Molecular Mechanisms and Network Integration of Oxylipin Signaling in Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Abstract

Plant oxylipins are a diverse group of oxygenated fatty acid derivatives that function as important signaling molecules in plant responses to abiotic stress. Although jasmonates, particularly jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives, have been extensively studied, increasing evidence demonstrates that other oxylipin classes, including 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA), green leaf volatiles (GLVs), reactive electrophilic oxylipins (RES), and peroxygenase (PXG)-derived oxylipins, also contribute to stress adaptation. This review summarizes current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying oxylipin signal perception, transduction, and regulation, with particular emphasis on interactions with other plant hormone pathways, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Calcium (Ca2+), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. We further examine transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms that regulate oxylipin responses and discuss their integration across individual and combined abiotic stresses. Particular attention is given to experimentally established mechanisms while distinguishing emerging or unresolved signaling processes. Understanding these interconnected signaling mechanisms will be important for developing strategies to improve crop resilience under global climate change.