Micro-and Macronutrient Signalling in Plant Cells: A Proteomic Standpoint Under Stress Conditions

Abstract

Micronutrients, like zinc, boron and sulphur, are crucial in electron transport chains of plant cells, membranes and organelles and DNA, RNA and protein interactions. Macronutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium and sulphur play a critical role in early and rapid growth, healthy green colour, root formation, seed production, hardening and plant resistance to disease and flower formation. The balance between the existence of these molecules in an optimum concentration to avoid deficiency indications and the excessive amount that might lead to toxicity is essential for healthy plant growth. Unbalance in the level of concentration in those molecules might lead to effect on the plant growth, delay in fruit maturation and production of nutrient-deficient plants. Proteomic methods show variations of different proteins with multiple functions that might have a direct effect on nutrient deficiency or plant cellular damage. This chapter discusses the involvement of proteomic research on macro-micronutrient content and their effect on plant cell growth and development, energy and carbohydrate metabolism, mechanism of macro-micronutrient signalling and mobilization, interaction with the plant environment, and changes in the nutrient content during biotic and abiotic anxiety.