Crosstalk among hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) in root-system development and its rhizosphere interactions: A gaseous interactome

Abstract

Root development in higher plants is achieved by a precise intercellular communication which determines cell fate in the primary embryonic meristem where the gasotransmitters H2S, NO and CO participate dynamically. Furthermore, the rhizosphere interaction of these molecules with microbial and soil metabolism also affects root development. NO regulates root growth and architecture in association with several other biomolecules like auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), ethylene, jasmonic acid (JA), strigolactones, alkamides and melatonin. The CO-mediated signal transduction pathway in roots is closely linked to the NO-mediated signal cascades. Interestingly, H2S acts also as an upstream component in IAA and NO-mediated crosstalk during root development. Heme oxygenase (HO) 1 generates CO and functions as a downstream component in H2S-mediated adventitious rooting and H2S–CO crosstalk. Likewise, reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2S and NO crosstalk are important components in the regulation of root architecture. Deciphering these interactions will be a potential biotechnological tool which could provide benefits in crop management in soils, especially under adverse environmental conditions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update of the complex networks of these gasotransmitters during the development of roots.