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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175488
Title: CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BASIS OF PLANT TOLERANCE TO HEAT STRESS

Author
item Burke, John
item Chen, Junping

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2005
Publication Date: 5/1/2006
Citation: Burke, J.J., Chen, J. 2006. Cellular and molecular basis of plant tolerance to heat stress. In: Huang, B, editor. Plant-Environment Interactions. 3rd Edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 27-46.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant adaptations to temperature occur constantly as temperature patterns modulate diurnally and seasonally. These adaptations entail qualitative and/or quantitative metabolic and physiological changes that often provide a competitive advantage, impact adjustment to new environments, and effect the survival of the species. Changes in isozymes or allozymes, changes in enzyme concentration, modification by substrate and effectors, and metabolic regulation of enzyme function without changing enzyme composition are all possible strategies for adaptation to changes in temperature. The ongoing 'Genomics Revolution' provides further insight into the complexity of metabolic responses to adverse environments with reports of hundreds of genes being down-regulated and/or up-regulated in response to heat stress. This review provides an overview of protective mechanisms and tissue sensitivities to heat stress.