Phytomelatonin: A Regulator of Diverse Plant Growth and Stress Responses

Dear Colleagues,

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule which is widespread in nearly all organisms on Earth. In vertebrates, melatonin is a well studied darkness hormone secreted by the pineal gland at night, involved in circadian rhythms, sleep, seasonal reproduction and immunity. In plants, the presence of phytomelatonin was detected in 1995. Phytomelatonin is biosynthesized from tryptophan via four consecutive enzymatic steps catalyzed by tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), serotonin N-acetyltransferase 1 (SNAT1), caffeate O-methyltransferase 1 (COMT1) and N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT). In 2018, the first phytomelatonin receptor PMTR1 was identified in Arabidopsis, which opened a door for this regulatory molecule to be considered as a new phytohormone.

Research on phytomelatonin is currently an active topic in plant science. Phytomelatonin has various functions, e.g., in root growth, nutrient uptake, cell growth, seed germination, flowering time and resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of this Special Issue is to cover novel promising research trends and discuss the biological functions of phytomelatonin in growth, development and multiple stress responses. All types of articles, including original research, methods, reviews, perspectives and opinions, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Qi Chen
Prof. Dr. Zed Rengel
Guest Editors

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• phytomelatonin
• signaling
• plant growth and development
• biotic stress
• abiotic stress