Abstract
In recent years, research on spermine (Spm) has turned up a lot of new information about this essential polyamine, especially as it is able to counteract damage from abiotic stresses. Spm has been shown to protect plants from a variety of environmental insults, but whether it can prevent the adverse effects of drought has not yet been reported. Drought stress increases endogenous Spm in plants and exogenous application of Spm improves the plants’ ability to tolerate drought stress. Spm’s role in enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms, glyoxalase systems, methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification, and creating tolerance for drought-induced oxidative stress is well documented in plants. However, the influences of enzyme activity and osmoregulation on Spm biosynthesis and metabolism are variable. Spm interacts with other molecules like nitric oxide (NO) and phytohormones such as abscisic acid, salicylic acid, brassinosteroids, and ethylene, to coordinate the reactions necessary for developing drought tolerance. This review focuses on the role of Spm in plants under severe drought stress. We have proposed models to explain how Spm interacts with existing defense mechanisms in plants to improve drought tolerance.
Highlights
Drought negatively affects root development, and impairs the growth of the upper parts resulting in decreased global crop yields
Many studies confirm that Spm levels are increased under drought stress in plants, and this plays an important role in physiological functions
Spm activates antioxidants and promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging under drought stress to protect biomolecules and membranes from damage
Summary
Polyamines (PAs) are water-soluble polycations that have important roles in the normal physiological and developmental functions of plants, as well as in the development of tolerance under conditions of abiotic stress [1,2]. Spermine (Spm), putrescine (Put), and spermidine (Spd) are low-molecular weight polyamines with aliphatic nitrogenous bases that are found in almost all types of living organisms [2]. They serve indispensable functions in physiological and developmental processes such as cell division, embryogenesis, floral emergence, leaf senescence, and responses to abiotic stress [3]. Spm can significantly enhance plants’ resistance to several environmental stressors, including drought, salt, and heavy metals. Spm-mediated enhancement of plant tolerance through antioxidant activity and synergy with other molecules in plants under drought stress
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