Multifaceted Signaling Networks Mediated by Abscisic Acid Insensitive 4

Although ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 4 (ABI4) was initially demonstrated as a key positive regulator in the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) signaling cascade, multiple studies have now shown that it is actually involved in the regulation of several other cascades, including diverse phytohormone biogenesis and signaling pathways, various developmental processes (such as seed dormancy and germination, seedling establishment, and root development), disease resistance and lipid metabolism. Consistent with its versatile biological functions, ABI4 either activates or represses transcription of its target genes. The upstream regulators of ABI4 at both the transcription and post-transcription levels have also been documented in recent years. Consequently, a complicated network consisting of the direct target genes and upstream regulators of ABI4, through which ABI4 participates in several phytohormone crosstalk networks, has been generated. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the sophisticated ABI4-mediated molecular networks, mainly focusing on diverse phytohormone (including ABA, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, auxin, and jasmonic acid) crosstalks. We also discuss the potential mechanisms through which ABI4 receives the ABA signal, focusing on protein phosphorylation modification events.