Molecular Insight into Oxidative Stress in Plants

Dear Colleagues,

Under normal conditions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, act as signaling molecules (oxidative signaling) in the regulation of physiological processes in plants. As a result of primary stresses (e.g., drought, frost, heat, salinity, heavy metals, organic toxins, pathogens and pests), ROS can be overproduced and accumulated in plant cells, tissues and organs. Other types of stress can cause an imbalance between the production and removal of ROS leading to the generation of secondary oxidative stress (SOS). This stress can have a destructive effect on many macromolecules within cells, including the oxidation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and can damage the structure and function of cell membranes and organelles. In plants, homeostasis is primarily achieved through cross-talk between different signaling pathways.

Under SOS conditions, there are changes in redox potential, gene expression, metabolite profile and the efficiency of biochemical pathways. Additionally, disruptions occur in the structure and activity of existing biomolecules, and defense mechanisms are activated to reduce the harmful effects of free radicals. In response to this state, the synthesis pathways of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants are activated. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, is particularly important. The non-enzymatic antioxidants include protective proteins (e.g., phytochelatins, metallothioneins, and defensins) and polyphenolic compounds (e.g., polyphenols, phenolic acids and flavonoids), glutathione, proline, melatonin, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and lycopene. Advanced molecular techniques are required to fully elucidate the defense mechanisms involved in SOS.

The goal of this Special Issue is to provide a deeper insight into the molecular response of plants facing SOS. Plant survival and tolerance strategies require changes in physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of cellular metabolism. Application of OMICS studies like transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics can provide information on overexpression of antioxidant enzymes and levels of small-molecule antioxidants.

Dr. Agnieszka Hanaka
Dr. Sylwia Zielińska
Guest Editors

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• ROS detoxification pathways
• enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants
• SOS markers at the molecular level
• cross-talk of ROS with phytohormones
• restoration of plant cell homeostasis
• mechanisms of oxidative damages and antioxidant protection
• multiple signaling cascades in SOS prevention
• transcriptomic analysis in gene regulatory networks
• metabolomic and proteomic analyses