Reactive oxygen species: Multidimensional regulators of plant adaptation to abiotic stress and development

TLDR

Reactive oxygen species are generated during plant metabolism, especially under stress, and while high levels cause oxidative damage, low levels serve as signaling molecules that regulate growth, development, and stress adaptation. The paper reviews methods for detecting ROS and recent advances in ROS signaling, metabolism, and their roles in plant growth and abiotic stress responses. Plants employ enzymatic and non‑enzymatic antioxidant defenses to scavenge ROS and mitigate damage, while recent studies elucidate ROS signaling pathways and metabolic roles in growth and stress responses.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as undesirable by-products of metabolism in various cellular compartments, especially in response to unfavorable environmental conditions, throughout the life cycle of plants. Stress-induced ROS production disrupts normal cellular function and leads to oxidative damage. To cope with excessive ROS, plants are equipped with a sophisticated antioxidative defense system consisting of enzymatic and non-enzymatic components that scavenge ROS or inhibit their harmful effects on biomolecules. Nonetheless, when maintained at relatively low levels, ROS act as signaling molecules that regulate plant growth, development, and adaptation to adverse conditions. Here, we provide an overview of current approaches for detecting ROS. We also discuss recent advances in understanding ROS signaling, ROS metabolism, and the roles of ROS in plant growth and responses to various abiotic stresses.