Melatonin mediated activation of MAP kinase pathway may reduce DNA damage stress in plants: A review

Abstract

Melatonin is an important biomolecule found in diverse groups of organisms. Under different abiotic stresses, the synthesis of melatonin is markedly increased suggesting pivotal roles of melatonin in plants enduring stresses. Being an endogenous signaling molecule with antioxidant activity, melatonin alters many physiological responses and is found to be involved in regulating DNA damage responses. However, the molecular mechanisms of melatonin in response to DNA damage have not yet been studied. The present review aims to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of melatonin in response to DNA damage in plants. We propose that the MAP kinase pathway is involved in regulating melatonin dependent response of plants under DNA damage stress. Where melatonin might activate MAPK via H2O2 or Ca2+ dependent pathways. The activated MAPK in turn might phosphorylate and activate SOG1 and repressor type MYBs to mitigate DNA damage under abiotic stress.

Melatonin Enhances the Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of Mung Bean under Drought and High-Temperature Stress Conditions

“…Earlier findings of Zhao et al [65] confirmed that applying melatonin increases the expression level of genes involved in signal transduction and carbon metabolism of plants under stress, thereby improving the photosynthetic process. The MAP kinase pathway controls the melatonin-mediated regulation of plant response to stress by activating either H 2 O 2 or Ca 2+ -dependent pathways [66][67][68].…”

Melatonin mediates phenolic acids accumulation in barley sprouts under MeJA stress

“…However, the addition of MT could reverse the adverse effects caused by PCPA, and protect the integrity of the cell membrane structure. As a new type of plant hormone, MT not only has the function of alleviating damage caused by various abiotic stresses to plants ( 18 , 19 ), but also can induce the production of some secondary metabolites ( 20 , 21 ), including total phenols, total phenolic acids, and flavonoids. In this study, the addition of MT significantly increased the content of total phenolics and total phenolic acids ( Figures 2A , B ) in sprouts treated with MeJA.…”

“…MT in plant cells has various physiological effects ( 16 , 17 ), including regulating plant growth, seed germination, and enhancing the photosynthetic rate of plants. Furthermore, research has indicated MT could alleviate plant stress by improving oxidative-reductive homeostasis ( 18 ), cell membrane stability ( 19 ), and photosynthetic efficiency ( 18 ). The research also found that exogenous MT serves as a stimulant for secondary metabolites in many plants.…”