Research progress on the function of plant PHD-finger domain protein

The plant homeodomain (PHD)-finger represents a conserved zinc-binding module widely distributed across eukaryote lineages and functions as a key chromatin-associated regulatory element. In plants, proteins containing PHD-finger domains not only mediate protein-protein interactions but also regulate target gene expression through methylation-dependent modulation of chromatin states. This paper synthesizes current knowledge of plant PHD-finger proteins according to domain organization and functional classification, with particular focus on the Alfin-like, VIN3-Like, and MS1 families. These proteins regulate gene expression by recognizing specific histone methylation marks, modulating local chromatin states, and recruiting regulatory complexes to target loci. In addition to transcriptional regulation, PHD-finger proteins participate in SUMOylation-related regulatory pathways, thereby coordinating plant growth, developmental processes, and responses to environmental stress. This review also highlights emerging directions for future research into the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of these proteins.