Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits
Published on: February 10, 2023
Sulfur in Dialogue with Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Iron: Regulatory Networks in Plant Nutrient Homeostasis
Afm Mohabubul Haque1, Hideki Takahashi2, Hatem Rouached1,3
1Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
Abstract:
Sulfur (S) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and resilience. The S-amino acids cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met) are indispensable for protein synthesis and structural integrity, as well as redox homeostasis and cofactor assembly. Over the past several decades, biochemical and molecular genetic studies demonstrated the core steps in sulfate (SO42-) uptake and assimilation pathways, while it has become increasingly evident that S homeostasis in plants cannot be understood in isolation. Robust and reciprocal regulatory interactions link S with phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and iron (Fe). Plants remodel membrane lipid compositions, replacing the phospholipids with sulfolipids under P deficiency. Cys/Met biosynthesis is coordinated with N metabolism. The Fe-S cluster assembly requires a balanced supply of Fe and S. These interactions are orchestrated through shared regulatory circuits and specific hub-regulatory transcription factors, including SULFUR LIMITATION 1 (SLIM1), PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1), NIN-LIKE PROTEIN 7 (NLP7), and FER-LIKE IRON DEFICIENCY-INDUCED FACTOR (FIT). Comparative studies reveal both species-specific and evolutionarily conserved regulatory networks. This review deliberately focuses on mechanistic insights into the regulatory circuits revealed from studies with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, where the genetic and molecular resolution enabled detailed dissection of the signaling and regulatory networks. This review also highlights unresolved mechanistic gaps and provides insights into systems-level understanding and potential translational approaches that can be implemented to improve crop nutrient use efficiency and stress resilience.
More Related Videos
09:13Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements
Published on: July 13, 2016
11:27A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions
Published on: August 25, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Cell Signaling in Plants
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Global Regulatory Systems
Water and Mineral Acquisition