The Transcriptional Modulation of Inositols and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides Pathways in Plants — An (A)Biotic Stress Perspective

Abstract

Among the multifunctional molecules that participate in processes of plant tolerance/ resistance to stresses, inositol (Ins) and its derivatives (phosphorylated, methylated, oxygenated, and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides) have attracted the attention of researchers. These compounds represent versatile and dynamic signaling molecules and osmolytes in all eukaryotes. Due to the impacts related to Ins and its derivatives in a plant cell, assays have been conducted to understand how these biomolecules affect plant physiology. Thus, overexpression or knockout of Ins-related genes has been shown as interesting strategies for generating more efficient plants capable of growing under stress conditions. In this chapter, studies using molecular tools are presented, and the impacts of their results are discussed based on the plant stress tolerance/resistance. Furthermore, an informative panel is provided with transcriptional modulation of genes related to Ins and its derivatives expressed in plants under stress. There is a gap involving about two dozen enzymes associated with the synthesis of Ins-related compounds that have not been adequately studied, and they represent an area of high biotechnological potential.

From Genes to Stress Response: Genomic and Transcriptomic Data Suggest the Significance of the Inositol and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharide Pathways in Stylosanthes scabra, Adaptation to the Caatinga Environment

“…RFO, however, has recently been recommended in human diets to prevent cancer in the digestive tract [31]. In the context of plants, INS and RFO are believed to play crucial roles in various aspects of growth and adaptation [32].…”

Influence of 24-Epibrassinolide on the Energetic Parameters and Early Stages of Growth and Development in Seedlings of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes

“…These monosaccharides then act as a substrate for respiration and other synthetic processes during the plant's growth and development [17,18]. Glucose and its derivatives play a significant role in signaling processes as indicators of carbon status in plant cells via hexokinase enzymes as "sugar sensors" [19], thereby directing carbon metabolism toward catabolism or anabolism by modulating different sets of genes. Sucrose, as a disaccharide, is the major transport sugar in the phloem of the vast majority of higher plants [20] in addition to having a signaling function similar to glucose, reflecting the carbon status of plant cells [21].…”