Regulatory Mechanisms in Photosynthetic Organisms' Stress Adaptation

Photosynthetic organisms combat abiotic stress through intricate molecular signaling pathways, with the chloroplast being a central hub for these regulatory mechanisms. Over the past few decades, significant advancements have been made in understanding retrograde signaling, which regulates the transcription of genes encoding chloroplast-targeted proteins in the nucleus. Additionally, post-translational modifications of chloroplast proteins have been observed, suggesting their role in stress adaptation. Despite these advancements, there remain substantial gaps in our understanding of the mechanistic pathways that lead to adaptation, such as the identification of trigger molecules or cues and the downstream components of specific responses. Recent studies have shown a growing interest in protein phosphorylation and its impact on chloroplast and cyanobacteria functioning, yet only a few regulatory mechanisms, such as the STN7/STN8 protein kinases involved in state transitions, have been well characterized. This highlights the need for further investigation into the regulatory mechanisms that enable photosynthetic organisms to sense and respond to environmental changes.

This research topic aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which photosynthetic organisms sense their environment and adjust their functions to mitigate detrimental effects. The primary objectives include identifying key regulatory pathways, understanding the role of specific proteins and their modifications, and exploring the broader implications of these mechanisms on plant, algae, and cyanobacteria resilience. By addressing these questions, the research seeks to fill existing knowledge gaps and provide a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive processes in photosynthetic organisms.

To gather further insights into the regulatory mechanisms in photosynthesis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Characterizing regulatory mechanisms relevant to adaptation in chloroplasts and cyanobacteria
- Investigating the regulation of photosynthetic activity and other processes affecting plant, algae, or cyanobacteria resilience
- Employing biochemical and molecular biology-based strategies to elucidate mechanisms regulating chloroplast or cyanobacteria function under environmental stresses
- Exploring the role of protein phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications in chloroplast and cyanobacteria adaptation
- Identifying trigger molecules or cues and downstream components involved in stress response pathways

Keywords: photosynthetic organisms, abiotic stress, chloroplast, cyanobacteria

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.