Cold Stress-Induced (Z)-3-Hexenol and Thymol Enhance Cold Tolerance of Tea Plants by Activating Ca²⁺ Signalling.

ABSTRACT: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released under cold stress have emerged as important mediators of stress tolerance. However, the specific functional VOCs and the mechanisms through which they confer cold tolerance remain largely unknown. In this study, we established a Fluo-8-based calcium detection system in tea (Camellia sinensis) protoplasts to investigate the interplay between cold-induced VOCs, calcium signalling, and cold tolerance. We identified (Z)-3-hexenol and thymol as key VOCs that significantly enhance tea plant cold tolerance by activating cytosolic calcium signalling. These VOCs upregulated cold-responsive genes (CsICE1, CsCBF1, and CsCBF2), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and POD), and improved photosynthetic efficiency under cold stress. Furthermore, we revea

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12665057 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature