Turnip Mosaic Virus impairs thermomorphogenetic responses in Arabidopsis plants amid genetic and hormonal disruption

Abstract

BACKGROUND: • Plants rely on thermomorphogenesis (TMG) to adapt their growth and development in response to moderate temperature increases, a process mainly regulated by the PIF4 (Phytochrome Interacting Factor 4) transcription factor and auxin signaling pathways under which Expansins (EXPAs) proteins act to enable cell expansion. • TuMV (Turnip Mosaic Virus), a widespread plant pathogen that induces stress responses by disrupting hormonal and genetic regulatory networks, ultimately impairs host growth and development. • EXPAs are altered by TuMV at 22ºC, however, how TuMV infection affects TMG and its key molecular determinants in Arabidopsis thaliana remains largely unexplored.