Roles of ROS and redox in regulating cell-to-cell communication: Spotlight on viral modulation of redox for local spread

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species are important signaling molecules that influence many aspects of plant biology. One way in which ROS influence plant growth and development is by modifying intercellular trafficking through plasmodesmata (PD). Viruses have evolved to use plasmodesmata for their local cell-to-cell spread between plant cells, so it is therefore not surprising that they have found ways to modulate ROS and redox signaling to optimize plasmodesmata function for their benefit. This review examines how intracellular signaling via ROS and redox pathways regulate intercellular trafficking via PD during development and stress. The relationship between viruses and ROS-redox systems, and the strategies viruses employ to control PD function by interfering with ROS-redox in plants is also discussed.