Redox-mediated responses to high temperature in plants

As sessile organisms, plants are particularly affected by climate change and will face more frequent and extreme temperature variations in the future. Plants have developed a diverse range of mechanisms allowing them to perceive and respond to these environmental constraints, which requires sophisticated signalling mechanisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in plants exposed to various stress conditions including high temperatures and are presumed to be involved in stress response reactions. The diversity of ROS-generating pathways and the ability of ROS to propagate from cell to cell and to diffuse through cellular compartments and even across membranes between subcellular compartments put them at the centre of signalling pathways. In addition, their capacity to modify the cellular redox status and to modulate functions of target proteins, notably through cysteine oxidation, show their involvement in major stress response transduction pathways. ROS scavenging and thiol reductase systems also participate in the transmission of oxidation-dependent stress signals. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the functions of ROS and oxidoreductase systems in integrating high temperature signals, towards the activation of stress responses and developmental acclimation mechanisms. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of redox regulation processes in the adaptation of plants to high temperature.

Automated summary

As sessile organisms, plants are susceptible to climate change, especially increasing temperature variations. They have developed sophisticated signalling mechanisms to respond to these environmental constraints. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in plants under stress conditions such as high temperatures and play a key role in signalling pathways. ROS can diffuse through cells and membranes, modify cellular redox status, and modulate the functions of target proteins. This review summarizes current knowledge on the functions of ROS and oxidoreductase systems in integrating high temperature signals and activating stress responses and developmental acclimation mechanisms.