Protein S-acylation, a new panacea for plant fitness

Protein S-acylation or palmitoylation is a reversible post-translational modification that influences many proteins encoded in plant genomes. Exciting progress in the past 3 years demonstrates that S-acylation modulates subcellular localization, interacting profiles, activity, or turnover of substrate proteins in plants, participating in developmental processes and responses to abiotic or biotic stresses. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of S-acylation in the targeting of substrate proteins. We highlight complex roles of S-acylation in receptor signaling. We also point out that feedbacks of protein S-acyl transferase by signaling initiated from their substrate proteins may be a recurring theme. Finally, the reversibility of S-acylation makes it a rapid and efficient way to respond to environmental cues. Future efforts on exploring these important aspects of S-acylation will give a better understanding of how plants enhance their fitness under ever changing and often harsh environments.