Glutathione and biosensor technologies: Enhancing plant resilience to environmental stressors

Glutathione (GSH) is a critical tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, playing a multifaceted role in plant physiology, especially under stress conditions. As a powerful antioxidant, GSH is essential for maintaining cellular redox balance, which is crucial in protecting plants from oxidative damage. This molecule is deeply involved in a range of physiological processes, such as stress responses, growth, development, and signal transduction. By scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and detoxifying harmful byproducts, GSH enhances plant resilience to environmental stressors and contributes to the synthesis of phytochelatins, which aid in the detoxification of heavy metals. Moreover, GSH plays a significant role in regulating plant growth by influencing processes like cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis. It also modulates key signaling pathways that affect gene expression and hormonal responses, including those involving mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and transcription factors such as NPR1. The redox state of GSH serves as a critical signaling molecule that interacts with several vital pathways, underscoring its importance in enhancing plant adaptation to environmental challenges. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing innovative strategies to improve plant health and stress tolerance. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of GSH application in crops, emphasizing its potential to enhance performance under stress. It also explores advancements in biosensor technologies, such as CRISPR-based systems, for pathogen detection, nutrient monitoring, and stress response evaluation. The integration of GSH insights with biosensors is emphasized for promoting sustainable agriculture and improving crop resilience to climate challenges, while also identifying promising avenues for future research and innovation.