Interplay between γ-aminobutyric acid metabolism and other crucial amino acid pathways in modulating plant growth and stress conditions

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid, plays a critical role in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. As a key metabolic and signaling molecule, GABA interacts with various amino acid pathways to maintain energy, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) metabolism, coordinate C/N fluxes, and ensure energy homeostasis and redox balance under stress conditions. Despite its well-documented role in enhancing plant growth and stress resistance, the specific mechanisms underlying GABA's interactions with related amino acid pathways remain largely unclear. This review highlights emerging insights into how GABA interacts with other amino acid metabolic pathways to promote plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. GABA's multifaceted functions include modulating amino acid biosynthesis, maintaining redox balance, and supporting energy metabolism during abiotic and biotic stresses. By integrating genetic, biochemical, and signaling pathways, GABA helps plants to regulate their responses to environmental challenges. However, significant knowledge gaps persist in understanding the regulatory networks centered on GABA and its interplay with other amino acids. This review identifies key areas for future research, emphasizing the need to elucidate the genetic, biochemical, and signaling pathways involved in GABA-mediated plant growth and stress responses. Understanding these GABA-centered regulatory networks is essential for developing strategies to address environmental challenges and improve plant performance under stressful conditions. Furthermore, it highlights the potential applications of GABA in agriculture, including its use as an eco-friendly biostimulant to enhance crop resilience and productivity under stressful conditions.