Gaseous molecules, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) and nitric oxide (NO), are crucial players in cellular and (patho)physiological processes in biological systems. The biological functions of these gaseous molecules, which were first discovered and identified as gasotransmitters in animals, have received unprecedented attention from plant scientists in recent decades. Researchers have arrived at the consensus that H2 S is synthesized endogenously and serves as a signaling molecule throughout the plant life cycle. However, the mechanisms of H2 S action in redox biology is still largely unexplored. This review highlights what we currently know about the characteristics and biosynthesis of H2 S in plants. Additionally, we summarize the role of H2 S in plant resistance to abiotic stress. Moreover, we propose and discuss possible redox-dependent mechanisms by which H2 S regulates plant physiology.
Keywords: gasotransmitter; hydrogen sulfide; persulfidation; plant physiology; redox signaling; stress response.
© 2020 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.