Hydrogen peroxide is a central ROS regulator in plant immunity

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is steadily gaining more attention in the field of molecular biology research as it has a crucial dual role in regulation and control of biological processes, including programmed cell death, development, growth, cell cycle, hormone signaling, biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, when kept at comparatively low concentrations, H₂O₂ acts as a signaling molecule and in many aspects, resembles phytohormones. We examined current developments in H₂O₂ signaling distinct to each cellular compartment and those that are cross-compartmental also. Toxicity due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), plants have adaptive ameliorated complex antioxidative defense mechanism that includes both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components which either scavenge ROS or prevent their detrimental effects on biomolecules. We also summarize the indispensable roles of H₂O₂, transcription factor genes involved in plant defense, its crosstalk with phytohormones and other metabolites of plant defense such as jasmonic acid, ethylene and salicylic acid. In conclusion, we enlist the most challenging current issues in the study of plant ROS biology, w.r.t visualization/imaging, and the necessity of further clarifying the mechanisms that enable multiple signal coordination, sensing, and signaling specialization.