Harmonizing time with survival: Circadian rhythm and autophagy in plants

Abstract

Background

Circadian rhythm (CR) is a self-sustaining biological oscillation that synchronizes physiological processes with the Earth's 24-h light-dark cycle. In plants, it regulates crucial physiological functions. Autophagy, a conserved degradation mechanism, maintains cellular homeostasis by recycling damaged organelles and proteins. Emerging evidence suggests an interplay between CRs and autophagy, optimizing plant survival and productivity.

Scope

This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying CR and autophagy, highlighting their roles in growth and stress adaptation. It further examines how circadian clock components regulate autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in response to external cues.

Major conclusions

CR fine-tune autophagy by temporally regulating ATG gene expression. Key transcription factors, including TOC1 and LUX, modulate autophagic activity, ensuring energy conservation. Autophagy reciprocally influences circadian signaling, adjusting metabolic balance under stress.

General significance

Despite extensive research on circadian regulation, a comprehensive understanding of how core clock components orchestrate ATG gene expression remains lacking. Understanding the crosstalk between CR and autophagy provides insights into plant resilience and productivity, potentially informing crop improvement strategies that enhance stress tolerance and resource efficiency. This review aims to bridge this gap by summarizing recent insights and proposing future research directions.