Phytosulfokine contributes to suspension culture of Cunninghamia lanceolata through its impact on redox homeostasis

BACKGROUND: Suspension culture is widely used in the establishment of efficient plant regeneration systems, as well as in the mass production of plant secondary metabolites. However, the establishment of a suspension culture system of Cunninghamia lanceolata is genotype-dependent given that proembryogenic masses (PEMs) are prone to browning during this process in recalcitrant genotypes. Previously, we reported that the plant peptide hormone phytosulfokine (PSK) can tremendously decrease the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) level and help to initiate somatic embryogenesis (SE) in recalcitrant C. lanceolata genotypes. However, to date, no studies have revealed whether or how PSK may contribute to the establishment of a suspension culture system in these recalcitrant genotypes. RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that exogenous application of PSK effectively inhibited PEM browning during suspension culture in a recalcitrant genotype of C. lanceolata. Comparative time-series transcriptome profiling showed that redox homeostasis underwent drastic fluctuations when PEMs were cultured in liquid medium, while additional PSK treatment helped to maintain a relatively stable redox homeostasis. Interestingly, PSK seemed to have a dual effect on peroxidases (PRXs), with PSK simultaneously transcriptionally repressing ROS-producing PRXs and activating ROS-scavenging PRXs. Furthermore, determination of H(2)O(2) and MDA content, as well as cell viability, showed that exogenous PSK treatment inhibited PEM browning and safeguarded PEM suspension culture by decreasing the H(2)O(2) level and increasing PEM activity. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings provide a valuable tool for the future establishment of large-scale C. lanceolata PEM suspension culture without genotype limitations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-023-04496-1.