Molecular Mechanisms of Abiotic Stress Response in Rice

The intensification of global climate change and industrialization has exacerbated abiotic stresses on crops, particularly rice, posing significant threats to food security and human health. The mechanisms by which rice responds to these stresses are complex and interrelated. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying rice's response to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal pollution. We emphasize the molecular mechanisms and structural roles of key proteins involved in these stress responses, such as SLAC1 and QUAC1 in stomatal regulation, HKT and SOS proteins in salinity stress, heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) in temperature stress, and Nramp and ZIP transport proteins in response to heavy metal stress. By elucidating the complex response networks of rice to abiotic stresses, this review identifies crucial targets for breeding stress-resistant rice varieties, which are essential for enhancing yields and ensuring food security.