In natural ecosystems, plants are constantly exposed to changes in their surroundings as they grow, caused by a lifestyle that requires them to live where their seeds fall. Thus, plants strive to adapt and respond to changes in their exposed environment that change every moment. Heat stress that naturally occurs when plants grow in the summer or a tropical area adversely affects plants’ growth and poses a risk to plant development. When plants are subjected to heat stress, they recognize heat stress and respond using highly complex intracellular signaling systems such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS was previously considered a byproduct that impairs plant growth. However, in recent studies, ROS gained attention for its function as a signaling molecule when plants respond to environmental stresses such as heat stress. In particular, ROS, produced in response to heat stress in various plant cell compartments such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, plays a crucial role as a signaling molecule that promotes plant growth and triggers subsequent downstream reactions. Therefore, this review aims to address the latest research trends and understandings, focusing on the function and role of ROS in responding and adapting plants to heat stress.
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Reactive oxygen species are signaling molecules that modulate plant reproduction
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can serve as signaling molecules that are essential for plant growth and development but abiotic stress can lead to ROS increases to supraoptimal levels resulting in cellular damage. To ensure efficient ROS signaling, cells have machinery to locally synthesize ROS to initiate cellular responses and to scavenge ROS to prevent it from reaching damaging levels. This review summarizes experimental evidence revealing the role of ROS during multiple stages of plant reproduction. Localized ROS synthesis controls the formation of pollen grains, pollen−stigma interactions, pollen tube growth, ovule development, and fertilization. Plants utilize ROS‐producing enzymes such as respiratory burst oxidase homologs and organelle metabolic pathways to generate ROS, while the presence of scavenging mechanisms, including synthesis of antioxidant proteins and small molecules, serves to prevent its escalation to harmful levels. In this review, we summarized the function of ROS and its synthesis and scavenging mechanisms in all reproductive stages from gametophyte development until completion of fertilization. Additionally, we further address the impact of elevated temperatures induced ROS on impairing these reproductive processes and of flavonol antioxidants in maintaining ROS homeostasis to minimize temperature stress to combat the impact of global climate change on agriculture.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 1939255
- PAR ID:
- 10488268
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Plant, Cell & Environment
- ISSN:
- 0140-7791
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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