Metabolism and Signaling by Sulfide and Cyanide
Cecilia GotorSince its beginning, the research of the group has focused on sulfur metabolism in plants. Our initial focus was the study of cysteine biosynthesis and metabolism, which has recently evolved into signaling through cysteine-related molecules such as sulfide and cyanide. We have been pioneers in establishing a change of concept with respect to these molecules, establishing that they are not only toxic molecules, but that, at physiological concentrations, they intervene in the signaling pathways that regulate essential processes in the plant, such as the response to both abiotic and biotic adverse conditions, autophagy, and root hair development. Our current research focuses on deciphering the mechanisms of action of sulfide and cyanide molecules in the regulation of these processes. We have identified posttranslational modifications of cysteine residues in proteins, termed persulfidation and S-cyanylation when generated by sulfide and cyanide respectively. We have demonstrated for the first time persulfidation in plants and S-cyanylation in any biological system.
The main lines of research of our group are the following:
- Determine the functional role of hydrogen sulfide as a signaling molecule in the regulation of essential processes such as autophagy and adaptation of plants to adverse conditions, as a consequence of climate change.
- Determine the role of hydrogen cyanide in signaling the response of plants to pathogens and the development of root hairs.
- Decipher the mechanisms of action, regulation, and potential targets of these signaling molecules.
- Promote public-private research for the agricultural development of sustainable sulfur formulations that stimulate the growth and resilience of crops.
- Develop chemoselective markers that allow the identification of proteins modified with these PTMs, allowing us to extend our knowledge of the regulatory function of HCN in other organisms.
The main commitment of the research group is to become an international academic and research reference in the field of plant biology by deepening the knowledge of the intracellular signaling of gasotransmitters in the regulation and adaptive response of plants to environmental changes and threats. Our group seeks to achieve excellence in research that generates knowledge in the area of Plant Biology that transcends to other areas of life, mainly in pathophysiological processes in humans. We seek a scenario of international and transversal cooperation that allows us to respond to the need to increase the adaptation and resilience of crops.
Name | Surname | Category | Phones | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ángeles | Aroca Aguilar | US Doctor Contract Professor | ||
Reyes | Carrillo Villa | Predoctoral Fellowship | ext. 446085 | |
Pablo | Díaz Rueda | Postdoctoral Researcher | ext. 446085 | |
Irene | García Fernández | CSIC Tenured Scientist | ext. 446041 | |
Cecilia | Gotor Martínez | Researcher professor CSIC | ext. 446016 | |
Carmen | Luque Algaba | Researcher Contract | ext. 446085 | |
David | Montesinos Pereira | Postdoctoral Researcher | ||
Inmaculada | Moreno González | Researcher Contract | ext. 446085 | |
Nazaret | Navarro De La Cruz | Researcher Contract | ext. 446085 | |
Luis C. | Romero González | CSIC Scientifical Researcher | ext. 446043 | |
Celia | Sosa Sánchez | Researcher Contract | ext. 446085 |
- Jurado-Flores A, Aroca A, Romero LC, Gotor C. Sulfide promotes tolerance to drought through protein persulfidation in Arabidopsis. J Exp Bot. 2023 Aug 17;74(15):4654-4669. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erad165.
- García-Calderón M, Vignane T, Filipovic MR, Ruiz MT, Romero LC, Márquez AJ, Gotor C, Aroca A. Persulfidation protects from oxidative stress under nonphotorespiratory conditions in Arabidopsis. New Phytol. 2023 May;238(4):1431-1445. doi: 10.1111/nph.18838.
- Aroca A, Yruela I, Gotor C, Bassham DC. Persulfidation of ATG18a regulates autophagy under ER stress in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 May 18;118(20): e2023604118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2023604118.
- Arenas-Alfonseca L, Gotor C, Romero LC, García I. Mutation in Arabidopsis β-cyanoalanine synthase overcomes NADPH oxidase action in response to pathogens. J Exp Bot. 2021 May 28;72(12):4535-4547. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab137.
- Laureano-Marín AM, Aroca A, Pérez-Pérez ME, Yruela I, Jurado-Flores A, Moreno I, Crespo JL, Romero LC, Gotor C. Abscisic acid-triggered persulfidation of the cysteine protease ATG4 mediates regulation of autophagy by sulfide. Plant Cell. 2020 Dec;32(12):3902-3920. doi: 10.1105/tpc.20.00766.
- García I, Arenas-Alfonseca L, Moreno I, Gotor C, Romero LC. HCN Regulates Cellular Processes through Posttranslational Modification of Proteins by S-cyanylation. Plant Physiol. 2019 Jan;179(1):107-123. doi: 10.1104/pp.18.01083.
- Laureano-Marín AM, Moreno I, Romero LC, Gotor C. Negative Regulation of Autophagy by Sulfide Is Independent of Reactive Oxygen Species. Plant Physiol. 2016 Jun;171(2):1378-91. doi: 10.1104/pp.16.00110.
- Aroca Á, Serna A, Gotor C, Romero LC. S-sulfhydration: a cysteine posttranslational modification in plant systems. Plant Physiol. 2015 May;168(1):334-42. doi: 10.1104/pp.15.00009.
- Romero LC, Aroca MÁ, Laureano-Marín AM, Moreno I, García I, Gotor C. Cysteine and cysteine-related signaling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. Mol Plant. 2014 Feb;7(2):264-76. doi: 10.1093/mp/sst168.
- García I, Castellano JM, Vioque B, Solano R, Gotor C, Romero LC. Mitochondrial beta-cyanoalanine synthase is essential for root hair formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell. 2010 Oct;22(10):3268-79. doi: 10.1105/tpc.110.076828.