Hydrogen sulfide and environmental stresses

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is part of a suite of small reactive molecules which are known to be involved in cell signaling events in plants. It is produced by cells, can move around, including through membranes, and can be removed when no longer needed. It is perceived by cells, partly through persulfidation of proteins. Along with nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (H2S) is involved in a range of stress responses, including following treatment with heavy metals, salt, temperature change and pathogen challenge. (H2S) can lead to changes in the activity of antioxidants, cell signaling proteins such as mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and gene expression. Understanding how (H2S) fits into cell signaling pathways may lead to advances in how treatment with (H2S) or (H2S) releasing donors may improve plant tolerance to stress, and hence plant growth and agricultural outputs.