The Polyamine Nexus: The Crossroads of Growth, Development, and Stress in Plants and Fungi

This Research Topic aims to delve into the intricacies of polyamine functions in promoting resilience in plants subjected to abiotic stress, such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures or in plant and fungi or bacteria interactions (exhibiting both positive and negative effects). Most of the signalling pathways involved in responses to abiotic and biotic stresses share common elements that are potential nodes of crosstalk. Such common elements may serve as major switching points and play a role in stress tolerance. It is increasingly clear that polyamines are also such switching points, and that polyamine-induced responses are interconnected at many levels.

Polyamines, are small, positively charged molecules that play vital roles in cell growth, development, and various fundamental cellular processes in all living cells. Besides the most abundant and well-studied polyamines, some less plenteous polyamines also exist with specific roles. These include for example agmatine, cadaverine, and thermospermine. Additionally, some organisms, particularly thermophilic bacteria and archaea, contain a wider variety of polyamines with longer chains and branched structures. Over the past two decades, polyamines have been increasingly studied and gained significant attention due to their pivotal role in stress responses. Despite advancements, the understanding of the complex interactions and specific genetic pathways influenced by polyamines remains incomplete, necessitating further exploration into their multifaceted roles.

However, it should be also taken into consideration, that the polyamine metabolism is dynamic, putrescine, spermidine and spermine can be rapidly converted into each other in the polyamine cycle. Furthermore, polyamine metabolism is also linked to the synthesis of plant hormones and other signaling molecules, such as NO, H2O2, or GABA; furthermore, their catabolism is also linked to the C and N metabolism.

By examining polyamine metabolism and signaling at the crossroads of growth, development and stress, the research featured in this research topic seeks to identify and illuminate the genetic and molecular mechanisms that facilitate plant viability and stress tolerance. Additionally, the topic will explore how manipulating polyamine levels could enhance stress tolerance and improve agricultural productivity, addressing pivotal questions on the modulation of these pathways and their practical applications.

To gather further insights in the dynamic role of polyamines, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Polyamine metabolism and functions in different plant species influenced by various circumstances
• Role of polyamines in plant-pathogen interactions or symbiotic associations
• The interactions between polyamine metabolism and hormonal signaling
• Genetic pathways or metabolic shifts activated by polyamines during stress
• Innovative biotechnological approaches to modulate polyamine pathways for improved stress resilience

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: polyamines, plant physiology, mycology, plant science, stress physiology, molecular biology, plant growth, plant development, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, thermospermine, agmatine, cadaverine, biogenic amines, abiotic stress, biotic stress, stress tolerance, stress signaling, plant stress resilience, drought stress, salinity stress, osmotic stress, temperature stress, heat stress, cold stress, heavy metal stress, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS), plant-pathogen interaction, plant immunity, plant-microbe interaction, symbiosis, mycorrhiza, plant-fungal interaction, signal transduction, signaling crosstalk, polyamine metabolism, polyamine biosynthesis, polyamine catabolism, polyamine cycle, metabolic regulation, metabolic crosstalk, hormonal signaling, phytohormones, nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), GABA, carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), polyamine oxidase (PAO), gene expression, gene regulation, genetic pathways, molecular mechanisms, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, biotechnology, genetic engineering, crop improvement, agricultural productivity, crop science, sustainable agriculture, plant viability

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.