title: Boron deficiency and transcript level changes.
abstract: Boron (B) is an essential element for plant growth whose deficiency causes an alteration in the expression of a wide range of genes involved in several physiological processes. However, our understanding of the signal transduction pathways that trigger the B-deficiency responses in plants is still poor. The aims of this review are (i) to summarize the genes whose transcript levels are affected by B deficiency and (ii) to provide an update on recent findings that could help to understand how the signal(s) triggered by B deficiency is transferred to the nucleus to modulate gene expression. In this contribution we review the effects of B deficiency on the transcript level of genes related to B uptake and translocation, maintenance of cell wall and membrane function, nitrogen assimilation and stress response. In addition, we discuss the possible mediation of calcium, arabinogalactan-proteins and other cis-diol containing compounds in the signaling mechanisms that transfer the signal of B deficiency to nuclei. Finally, we conclude that the advance in the knowledge of the molecular basis of B deficiency response in plants will allow improving the tolerance of crops to B deficiency stress.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, E-41013 Sevilla, Spain. jjcamcri@upo.es
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Camacho-Cristóbal
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rexach
authors.forename: M Begoña
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Herrera-Rodríguez
authors.forename: M Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Navarro-Gochicoa
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Fontes
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D001895:Boron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D009088:Mucoproteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C006619:arabinogalactan proteins; D009584:Nitrogen; D001895:Boron; D002118:Calcium