The teamwork of melatonin, ethylene and H2S in abiotic stress adaptation in plants

Abiotic stresses significantly reduce plant growth and productivity, challenging agricultural sustainability. Plants have evolved adaptive mechanisms to counter these stresses, including antioxidant defences, biochemical changes, and hormonal signaling. Among these, the hormone melatonin (MT) and signaling molecules, ethylene (ET) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), play pivotal roles, interacting in complex ways that modulate stress responses. Melatonin, known for its antioxidant properties, interacts with ET pathways to regulate its production. While ET is essential for stress signaling, its overproduction can exacerbate oxidative damage, and MT helps modulate ET levels to prevent such detrimental effects. Moreover, MT regulates H2S synthesis by activating L-cysteine desulfhydrase (LCD) and D-cysteine desulfhydrase (DCD), enhancing its protective effects under stress. Hydrogen sulfide supports MT synthesis, indicating a bidirectional relationship. Evidence suggests that H2S plays a role in fine-tuning ET levels under stress conditions, supporting optimal signaling for resilience. This review explores the intricate interactions among MT, ET, and H2S, shedding light on potential crosstalk mechanisms that strengthen plant stress tolerance, aiming to enhance crop resilience through targeted manipulation of these pathways.