Transcription Factors in Plant Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses: Potentials and Prospects in Sugarcane

Abstract

The growth and productivity of most crops are heavily influenced by their susceptibility to a range of biotic challenges. Plants have developed a wide range of intricate defense networks for signal acquisition and transduction the stressors. The efficiency of transcribing target genes, crucial regulators in the progress of crop genetics, is influenced by transcription factors (TFs). These TFs are triggered by various signal transduction pathways and can interact with cis-acting elements, either directly or indirectly, thereby influencing gene expression. Significant progress has been made in the last ten years in comprehending the function of plant TFs as important regulators of biotic stress responses in numerous crops. This review paper offers essential insights into the potential functions of key transcription factor families, particularly WRKY, NAC, MYB, and AP2/ERF, in regulating gene expression in sugarcane and sugar crops in response to biotic stimuli. It also highlights the possible applications of this knowledge in enhancing crop performance. (Figure presented.)