in the absence of GOX1. Furthermore, the mETC is affected in both mutants but the regulation of its components differs in each mutant. These results point out the different functions of the two photorespiratory GOX isoforms in Arabidopsis, leading to a better understanding of the photorespiratory pathway.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Identification of a putative RBOHD-FERONIA-CRK10-PIP2;6 plasma membrane complex that interacts with phyB to regulate ROS production in Arabidopsis thaliana

O_LIReactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate plant growth, development, and responses to the environment. ROS production by the RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE PROTEIN D (RBOHD) protein was recently shown to be regulated by PHYTOCHROME B (phyB), and phyB was found to be phosphorylated by FERONIA, highlighting the possibility that these three proteins interact to regulate ROS levels during stress. C_LIO_LIImmunoprecipitation and proximity labelling, followed by split-luciferase and functional validation assays, were used to study the interactions between FERONIA, phyB, and RBOHD during excess light (EL) stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. C_LIO_LIWe reveal that phyB and FERONIA interact with RBOHD, that phosphorylation of phyB by FERONIA, as well as the kinase activity of FERONIA, are required for RBOHD-driven ROS production in response to EL stress, and that CYSTEINE-RICH RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 10 (CRK10) and PLASMA MEMBRANE INTRINSIC PROTEIN 2;6 (PIP2;6) interact with RBOHD and phyB and are also required for EL-driven RBOHD ROS production. C_LIO_LIOur findings uncover the existence of a putative plasma membrane complex between FERONIA, RBOHD, CRK10, and PIP2;6 that interacts with phyB to regulate ROS production in Arabidopsis in response to stress. This complex could play a canonical role in the integration and regulation of multiple signaling pathways in plants. C_LI Plain Language SummaryWe identified a complex between several different proteins at the plasma membrane that interacts with the light and temperature receptor protein phytochrome B to regulate reactive oxygen species formation during stress in plants. This complex could be involved in the regulation and integration of multiple abiotic and biotic signals in plants. tenten

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

United we stand: Plants that physically touch each other are more resilient to stress

Plants use sophisticated signaling networks to communicate with each other. While this process is thought to support the overall health and resilience of plant communities, it could also reflect eavesdropping between plants used for competition. Here we reveal that plants that physically touch each other aboveground are more resilient to excess light stress, and that this phenomenon is dependent on the ability of plants to exchange aboveground electric and H2O2 signals with each other. Using a mutant that is unable to transfer Ca2+/reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals but can transfer electric signals (hpca1), as a mediator/connector between different plants, we further separate electric from Ca2+/ROS plant-to-plant signals and transcriptional landscapes, and show that the transfer of Ca2+/ROS signals, as well as the function of several Ca2+/ROS-dependent transcripts, is required for excess light stress acclimation. Our study reveals that plants that live together and physically touch each other establish an aboveground community-wide signaling network that enhances their collective resilience to stress. TeaserPlants that physically touch and exchange aboveground signals with each other are more resilient to excess light stress.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

bHLH35 mediates specificity in plant responses to multiple stress conditions

How biological systems respond to stress is a fundamental question in biology, primarily addressed using the reductionist approach of applying one stress condition at a time. In nature, however, organisms experience a multitude of stresses, simultaneously or sequentially, questioning the validity of the reductionist approach for predicting plant responses to stress under natural conditions. Here, we reveal that in the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the transcriptional regulator bHLH35 is required for plant survival under a specific set of stress conditions that includes a combination of salinity, excess light, and heat, occurring simultaneously (but not for each of these stresses applied individually or in any other combination). Under these conditions, bHLH35 interacts with NAC069 and binds the promoter of LBD31, also specifically required for survival under the 3-stress combination. Our findings uncover a high degree of specificity in the response of organisms to stress, a specificity that would not have been revealed using the reductionist approach, and one that should be taken into consideration when developing agronomically important crops with heightened resilience to climate change.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Transcriptomic and physiological responses of soybean plants subjected to a combination of water deficit and heat stress under field conditions

Water deficit, heat stress, and a combination of water deficit and heat stress are highly disruptive to crop yield worldwide. Unfortunately, the frequency and intensity of these conditions is gradually increasing due to climate change. Previous studies of water deficit and heat stress combination were primarily conducted under controlled growth conditions, revealing that the combination of water deficit and heat stress resulted in the activation of unique stress responses and acclimation pathways. However, whether similar responses to stress combination occur in the field remained largely unknown. Here we report on a two-year field study in which the transcriptomic and physiological responses of vegetative and reproductive tissues of soybean (Glycine max) to water deficit, heat treatment and their combination were studied. Our findings reveal that the transcriptomic responses of soybeans grown in the field are different from those grown under controlled growth chamber conditions. These differences were especially noticeable in plants subjected to the heat or water deficit treatments, and less in plants subjected to the stress combination. In addition, we report that differential transpiration between leaves and pods, that was originally discovered in plants grown under controlled growth conditions, occurs in field grown soybeans in response to heat stress, as well as heat stress combined with water deficit. We hope that the transcriptomic datasets generated by our study will contribute to future studies of crop responses to different stresses in the field, as well as highlight the need for more omics studies of plants grown under field conditions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Integrative analysis of plant responses to a combination of water deficit, heat stress and eCO2 reveals a role for OST1 and SLAH3 in regulating stomatal responses

The frequency, intensity and duration of global change factors and/or environmental stressors, such as droughts, heat waves, floods, and pollution, are increasing due to anthropogenic activities, subjecting plants to compound conditions of Global Change Factor combination (GCFc), or stress combination. These can have contrasting or additive effects on plant physiological performance and impact different ecosystems and agro-ecosystems worldwide. Using an integrative physiological, genetic, hormonal, and transcriptomic analysis, we studied the response of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh to a combination of water deficit (WD), heat stress (HS) and/or elevated levels of CO2 (eCO2). Our findings reveal high specificity in plant responses to GCFc. We further reveal that stomatal aperture regulation under conditions of GCFc is controlled by a blend of unique and shared regulators, that together determine the specific aperture size under each different set of GCFc conditions. Under a combination of WD, HS, and eCO2 (WD+HS+eCO2), for example, stomatal closure required the function of nitric oxide, OPEN STOMATA 1 and the S-type anion channel SLAH3, but not the S-type anion channel SLAC1, or many other regulators typically found to control stomatal aperture under less complex conditions, including HS+WD. Our findings highlight the complexity of plant physiological and molecular responses to conditions of stress combination and open the way for future studies of plant responses to stress combination, crucial to our understanding of how GCFc impacts different ecosystems and agro-ecosystems worldwide. In addition, our study provides an initial definition for a stomatal hierarchical stress code that could apply to future studies.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Defining the limits of differential transpiration

Differential transpiration is a newly discovered acclimation strategy of annual plants to a combination of water deficit (WD) and heat stress (HS). Under these conditions (i.e., WD+HS), transpiration of vegetative tissues is suppressed in plants such as soybean and tomato, while transpiration of reproductive tissues is not (termed Differential Transpiration; DT). This newly discovered acclimation process enables the cooling of reproductive organs under conditions of WD+HS, limiting HS-induced damage to plant reproduction. However, at what temperature and WD extremes will this process be active and functional at reducing the internal temperature of reproductive tissues, and at what developmental stages of the plant is it activated, remain unknown. Here, we report that DT occurs at most nodes (leaf developmental stages) of soybean plants subjected to WD+HS, and that it can function under extreme conditions of WD+HS (i.e., 18% of field water capacity and 42{degrees}C combined). Our findings reveal that DT is an effective acclimation strategy that protects reproductive processes from extreme conditions of WD+HS, at almost all developmental stages. In addition, our findings suggest that under field conditions DT could also be active in plants subjected to low or mild levels of WD during a heat wave.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Integrative phenotypic-transcriptomic analysis of soybean plants subjected to multifactorial stress combination

Global warming, climate change, and industrial pollution are altering our environment subjecting crops to an increasing number and complexity of abiotic stress conditions, concurrently or sequentially. Recent studies revealed that a combination of 3 or more stresses simultaneously impacting a plant (termed multifactorial stress combination; MFSC) can cause a drastic decline in plant growth and survival, even if the level of each stress involved in the MFSC has a negligible effect on plants. However, the impacts of MFSC on crops are largely unknown. We subjected soybean plants to a MFSC of up to five different stresses (water deficit, salinity, low phosphate, acidity, and cadmium), in an increasing level of complexity, and conducted integrative transcriptomic-phenotypic analysis of reproductive and vegetative tissues. We reveal that MFSC has a negative cumulative effect on soybean yield, that each set of MFSC condition elicits a unique transcriptomic response (that is different between flowers and leaves), and that selected genes expressed in leaves or flowers are linked to the effects of MFSC on different vegetative, physiological, and/or reproductive parameters. We further reveal that the transcriptomic response of soybean and Arabidopsis to MFSC shares common features associated with reactive oxygen and iron/copper signaling/metabolism. Our study provides unique phenotypic and transcriptomic datasets for dissecting the mechanistic effects of MFSC on the vegetative, physiological, and reproductive processes of a crop plant.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Rapid systemic responses of Arabidopsis to waterlogging stress

Waterlogging stress (WLS) negatively impacts the growth and yield of crops resulting in heavy losses to agricultural production. Previous studies revealed that WLS induces a systemic response in shoots that is partially dependent on the plant hormones ethylene and abscisic acid. However, the role of rapid cell-to-cell signaling pathways, such as the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium waves, in systemic responses of plants to WLS is unknown at present. Here we reveal that an abrupt WLS treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants growing in peat moss triggers systemic ROS and calcium wave responses, and that the WLS-triggered ROS wave response of Arabidopsis is dependent on the ROS generating RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG D (RBOHD), calcium-permeable channels GLUTAMATE-LIKE RECEPTOR 3.3 and 3.6 (GLR3.3 and GLR3.6), and aquaporin PLASMA MEMBRANE INTRINSIC PROTEIN 2;1 (PIP2;1) proteins. We further show that WLS is accompanied by a rapid systemic transcriptomic response that is evident as early as 10 min following waterlogging initiation, includes many hypoxia-response transcripts, and is partially dependent on RBOHD. Interestingly, the abrupt WLS of Arabidopsis resulted in the triggering of a rapid hydraulic wave response and the transient opening of stomata on leaves. Taken together, our findings reveal that the initiation of WLS in plants is accompanied by rapid systemic physiological and transcriptomic responses that involve the ROS, calcium, and hydraulic waves. These findings reveal that systemic plant responses to WLS are rapid and at least partially dependent on cell-to-cell signaling mechanisms.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

The transcriptome of soybean reproductive tissues subjected to water deficit, heat stress, and a combination of water deficit and heat stress.

Global warming and climate change are driving an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events, such as droughts, heat waves, and their combination, inflicting heavy losses to agricultural production. Recent studies revealed that the transcriptomic responses of different crops to water deficit (WD) or heat stress (HS) is very different from that to a combination of WD+HS. In addition, it was found that the effects of WD, HS, and WD+HS are significantly more devastating when these stresses occur during the reproductive growth phase of crops, compared to vegetative growth. As the molecular responses of different reproductive and vegetative tissues of plants to WD, HS, or WD+HS could be different from each other, and these differences could impact many current and future breeding and/or engineering attempts to enhance the resilience of crops to climate change, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of different soybean (Glycine max) tissues to WD, HS, and WD+HS. Here we present a reference transcriptomic dataset that includes the response of soybean leaf, pod, anther, stigma, ovary, and sepal to WD, HS, and WD+HS conditions. Mining this data set for the expression pattern of different stress-response transcripts revealed that each tissue had a unique transcriptomic response to each of the different stress conditions. This finding is important as it suggests that attempting to enhance the overall resilience of crops to climate change could require a coordinated approach that simultaneously alters the expression of different groups of transcripts in different tissues in a stress-specific manner. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA reference transcriptomic dataset of different reproductive tissues of soybean subjected to water deficit, heat stress, and their combination, generated by this study, reveals that different tissues display different responses to these stress conditions. Attempting to enhance the resilience of crops to different stress combinations, associated with climate change, might therefore require simultaneously altering the expression of different sets of transcripts in different tissues in a coordinated and stress-specific manner.

plant biology↗