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Published on: May 21, 2020
Sulfur metabolism-dependent retrograde signalling for oxidative stress acclimation
Riley Furbank1, Zuzana Plskova1,2, Barry Pogson1,2
1Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Plant sulfur metabolism provides key compounds like cysteine and glutathione, essential for stress responses and activating gene expression via the chloroplast retrograde signal 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphate (PAP). This review explores their interconnected roles.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Plant sulfur metabolism is vital for acclimation to abiotic stresses.
- Key compounds include cysteine, glutathione, and 3 -phosphoadenosine 5 -phosphate (PAP).
- PAP acts as a chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signal activating gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review chloroplast retrograde signalling within the context of plant sulfur metabolism.
- To focus on PAP biosynthesis and degradation in secondary sulfur metabolism.
- To explore the integration of sulfur metabolism and retrograde signalling.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on chloroplast retrograde signalling and plant sulfur metabolism.
- Analysis of mechanisms linking primary sulfur metabolism (cysteine, glutathione) to PAP signalling.
- Examination of cell-type specific coordination of sulfur metabolism for PAP synthesis.
Main Results:
- Sulfur metabolism provides essential compounds for redox buffering and retrograde signalling.
- Cysteine and glutathione modulate chloroplast retrograde signalling pathways.
- PAP biosynthesis and degradation are key to secondary sulfur metabolism and signalling.
Conclusions:
- Plant sulfur metabolism and chloroplast retrograde signalling are intricately linked.
- Further research in non-Brassicaceae plants can provide novel insights.
- An integrated understanding is crucial for plant stress response mechanisms.
Keywords:
3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphateSAL1cysteineglutathioneoxidative stressretrograde signallingsulfurMore Related Videos
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