The Role of Anthocyanins in Plant Tolerance to Drought and Salt Stresses

Abstract

Drought and salinity affect various biochemical and physiological processes in plants, inhibit plant growth, and significantly reduce productivity. The anthocyanin biosynthesis system represents one of the plant stress-tolerance mechanisms, activated by surplus reactive oxygen species. Anthocyanins act as ROS scavengers, protecting plants from oxidative damage and enhancing their sustainability. In this review, we focus on molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying the role of anthocyanins in acquired tolerance to drought and salt stresses. Also, we discuss the role of abscisic acid and the abscisic-acid-miRNA156 regulatory node in the regulation of drought-induced anthocyanin production. Additionally, we summarise the available knowledge on transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and development of salt and drought tolerance. Finally, we discuss recent progress in the application of modern gene manipulation technologies in the development of anthocyanin-enriched plants with enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stresses.

Assessment of salt tolerance in phytodesalination candidates: Two varieties of Fimbristylis—F. ferruginea and F. tenuicula

“…Osmoprotectants are pivotal in preserving cellular redox potentials, facilitating water transport from soil to upper plant parts, and mitigating the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among these osmoprotectants, anthocyanins, and proline have emerged as critical defenders against salinity and drought stress (Dabravolski & Isayenkov, 2023). Cyanidin and pelargonidin, two prevalent anthocyanins, serve dual functions as osmoprotectants and antioxidants when plants face salinity and drought stress (Dabravolski & Isayenkov, 2023).…”

“…Among these osmoprotectants, anthocyanins, and proline have emerged as critical defenders against salinity and drought stress (Dabravolski & Isayenkov, 2023). Cyanidin and pelargonidin, two prevalent anthocyanins, serve dual functions as osmoprotectants and antioxidants when plants face salinity and drought stress (Dabravolski & Isayenkov, 2023). The synthesis of anthocyanins initiates a signaling cascade in response to ROS within cellular organelles, such as chloroplasts, mitochondria, or peroxisomes.…”

Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase Gene Family in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) with Transcriptional Analysis under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses and the Role of MiCOMT1 in Salt Tolerance

“…Impaired photosynthetic systems could impede photosynthetic electron transport, resulting in the accumulation of excessive ROS (H 2 O 2 ) under salt stress conditions [ 58 ]. This excess reactive oxygen species activates anthocyanins, which protect plants from damage from reactive oxygen species [ 59 ]. At the same time, it integrates and coordinates various phytohormones’ levels and functions, such as ABA [ 60 ], SA, MeJA, and ETH [ 51 ].…”

Genetic architecture of ecological divergence between Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara

“…Grain length (GL) and width (GWI) were calculated for 10 full seeds, and grain weight (GWE) was measured for 30 full seeds. Three qualitative colour traits that might be related with biotic and abiotic stress in plants (Dabravolski & Isayenkov, 2023; Qin et al., 2021), that is, awn colour (AWC), basal leaf sheath colour (BLSC), and stigma colour (SC), were scored as binary traits, with 1 and 0 indicating the presence and absence, respectively (Table S2).…”