Nitric Oxide and Melatonin Cross Talk on Photosynthetic Machinery

Nitric oxide (NO) and melatonin (MT) significantly influence photosynthetic processes by modulating redox homeostasis, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and gene expression, particularly under abiotic stress conditions. This review summarizes the intricate crosstalk between NO and melatonin...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Moon-Sub Lee, Nusrat Jahan Methela, Gun-Ho Lee, Bong-Gyu Mun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/10/2148
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Nitric oxide (NO) and melatonin (MT) significantly influence photosynthetic processes by modulating redox homeostasis, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and gene expression, particularly under abiotic stress conditions. This review summarizes the intricate crosstalk between NO and melatonin, focusing on their coordinated roles in regulating photosynthetic efficiency. Evidence from various plant species indicates that the application of exogenous NO and melatonin enhances chlorophyll content, photosystem efficiency (particularly PSII), and photosynthetic performance, mitigating stress-induced damage. Molecular analysis demonstrates that both molecules influence key photosynthetic gene modulating photosystems I and II, and Calvin cycle activities. Moreover, NO and melatonin collaboratively regulate stomatal movements through ABA, Ca<sup>2</sup>⁺, and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> signaling pathways, involving genes such as <i>PMRT1</i>, <i>CIPKs</i>, and <i>OST1</i>. Experimental data from diverse plant species under stress conditions, including drought, salinity, heavy metals, and flooding, highlight their synergistic protective effects. Exploring these mechanisms further may enable practical agricultural strategies involving combined NO and melatonin treatments to improve crop resilience and productivity under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. Future research directions should emphasize unraveling detailed molecular interactions, enabling targeted biotechnological applications in crop improvement programs for enhanced global food security.
ISSN:1420-3049