Gene regulatory networks underlying sulfate deficiency responses in plants.

This article focuses on the molecular and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying plant responses to sulfate deficiency, a critical factor affecting plant growth, development, and crop yield. Sulfur (S), primarily absorbed as sulfate, is essential for synthesizing amino acids and metabolites important for plant metabolism and defense. The review highlights the central role of the ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE 3-LIKE (EIL) transcription factor SULFUR LIMITATION 1 (SLIM1) in Arabidopsis as a master regulator of sulfate deficiency responses, while also discussing additional transcription factors (TFs) from various families that contribute to this complex regulatory network. Comparative transcriptomic and gene regulatory network analyses across Arabidopsis, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and rice (Oryza sativa) reveal both conserved and species-specific sulfate-responsive genes and TFs, emphasizing the need for further experimental validation in crop species to enhance understanding and improve crop performance under sulfur-limited conditions.