Atmospheric H2S and SO2 as sulfur source for Brassica juncea and Brassica rapa: impact on the glucosinolate composition

Exploring the potential role of hydrogen sulfide and jasmonic acid in plants during heavy metal stress

In plants, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is mainly considered as a gaseous transmitter or signaling molecule that has long been recognized as an essential component of numerous plant cellular and physiological processes. Several subcellular compartments in plants use both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms to generate H2S. Under normal and stress full conditions exogenous administration of H2S supports a variety of plant developmental processes, including growth and germination, senescence, defense, maturation and antioxidant machinery in plants. Due to their gaseous nature, they are efficiently disseminated to various areas of the cell to balance antioxidant pools and supply sulphur to the cells. Numerous studies have also been reported regarding H2S ability to reduce heavy metal toxicity when combined with other signaling molecules like nitric oxide (NO), abscisic acid (ABA), calcium ion (Ca2+), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ETH), jasmonic acid (JA), proline (Pro), and melatonin. The current study focuses on multiple pathways for JA and H2S production as well as their signaling functions in plant cells under varied circumstances, more specifically under heavy metal, which also covers role of H2S and Jasmonic acid during heavy metal stress and interaction of hydrogen sulfide with Jasmonic acid.

Sulfate supplementation affects nutrient and photosynthetic status of Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum differently under prolonged exposure to cadmium

Hydroponic experiments were performed to examine the effect of prolonged sulfate limitation combined with cadmium (Cd) exposure in Arabidopsis thaliana and a potential Cd hyperaccumulator, Nicotiana tabacum. Low sulfate treatments (20 and 40 µM MgSO₄) and Cd stress (4 µM CdCl₂) showed adverse effects on morphology, photosynthetic and biochemical parameters and the nutritional status of both species. For example, Cd stress decreased NO₃^- root content under 20 µM MgSO₄ to approximately 50% compared with respective controls. Interestingly, changes in many measured parameters, such as chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, the concentrations of anions, nutrients and Cd, induced by low sulfate supply, Cd exposure or a combination of both factors, were species-specific. Our data showed opposing effects of Cd exposure on Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn levels in roots of the studied plants. In A. thaliana, levels of glutathione, phytochelatins and glucosinolates demonstrated their distinct involvement in response to sub-optimal growth conditions and Cd stress. In shoot, the levels of phytochelatins and glucosinolates in the organic sulfur fraction were not dependent on sulfate supply under Cd stress. Altogether, our data showed both common and species-specific features of the complex plant response to prolonged sulfate deprivation and/or Cd exposure.

Effects of Plant Hormones, Metal Ions, Salinity, Sugar, and Chemicals Pollution on Glucosinolate Biosynthesis in Cruciferous Plant

Cruciferous vegetable crops are grown widely around the world, which supply a multitude of health-related micronutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidant compounds. Glucosinolates (GSLs) are specialized metabolites found widely in cruciferous vegetables, which are not only related to flavor formation but also have anti-cancer, disease-resistance, and insect-resistance properties. The content and components of GSLs in the Cruciferae are not only related to genotypes and environmental factors but also are influenced by hormones, plant growth regulators, and mineral elements. This review discusses the effects of different exogenous substances on the GSL content and composition, and analyzes the molecular mechanism by which these substances regulate the biosynthesis of GSLs. Based on the current research status, future research directions are also proposed.

Sulfur Compounds in Regulation of Stomatal Movement

Sulfur, widely present in the soil and atmosphere, is one of the essential elements for plants. Sulfate is a dominant form of sulfur in soils taken up by plant roots. In addition to the assimilation into sulfur compounds essential for plant growth and development, it has been reported recently that sulfate as well as other sulfur containing compounds can also induce stomatal movement. Here, we first summarized the uptake and transport of sulfate and atmospheric sulfur, including H₂O and SO₂, and then, focused on the effects of inorganic and organic sulfur on stomatal movement. We concluded all the transporters for different sulfur compounds, and compared the expression level of those transporters in guard cells and mesophyll cells. The relationship between abscisic acid and sulfur compounds in regulation of stomatal movement were also discussed.

Hydrogen sulfide mitigates cadmium induced toxicity in Brassica rapa by modulating physiochemical attributes, osmolyte metabolism and antioxidative machinery

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is helpful for maintaining plant growth under abiotic stresses. The current study elucidated the physiological and biochemical strategies by which sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of H₂S, alleviated cadmium (Cd) toxicity in Brassica rapa. B. rapa plants growing under 50 mgkg^-1 Cd stress showed reduced leaf relative water contents (LRWC), photosynthetic pigments, total soluble proteins, minerals uptake, antioxidants and growth. Furthermore, enhanced accumulation of Cd contents caused augmentation in levels of electrolyte leakage (EL) and methylglyoxal (MG). Nevertheless, improved physiochemical parameters in B. rapa seedlings obtained from seeds primed with 1.5 mM NaHS resulted better phenotype, growth and biomass production in Cd stressed plants. Protective stimulus of H₂S regulated minerals and Cd homeostasis besides increased activity of antioxidants which decreased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), EL, malondialdehyde (MDA) and MG in Cd regimes. Furthermore, H₂S treated seedlings exhibited reduction in Cd content and revealed an active participation in the indole acetic acid (IAA) mediated pathway during stress. The findings of current study propose that H₂S improved stress tolerance and mitigated Cd stress in B. rapa by modulating growth biomarkers and antioxidative system.

The Transcription Factor EIL1 Participates in the Regulation of Sulfur-Deficiency Response

Sulfur, an indispensable constituent of many cellular components, is a growth-limiting macronutrient for plants. Thus, to successfully adapt to changing sulfur availability and environmental stress, a sulfur-deficiency response helps plants to cope with the limited supply. On the transcriptional level, this response is controlled by SULFUR LIMITATION1 (SLIM1), a member of the ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-LIKE (EIL) transcription factor family. In this study, we identified EIL1 as a second transcriptional activator regulating the sulfur-deficiency response, subordinate to SLIM1/EIL3. Our comprehensive RNA sequencing analysis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) allowed us to obtain a complete picture of the sulfur-deficiency response and quantify the contributions of these two transcription factors. We confirmed the key role of SLIM1/EIL3 in controlling the response, particularly in the roots, but showed that in leaves more than 50% of the response is independent of SLIM1/EIL3 and EIL1. RNA sequencing showed an additive contribution of EIL1 to the regulation of the sulfur-deficiency response but also identified genes specifically regulated through EIL1. SLIM1/EIL3 seems to have further functions (e.g. in the regulation of genes responsive to hypoxia or mediating defense at both low and normal sulfur supply). These results contribute to the dissection of mechanisms of the sulfur-deficiency response and provide additional possibilities to improve adaptation to sulfur-deficiency conditions.

Glucosinolate Biosynthesis and the Glucosinolate–Myrosinase System in Plant Defense

Insect pests represent a major global challenge to important agricultural crops. Insecticides are often applied to combat such pests, but their use has caused additional challenges such as environmental contamination and human health issues. Over millions of years, plants have evolved natural defense mechanisms to overcome insect pests and pathogens. One such mechanism is the production of natural repellents or specialized metabolites like glucosinolates. There are three types of glucosinolates produced in the order Brassicales: aliphatic, indole, and benzenic glucosinolates. Upon insect herbivory, a “mustard oil bomb” consisting of glucosinolates and their hydrolyzing enzymes (myrosinases) is triggered to release toxic degradation products that act as insect deterrents. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of glucosinolate biosynthesis, the “mustard oil bomb”, and how these metabolites function in plant defense against pathogens and insects. Understanding these defense mechanisms will not only allow us to harness the benefits of this group of natural metabolites for enhancing pest control in Brassicales crops but also to transfer the “mustard oil bomb” to non-glucosinolate producing crops to boost their defense and thereby reduce the use of chemical pesticides.

Differential partitioning of thiols and glucosinolates between shoot and root in Chinese cabbage upon excess zinc exposure

Zinc (Zn) is one of the important elements of plant growth, however, at elevated level it is toxic. Exposure of Chinese cabbage to elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations (5 and 10 μM ZnCl₂) resulted in enhancement of total sulfur and organic sulfur concentration. Transcript level of APS reductase (APR) as a key enzyme in biosynthesis of primary sulfur compounds (cysteine and thiols), was up-regulated in both shoot and root upon exposure to elevated Zn²⁺, which was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of cysteine in both tissues. In contrast, the concentration of thiols increased only in the root by 5.5 and 15-fold at 5 and 10 μM Zn²⁺, respectively, which was in accompanied by an upregulation of ATP sulfurylase, an enzyme responsible for activation of sulfate. An elevated content of glucosinolates, mostly indolic glucosinolates, only in the shoot of plants exposed to excess level of Zn²⁺ coincided with an increase in gene expression of key biosynthetic enzymes and regulators (CYP79B3, CYP83B1, MYB34). Thus distinct acuumulation patterns of sulfur containing compounds in root and shoot of Chinese cabbage may be a strategy for Chinese cabbage to combat with exposure to excess Zn.

Atmospheric H2S: Impact on Plant Functioning

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an air pollutant present at high levels in various regions. Plants actively take up H2S via the foliage, though the impact of the gas on the physiological functioning of plants is paradoxical. Whereas elevated H2S levels may be phytotoxic, H2S levels realistic for polluted areas can also significantly contribute to the sulfur requirement of the vegetation. Plants can even grow with H2S as sole sulfur source. There is no relation between the rate of H2S metabolism and the H2S susceptibility of a plant, which suggests that the metabolism of H2S does not contribute to the detoxification of absorbed sulfide. By contrast, there may be a strong relation between the rate of H2S metabolism and the rate of sulfate metabolism: foliar H2S absorbance may downregulate the metabolism of sulfate, taken up by the root. Studies with plants from the Brassica genus clarified the background of this downregulation. Simultaneously, these studies illustrated that H2S fumigation may be a useful tool for obtaining insight in the regulation of sulfur homeostasis and the (signal) functions of sulfur-containing compounds in plants.

Sulfur dioxide derivatives alleviate cadmium toxicity by enhancing antioxidant defence and reducing Cd2+ uptake and translocation in foxtail millet seedlings

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) was recently proposed as a novel bio-regulator in mammals. However, the possible advantageous effects of SO₂ in plant adaptation to heavy metal-contaminated environments are largely unknown. In the present study, using Na₂SO₃/NaHSO₃ derivatives as SO₂ donors, we investigated the possible roles and regulation mechanisms of SO₂ in alleviating Cd²⁺ toxicity in foxtail millet seedlings. Exogenous SO₂ derivatives (0.5 mM) application significantly reduced the seedling growth inhibition caused by Cd²⁺ stress. Cd²⁺-induced oxidative damage was also alleviated by SO₂ derivatives, which was supported by the decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the leaves of seedlings pretreated with SO₂ derivatives. These responses were related to the enhanced activities of representative antioxidant enzymes, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, as well as the up-regulation of ascorbate-glutathione cycle, which contributed to the scavenging of Cd²⁺-elicited O₂^•－ and H₂O₂ within the leaves of foxtail millet seedlings. Also, SO₂ derivative application promoted sulfur assimilation and increased the content of glutathione and phytochelatins, which may help to enhance Cd²⁺ detoxification capacity in foxtail millet seedlings. Moreover, application of SO₂ derivatives caused down-regulation of the transcript expression levels of several genes involved in Cd²⁺ uptake and translocation, such as NRAMP1, NRAMP6, IRT1, IRT2, HMA2, and HMA4, thus resulting in reduced Cd²⁺ accumulation in the shoots and roots of Cd²⁺-stressed seedlings. Collectively, these results suggest that exogenous SO₂ derivative application can alleviate oxidative damage and restrict Cd²⁺ buildup, thereby reducing Cd²⁺-induced growth inhibition in foxtail millet seedlings upon Cd²⁺ exposure. This novel finding indicates that the usage of SO₂ derivatives may be an effective approach for enhancing Cd²⁺ tolerance in foxtail millet and other crops.