Melatonin alleviates low-sulfur stress by promoting sulfur homeostasis in tomato plants.

ABSTRACT: Despite involvement of melatonin (MT) in plant growth and stress tolerance, its role in sulfur (S) acquisition and assimilation remains unclear. Here we report that low-S conditions cause serious growth inhibition by reducing chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and biomass accumulation. S deficiency evoked oxidative stress leading to the cell structural alterations and DNA damage. In contrast, MT supplementation to the S-deprived plants resulted in a significant diminution in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, thereby mitigating S deficiency-induced damages to cellular macromolecules and ultrastructures. Moreover, MT promoted S uptake and assimilation by regulating the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in S transport and metabolism. MT also protected cells from ROS-ind

SUBMITTER: Hasan MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6033901 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature