Genomics GM_W0004

Title : Cell signalling and gene regulation Global analyses of signal transduction and gene expression profiles
Author : Editorial overview Kazuo Shinozaki and Elizabeth S Dennis
Year : 2003
Place of publish : Elsevier
Abstract :

The sessile nature of plants has resulted in the evolution of adaptive
responses to allow them to survive changes in environmental conditions
during growth and development. Plants use various environmental signals,
such as light, temperature and water availability, to regulate the normal
processes of growth, germination and initiation of flowering. Sometimes
severe environmental conditions, such as drought, low temperature, heat,
high salinity or flooding, have adverse effects on plant growth and development.
Plants respond to environmental stresses at cellular and molecular
levels, as well as at physiological levels, so as to confer tolerance of the stress
and ensure survival. The expression levels of many plant genes change in
response to environmental signals. Molecules including protein factors,
hormones and second messengers function in signal transduction pathways
during this response (Figure 1). Signaling processes have often been
described using linear pathways that begin with the initial process of signal
perception and end with terminal events, such