Superoxide Dismutase Functions in Plant Stress Tolerance
Summary
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes constitute a primary defence against oxidative damage in plants by catalysing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. This antioxidant mechanism forms the first line of response to diverse environmental challenges, including drought, salinity, extreme temperature and pathogen attack. By maintaining reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, SODs preserve cellular integrity, protect photosynthetic machinery and support metabolic balance. Distinct SOD isoforms—copper/zinc-binding (Cu/ZnSOD), manganese-binding (MnSOD) and iron-binding (FeSOD)—are targeted to different cellular compartments such as chloroplasts, mitochondria and the cytosol, reflecting specialised roles in subcellular ROS scavenging. Modulation of SOD expression and activity under stress conditions has been linked to enhanced stress tolerance in model and crop species, paving the way for genetic and biotechnological interventions aimed at improving resilience and productivity in marginal environments.
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Technical terms
Superoxide dismutase (SOD): Metalloenzyme that converts superoxide radicals to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can damage cellular components.
Abiotic stress: Non-living environmental factors such as drought, salinity or temperature extremes that adversely affect plant growth.
Biotic stress: Harmful interactions with living organisms, including pathogens and herbivores.
Quantitative trait locus (QTL): Genomic region associated with variation in a measurable trait.
Copper chaperone for SOD (CCS): Protein that delivers copper ions to Cu/ZnSOD enzymes, enabling their catalytic activity.
References
- Genome-Wide Identification of Superoxide Dismutase and Expression in Response to Fruit Development and Biological Stress in Akebia trifoliata: A Bioinformatics Study. Antioxidants (2023).
- Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Copper Chaperone for Superoxide Dismutase (CCS) Gene Family in Response to Abiotic Stress in Soybean. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for grain superoxide dismutase activity in wheat. BMC Plant Biology (2024).
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