Mechanisms and dynamics in the thiol/disulfide redox regulatory network: transmitters, sensors and targets

Plant cells sense, weigh and integrate various endogenous and exogenous cues in order to optimize acclimation and resource allocation. The thiol/disulfide redox network appears to be in the core of this versatile integration process. In plant cells its complexity exceeds by far that of other organisms. Recent research has elucidated the multiplicity of the diversified input elements, transmitters (thioredoxin, glutaredoxins), targets and sensors (peroxiredoxins and other peroxidases), controlled processes and final acceptors (reactive oxygen species). An additional level of thiol/disulfide regulation is achieved by introducing dynamics in time and subcompartment and complex association.

► Based on dithiol/disulfide transitions, cells maintain a redox signaling network which forms a regulatory core module in acclimation.
► The network is constructed of redox input elements, transmitters, targets and sensors.
► The balance between reductive input and oxidation by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species defines the redox status of the system.
► The very high number of thiol/disulfide players involved in the network suggests flexibility and specificity in redox mediated responses.
► Peroxidases play multiple functions in the network as antioxidant, redox controller, redox sensor and signal transmitter.