Getting a sense for signals: Regulation of the plant iron deficiency response

Understanding the Fe deficiency response in plants is necessary for improving both plant health and the human diet, which relies on Fe from plant sources. In this review we focus on the regulation of the two major strategies for iron acquisition in plants, exemplified by the model plants Arabidopsis and rice. Critical to our knowledge of Fe homeostasis in plants is determining how Fe is sensed and how this signal is transmitted and integrated into a response. We will explore the evidence for an Fe sensor in plants and summarize the recent findings on hormones and signaling molecules which contribute to the Fe deficiency response. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cell Biology of Metals.

► We summarize two strategies for Fe acquisition in plants.
► Strategy I response appears to be controlled by two transcriptional networks: FIT and POPEYE.
► Hormones are implicated in positive and negative control of the Fe deficiency response.