Senescence and heat shock protein in plants in response to abiotic stress

During abiotic stress, senescence may occur in plant cells in order to avoid stress, which is manifested in accelerated chlorophyll degradation, decelerated photosynthesis, protein degradation, and increased concentrations of reactive oxygen species, which leads to premature plant growth and reduces yield and quality. Abiotic stress-induced senescence manifests in typical physiological and molecular stress responses which are regulated by hormones and senescence response genes. Almost all stresses induce production of heat shock proteins (HSPs), whose transcription is regulated by heat shock factors. HSPs are molecular chaperones that assist in the correct folding or assembly of proteins, prevent irreversible protein aggregation, and participate in protein transmembrane transport and target protein degradation and other biological functions to maintain cell stability under poor developmental conditions. This article reviews the physiological and biochemical changes in plant senescence and HSP responses under abiotic stress so as to provide a reference for further research on plant abiotic stress tolerance.