NADJEL CADRI, ARIOLA BACU
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) describes a small number of processes that result in a highly controlled, and organised form of cellular destruction, activated in every part of the plant, throughout its entire life cycle. In plants it is fundamental for development, crucial for defense against pathogens, helps plants adapt to stress, and is vital for nutrient recycling, ultimately impacting crop resilience and productivity. Understanding the phenomenon helps scientists engineer stronger, more efficient crops by manipulating these natural death pathways. In this overall context, the review aims to summarize the up to date findings on AL-PCD mechanisms, biochemical and molecular markers, genes involved, etc in wheat. The review starts with general information on main PCD categories at plants, which are likely to overlap extensively, sharing several regulatory mechanisms, to be followed by findings on AL-PCD response of wheat to heat, salinity, nanoparticles, metals, and pathogens. Pathways, molecular markers, and genes involved in AL- PCD response to different triggers, typical timing of markers appearance and longevity, organelles involved, methods of detection (experimental assays) commonly applied in wheat tissues (leaves, roots, spikes, grains, cell cultures) and their limitations, processes triggered by specific pathogens in wheat are described, and to conclude a comparative table is prepared to align similarities among AL-PCD triggered by multiple stresses. The last offers the possibility to understand ovelapping pathways and mechanisms, differences among them as well as unexplored topics of interest.
Key words: apoptosis, senescence, molecular markers, stress adaptation