Lipoxygenase Pathway Regulation in Plant Stress Responses

The lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway is a central mechanism by which plants translate environmental cues into biochemical signals that mediate adaptation to both biotic and abiotic stress. LOX enzymes catalyse the stereospecific addition of oxygen to polyunsaturated fatty acids, yielding fatty acid hydroperoxides that are further transformed into a diverse family of oxylipins. Among these, jasmonic acid and its derivatives serve as pivotal hormones governing defence gene expression, stomatal movement and growth modulation. Regulation occurs at multiple levels: gene family diversification into 9- and 13-LOX subtypes with distinct substrate preferences; transcriptional control by stress-responsive transcription factors; feedback loops involving jasmonate signalling components; and subcellular compartmentalisation that permits rapid local and systemic signal propagation. These interconnected processes enable plants to fine-tune reactive oxygen species scavenging, secondary metabolite accumulation and hormonal crosstalk under conditions such as drought, salinity, wounding, temperature extremes, insect attack and pathogen invasion. Harnessing this regulatory network offers the prospect of breeding or engineering crops with enhanced resilience and reduced yield losses under global climate challenges.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have uncovered the role of a melon 13-LOX in coordinating drought tolerance through jasmonate-mediated control of stomatal aperture. Under water deficit, transcription of the LOX gene increases, driving local jasmonic acid accumulation that induces stomatal closure and limits water loss. Overexpression of this enzyme in Arabidopsis elevates drought resilience, while gene silencing in melon leads to larger stomatal openings and heightened susceptibility. A positive feedback loop was revealed in which a jasmonate-regulated transcription factor binds directly to the LOX promoter, amplifying the protective response. This work highlights a precise molecular circuit linking lipid oxygenation to hormonal signalling and stomatal regulation in the face of dehydration stress.

Lipoxygenase Pathway Regulation in Plant Stress Responses publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in lipoxygenase pathway regulation in plant stress responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Lipoxygenase (LOX): A non-haem iron dioxygenase that catalyses oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to generate fatty acid hydroperoxides.

Oxylipins: A broad class of oxygenated fatty acid derivatives, including signalling molecules such as jasmonic acid, involved in stress responses.

Jasmonic acid: A plant hormone produced via the LOX pathway that regulates defence gene expression, stomatal movement and development under stress.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules (e.g. superoxide, hydrogen peroxide) whose levels are modulated during stress and signalling.

Stomatal closure: The process by which guard cells reduce pore aperture on leaf surfaces, limiting water loss and pathogen entry under adverse conditions.

References

1. CmLOX10 positively regulates drought tolerance through jasmonic acid -mediated stomatal closure in oriental melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino). Scientific Reports (2020).
2. Genome-Wide Identification of LOX Gene Family and Its Expression Analysis under Abiotic Stress in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
3. A 13-LOX participates in the biosynthesis of JAs and is related to the accumulation of baicalein and wogonin in Scutellaria baicalensis. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
4. Genome-Wide Analysis of Lipoxygenase (LOX) Genes in Angiosperms. Plants (2023).