Thiol-Based Redox Regulation: Key Mechanisms in Plant Growth and Stress Response

Thiol-based redox regulation and signaling are pivotal in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress, driven by fluctuations in reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur species (ROS/RNS/RSS). These reactive species influence cellular redox states and participate in signaling pathways by inducing redox post-translational modifications (PTMs) on protein cysteine thiols, thereby altering protein function. Protein thiols, known for their high reactivity, undergo various PTMs through enzymatic or non-enzymatic reactions, reversible by redoxins and metabolites like glutathione and ascorbate. This dynamic process allows protein thiols to act as "redox switches," which are crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and coordinating biological processes. Recent advancements in proteomics, structural analysis, and real-time imaging have significantly enhanced our understanding of thiol-based redox regulation in plants. However, challenges remain, particularly in elucidating the specific regulatory roles of thiol-based redox switches in different signaling pathways and in understanding the crosstalk between these pathways and other cellular processes.

This research topic aims to offer a comprehensive overview of recent breakthroughs in thiol-based redox regulation in plants. We eagerly invite high-quality contributions that align with this theme, including all article types accepted by the Plant Proteomics and Protein Structural Biology section. The primary objectives include addressing specific questions about the mechanisms by which thiol-based redox switches regulate signaling pathways, testing hypotheses related to the integration of redox signaling with other cellular processes, and exploring the functional implications of cysteine modifications in plant physiology.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of thiol-based redox regulation and signaling, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

-Advancements in proteomic techniques for studying thiol-based redox regulation.
-Development and utilization of research resources, such as websites, datasets, or toolboxes, to enhance our understanding of plant thiol-based redox regulation.
-Structural analysis of proteins involved in thiol-based redox signaling.
-Functional and biochemical investigations to uncover the roles of cysteine modifications and thiol-based redox switches in plant physiology.
-Exploration of thiol-regulated ROS, RNS, and RSS homeostasis in plants.

Keywords: Thiol signaling, redox regulation, reactive molecular species, post-translational modifications

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.