Translational reprogramming under heat stress: a plant’s perspective

TY - JOUR

T1 - Translational reprogramming under heat stress

T2 - a plant’s perspective

AU - Smith, Moray

AU - Akramin, Aminin Taqrir

AU - Balcerowicz, Martin

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors.

PY - 2025/7

Y1 - 2025/7

N2 - Plants experience dynamic and sometimes extreme fluctuations in temperature on hourly, daily and seasonal scales, which are becoming increasingly challenging as climate change progresses. To maximize fitness and chances of survival, plants continuously adjust their growth, development and physiology to their temperature environment. Changes in protein synthesis are central to these acclimatization processes, enabling rapid and precise modulation of cellular functions. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms driving heat-induced translational reprogramming, integrating insights from animal and yeast systems with current knowledge and emerging hypotheses in plants. We revisit the core stages of translation —initiation, elongation and termination—and the roles of associated translation factors while also exploring emerging areas of interest, including biomolecular condensates, RNA modifications and cis-regulatory elements. Finally, we consider how a deeper understanding of translational control could be harnessed to enhance crop resilience in the face of climate change.

AB - Plants experience dynamic and sometimes extreme fluctuations in temperature on hourly, daily and seasonal scales, which are becoming increasingly challenging as climate change progresses. To maximize fitness and chances of survival, plants continuously adjust their growth, development and physiology to their temperature environment. Changes in protein synthesis are central to these acclimatization processes, enabling rapid and precise modulation of cellular functions. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms driving heat-induced translational reprogramming, integrating insights from animal and yeast systems with current knowledge and emerging hypotheses in plants. We revisit the core stages of translation —initiation, elongation and termination—and the roles of associated translation factors while also exploring emerging areas of interest, including biomolecular condensates, RNA modifications and cis-regulatory elements. Finally, we consider how a deeper understanding of translational control could be harnessed to enhance crop resilience in the face of climate change.

KW - heat stress

KW - protein synthesis

KW - temperature sensing

KW - translation

KW - translation factors

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105010924651

U2 - 10.1098/rsos.250132

DO - 10.1098/rsos.250132

M3 - Review article

C2 - 40727411

AN - SCOPUS:105010924651

SN - 2054-5703

VL - 12

JO - Royal Society Open Science

JF - Royal Society Open Science

IS - 7

M1 - 250132

ER -