REVEILLE transcription factors as integrators of circadian timing, plant development, and environmental adaptation

REVEILLE (RVE) transcription factors, belonging to the CCA1/LHY-like MYB family, are conserved across the plant lineage and play central roles in regulating the plant circadian oscillator, with emerging functions extending beyond clock regulation to stress modulation. Here, we synthesize recent advances on the evolution, structural architecture, and functional characterization of RVE proteins across plant species. We highlight the functions of RVEs as essential transcriptional activators within the circadian oscillator, as rhythmic chromatin remodelers, and as components of feedback loops that orchestrate day-night gene expression. We discuss the non-circadian functions of RVE genes in plants, including plant growth regulation, metabolic coordination, hormone signaling, and their coordinated roles in responses to cold, salt, and heat stressors. Furthermore, we discuss the emerging functions of RVE genes in soybean and their potential regulation of legume symbiosis. We identify unresolved controversies that warrant further investigation and propose future research directions to address these knowledge gaps. Finally, we outline a research roadmap and discuss the potential of RVE-mediated strategies for soybean trait improvement.