Emerging Hubs in Plant Light and Temperature Signaling

Abstract

Due to their nature as sessile organisms, plants must accurately sense their surroundings and then translate this information into efficient acclimation responses to maximize development. Light and temperature are two major stimuli that provide immediate cues regarding energy availability, daylength, proximity of other species and seasonal changes. Both cues are sensed by complex systems and the integration of these signals is of very high value to properly respond to environmental changes without being disguised by random changes. For instance a cold day has a different significance if it occurs during the illuminated phase of the day or during the night, or when days are shortening during the fall instead of a long-day in spring. Here, we summarize recent advances in the nature of signaling components that operate as connectors of light and temperature signaling, with emphasis on the emerging hubs. Despite the nature of the thermosensors is still in its infancy compared to an important body of knowledge about plant sensory photoreceptors, the interaction of both types of signaling will not only bring clues of how plants integrate environmental information, but also will help in leading research in the nature of the thermosensors themselves.