Involvement of thiol-based mechanisms in plant development

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta 2015-08, Vol.1850 (8), p.1479-1496
• Main Authors: Rouhier, Nicolas, Cerveau, Delphine, Couturier, Jérémy, Reichheld, Jean-Philippe, Rey, Pascal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Glutaredoxin; Glutaredoxins - metabolism; Glutathione; Glutathione - metabolism; Homeostasis - physiology; Life Sciences; Models, Biological; Oxidation-Reduction; Plant development; Plant Development - physiology; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plants - metabolism; Reductase; Sulfhydryl Compounds - metabolism; Thiol group; Thioredoxin; Thioredoxins - metabolism
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 0006-3002; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.01.023

Increasing knowledge has been recently gained regarding the redox regulation of plant developmental stages. The current state of knowledge concerning the involvement of glutathione, glutaredoxins and thioredoxins in plant development is reviewed. The control of the thiol redox status is mainly ensured by glutathione (GSH), a cysteine-containing tripeptide and by reductases sharing redox-active cysteines, glutaredoxins (GRXs) and thioredoxins (TRXs). Indeed, thiol groups present in many regulatory proteins and metabolic enzymes are prone to oxidation, ultimately leading to post-translational modifications such as disulfide bond formation or glutathionylation. This review focuses on the involvement of GSH, GRXs and TRXs in plant development. Recent studies showed that the proper functioning of root and shoot apical meristems depends on glutathione content and redox status, which regulate, among others, cell cycle and hormone-related processes. A critical role of GRXs in the formation of floral organs has been uncovered, likely through the redox regulation of TGA transcription factor activity. TRXs fulfill many functions in plant development via the regulation of embryo formation, the control of cell-to-cell communication, the mobilization of seed reserves, the biogenesis of chloroplastic structures, the metabolism of carbon and the maintenance of cell redox homeostasis. This review also highlights the tight relationships between thiols, hormones and carbon metabolism, allowing a proper development of plants in relation with the varying environment and the energy availability. GSH, GRXs and TRXs play key roles during the whole plant developmental cycle via their antioxidant functions and the redox-regulation of signaling pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Redox regulation of differentiation and de-differentiation. •Plant development is under the control of thiol-based mechanisms.•Regulation of cell redox homeostasis by GSH is essential for meristem functioning.•GRXs are particularly required for the reproductive development.•TRXs play numerous roles during the plant life cycle.•Thiol- and hormone-signaling pathways are intricately linked to carbon metabolism.