Polyamine Function in Plant Stress Tolerance
Summary
Polyamines are small, positively charged molecules—primarily putrescine, spermidine and spermine—that accumulate in plant cells in response to environmental stress. They are synthesised from amino acid precursors through dedicated enzyme pathways and modulate key processes such as membrane stability, ion homeostasis and gene expression. Under drought, salinity, temperature extremes and oxidative stress, polyamines interact with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant systems to maintain cellular redox balance. They also influence stress signalling by regulating ion channels and triggering downstream defence pathways. Exogenous application or genetic enhancement of polyamine biosynthesis has been shown to improve crop resilience, offering practical avenues for agriculture in the face of climate change.
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Polyamine Function in Plant Stress Tolerance publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in polyamine function in plant stress tolerance across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Polyamines: Low-molecular-weight aliphatic amines with two or more amino groups that regulate cellular stability, gene expression and stress signalling.
Spermidine: A triamine polyamine central to stress adaptation, membrane protection and activation of antioxidant pathways.
Amine oxidases: Enzymes that catalyse the oxidative deamination of polyamines, producing hydrogen peroxide as a signalling or cytotoxic molecule.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen derivatives, such as hydrogen peroxide, that function in both damage and signalling under stress.
Seed priming: A pre-sowing treatment that exposes seeds to controlled hydration or compounds to enhance germination vigour and stress tolerance.
References
- WRKY27-SPDS1 module of Ichang papeda (Citrus ichangensis) promotes cold tolerance by modulating spermidine content. Horticulture Research (2025).
- Polyamines: Small Amines with Large Effects on Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance. Cells (2020).
- Polyamine Catabolism in Plants: A Universal Process With Diverse Functions. Frontiers in Plant Science (2019).
- Copper-Containing Amine Oxidases and FAD-Dependent Polyamine Oxidases Are Key Players in Plant Tissue Differentiation and Organ Development. Frontiers in Plant Science (2016).
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