SUMOylation in plants: A versatile post-translational mechanism responding to environmental stresses

Plants, as sessile organisms, continuously encounter challenges posed by fluctuating environmental conditions. To adapt to these stresses, they have developed dynamic regulatory mechanisms, including post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as SUMOylation. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins are covalently attached to target proteins, resulting in alterations to their stability, localization, activity, and interactions. Over the past two decades, SUMOylation has emerged as a critical regulator of responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. This review summarizes recent advancements in the roles of SUMOylation in response to temperature stress, drought conditions, salinity stress, and pathogen attacks. Furthermore, we discuss the mechanism by which SUMOylation functions as an essential molecular switch that balances developmental processes and stress responses, and provide a perspective on future investigations in this field. By integrating current knowledge with future perspectives, this summary and perspective will deepen our understanding of the roles of PTMs in plant stress responses and offer insights for improving crop yields and resistance.