Peroxisomal Dynamics and Reactive Oxygen Species in Plant Systems
Summary
Peroxisomes are versatile, single‐membrane organelles that orchestrate a range of metabolic processes essential to plant growth, development and stress adaptation. Central to their function is the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide, which serve both as potentially damaging molecules and as key signalling mediators. Peroxisomal dynamics encompass variations in organelle number, morphology and spatial distribution, regulated by coordinated cycles of proliferation, fission and selective degradation. Under developmental cues or environmental stimuli, peroxisomes engage with other compartments—such as mitochondria, plastids and the endoplasmic reticulum—to exchange metabolites and protein factors. This inter‐organellar crosstalk underpins redox homeostasis, lipid metabolism and retrograde signalling pathways that adjust nuclear gene expression in response to peroxisomal activity. Transient extensions of the peroxisomal membrane, termed peroxules, respond rapidly to modest ROS accumulation and may serve as interaction platforms for ROS‐stressed mitochondria or as precursors to full tubular remodelling. At higher ROS thresholds, peroxisomes elongate and divide, boosting cellular capacity to detoxify reactive species. Conversely, selective autophagic degradation maintains peroxisome quality under prolonged stress. Together, these dynamic behaviours ensure that peroxisomes function as both metabolic hubs and signalling centres, contributing to pathogen defence, hormone homeostasis and adaptation to high light, drought or temperature extremes.
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Peroxisomal Dynamics and Reactive Oxygen Species in Plant Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in peroxisomal dynamics and reactive oxygen species in plant systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Peroxule: A thin, transient protrusion from a spherical peroxisome formed in response to low-level reactive oxygen species.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen, including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, that act as both damaging agents and signalling messengers.
Retrograde signalling: Communication from organelles to the nucleus that modulates gene expression in response to organelle status or metabolic cues.
Peroxisomal fission: The division of an elongated peroxisome into two or more organelles, often mediated by dynamin-related proteins.
Pexophagy: Selective autophagic degradation of damaged or superfluous peroxisomes, ensuring organelle quality control.
Post-translational modification (PTM): A chemical alteration of a protein after synthesis, modulating its activity, stability or localisation.
References
- Plant Peroxisomes: A Factory of Reactive Species. Frontiers in Plant Science (2020).
- Dynamics of Peroxisome Homeostasis and Its Role in Stress Response and Signaling in Plants. Frontiers in Plant Science (2019).
- High Light Intensity Leads to Increased Peroxule-Mitochondria Interactions in Plants. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2016).
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