Glutathione Peroxidases in Plants: Innumerable Role in Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Plant Development

Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are key reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzyme that catalyses the reduction of H2O2 to prevent the cellular machinery from H2O2 damage. Plant GPXs are similar to animal GPXs, but their active region contains cysteine instead of selenocysteine. Plant GPXs are monomeric proteins that are linked to thioredoxin (Trx) and glutathione (GSH) detoxification pathways. They employ Trx more effectively than GSH to decrease H2O2 and organic peroxides. GPX keeps the thiol-disulfide balance in check and also collaborates with peroxiredoxins and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) to maintain redox homeostasis. GPX plays an important role in response to abiotic and biotic stresses and during plant growth and development processes. Depending on their subcellular localization and the existence of unique cis-acting regulatory elements in the upstream promoter region, various GPX genes respond differently to environmental stresses. The significance of GPXs in response to various abiotic stresses, for instance, cold, drought, heat, oxidative, salt and metal stresses has been discussed in this review. Moreover, we have also explored the involvement of GPXs in plant growth and developmental processes. Hence, this review provides valuable information about the GPX genes which could be utilized in genetic engineering to boost agricultural plant yields under unfavourable conditions.

Automated summary

This review discusses the importance of glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) in plant physiology, including their role in scavenging reactive oxygen species, maintaining redox homeostasis, and responding to environmental stresses. The study of GPX genes provides valuable information for genetic engineering to enhance agricultural plant yields under unfavorable conditions.