Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in Plant: Molecular Mechanism, Regulation, and Cellular Dysfunction in Response to Development and Stress

Abstract

Programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis is a genetically programmed cellular process. Though in the plant, a true caspase system is lacking, still PCD can occur throughout the life cycle at any cell type, tissue, and organ part in response to a wide range of stimuli. Here we have discussed the current understanding of plant PCD in terms of different pathways, cellular dysfunction, regulation, and signaling mechanisms. Our present study discussed how and to what extent PCD is involved in pre-zygotic and post-zygotic plant life cycle and emphasized to what extent PCD modulated in response to abiotic and biotic stress. Additionally, the expression profile of different PCD-associated genes that are modulated by developmental stage, biotic-abiotic stress, cellular metabolites are also elucidated. Hence, this study will be helpful for understanding the molecular and structural instincts of PCD in different stages of plant growth and development, response to biotic/abiotic stimuli, and cellular dysfunction.

DNA fragmentation and endonuclease activity under the effect of herbicides acetyl-CoA-carboxylase and acetolactat synthase inhibitors

“…During this hydrolysis, the amount of free DNA ends increases that can be detected by the TUNEL assay. Due to the fact that DNA degradation into nucleosomal units is also possible during normal physiological aging of plants [13], all treatments have been compared with corresponding control.…”

“…In plants, the activation of PCD is required for physiological growth and development, and also is a part of the protective response to biotic and abiotic stressors [13,24]. PCD can be subdivided into three stages: signaling stage, execution stage, and dismantling stage.…”

“…Apoptosis was considered as energy-dependent process that principally distinguishes it from necrosis, which is characterized by common deficiency of intracellular energy due to blocking of mitochondrial respiration and/or glycolytic ATP generation [12]. On the other hand, there is an opinion that the differences between necrosis and apoptosis are not qualitative but rather quantitative, so therefore necrosis can be assumed as an actively regulated process and qualified as a separate form of PCD [13]. However, this concept requires further investigation in plant systems.…”

The role of plant proteases in the response of plants to abiotic stress factors

“…PCD in plants can be executed through various pathways, including autophagy, apoptosis, hypersensitive reactions, and autolytic (vacuolar) PCD. Inducing PCD is required for many growth and development processes, such as the development of aleurone cells and grain in cereals, tissues that store seeds, the differentiation of female gametophytes, leaf abscission, pollen separation, the aging of the entire plant, and many more (Mondal et al, 2021;Basak and Kundu, 2022).…”