Development and cell death domain-containing asparagine- rich protein (DCD/NRP): an essential protein in plant development and stress responses Luiz Fernando de Camargos . Otto Teixeira Fraga . Celio Cabral Oliveira . Jose Cleydson Ferreira da Silva . Elizabeth Pacheco Batista Fontes . Pedro Augusto Braga Reis Received: 20 October 2018 / Accepted: 14 November 2018 Ó Brazilian Society of Plant Physiology 2018 Abstract Plants have evolved intriguing mecha- nisms to cope with environmental changes and developmental signals. These mechanisms are respon- sible for modulating the global gene expression in the cell and promoting a precise adjustment. The signaling pathways do not operate separately but display a complex network implicating the whole cell. The development and cell death (DCD) domain-containing asparagine-rich protein (NRP) plays a role in different stresses and developmental conditions; thereby, is considered an essential gene for plant adaptation and growth. The molecular functions of DCD/NRPs are not well characterized; however, they have been shown to be differentially expressed upon abiotic, biotic and developmental conditions. The evolution of omics approaches has generated data, which can be used to understand the function of NRPs and how they operate in different pathways. Using microarray and co-expression data, we identified that the expression of DCD/NRPs is strongly related to ER stress, ABA signaling, and the heterotrimeric G protein signaling. Interestingly, the involved pathways are also associ- ated with plant development. Thus, NRPs may be a key factor in stress and developmental signaling. Keywords NRPs Á UPR Á G signaling Á ABA Á Cell death response Á Osmotic stress 1 Introduction The plant development and adaptation to environ- mental conditions are strictly controlled by a balance in the gene expression variation. Sophisticated sig- naling networks are regulated to maintain this balance. Signaling pathways are part of the cell communication mechanisms in response to any signal or change in the homeostasis. Although the signal may be originated or perceived by a specific part of the cell, the response and modulation of signaling pathways involve the adjustment of the whole cell, and the crosstalk and signaling among different organelles are essential to a better response to the cell change. Signaling pathways are crucial to understanding how plants perceive any environmental change and how they cope with the changing environment for adjustment. These pro- cesses fascinate scientists around the world and have instigated a continuous interest for a deeper under- standing of the molecular basis of plant signaling. L. F. de Camargos Á O. T. Fraga Á C. C. Oliveira Á J. C. F. da Silva Á E. P. B. Fontes Á P. A. B. Reis (&) Departamento de Bioquı ´mica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Vic ¸osa, Vic ¸osa, MG, Brazil e-mail: pedroreis@ufv.br L. F. de Camargos Á O. T. Fraga Á C. C. Oliveira Á J. C. F. da Silva Á E. P. B. Fontes Á P. A. B. Reis National Institute of Science and Technology in Plant-Pest Interactions, Bioagro, Universidade Federal de Vic ¸osa, Vic ¸osa, MG, Brazil 123 Theor. Exp. Plant Physiol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40626-018-0128-z