Crosstalk between Hydrogen Sulfide and Other Signal Molecules Regulates Plant Growth and Development

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), once recognized only as a poisonous gas, is now considered the third endogenous gaseous transmitter, along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Multiple lines of emerging evidence suggest that H(2)S plays positive roles in plant growth and development when at appropriate concentrations, including seed germination, root development, photosynthesis, stomatal movement, and organ abscission under both normal and stress conditions. H(2)S influences these processes by altering gene expression and enzyme activities, as well as regulating the contents of some secondary metabolites. In its regulatory roles, H(2)S always interacts with either plant hormones, other gasotransmitters, or ionic signals, such as abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, auxin, CO, NO, and Ca(2+). Remarkably, H(2)S also contributes to the post-translational modification of proteins to affect protein activities, structures, and sub-cellular localization. Here, we review the functions of H(2)S at different stages of plant development, focusing on the S-sulfhydration of proteins mediated by H(2)S and the crosstalk between H(2)S and other signaling molecules.