Cysteine and Cysteine-Related Signaling Pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Cysteine occupies a central position in plant metabolism because it is a reduced sulfur donor molecule involved in the synthesis of essential biomolecules and defense compounds. Moreover, cysteine per se and its derivative molecules play roles in the redox signaling of processes occurring in various cellular compartments. Cysteine is synthesized during the sulfate assimilation pathway via the incorporation of sulfide to O-acetylserine, catalyzed by O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASTL). Plant cells contain OASTLs in the mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cytosol, resulting in a complex array of isoforms and subcellular cysteine pools. In recent years, significant progress has been made in Arabidopsis, in determining the specific roles of the OASTLs and the metabolites produced by them. Thus, the discovery of novel enzymatic activities of the less-abundant, like DES1 with L-cysteine desulfhydrase activity and SCS with S-sulfocysteine synthase activity, has provided new perspectives on their roles, besides their metabolic functions. Thereby, the research has been demonstrated that cytosolic sulfide and chloroplastic S-sulfocysteine act as signaling molecules regulating autophagy and protecting the photosystems, respectively. In the cytosol, cysteine plays an essential role in plant immunity; in the mitochondria, this molecule plays a central role in the detoxification of cyanide, which is essential for root hair development and plant responses to pathogens.

Nitric oxide triggers a transient metabolic reprogramming in Arabidopsis

“…It is formed from serine in two steps, through the O-acetylation of serine by acetyl-CoA to form O-acetylserine, followed by the incorporation of hydrogen sulfide, displacing the acetyl group24. Cysteine synthesis is often the rate limiting step for the formation of glutathione, a critical compound in cellular redox responses25.…”

Comparative transcriptome profiling of two Brassica napus cultivars under chromium toxicity and its alleviation by reduced glutathione

“…Moreover, GSH had additionally induced the cysteine and methionine metabolism pathway in ZS 758 and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis in Zheda 622 as compared with Ck and Cr stress. From the literature, it is cleared that cystine as an amino acid have the unique role in formation of proteom, essential biomolecules and defense compounds due to its unique reactive sulfhydryl group under the stress condition [49]. In case of methionine, there is well documented that a methionine enzyme named as peptide Met sulfoxide reductase that acts as last-chance antioxidant and played an important role in repairing of proteins that damaged by the oxidative stress [50].…”

Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates the Cytosolic/Nuclear Partitioning of Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase by Enhancing its Nuclear Localization

“…Detailed characterization of DES1-deficient mutants (des1) revealed its function in the generation of sulfide in the cytosol for signaling (Romero et al 2013, Romero et al 2014. Thus, DES1 mutation reduces the total leaf endogenous H 2 S concentration and affects important plant processes, such as plant responses to abiotic stress conditions, plant immunity, regulation of leaf senescence, progress of autophagy and modulation of ABA-dependent stomatal closure , Alvarez et al 2012a, Alvarez et al 2012b, Scuffi et al 2014, LaureanoMarin et al 2016.…”