RETRACTED ARTICLE: Role of amino acids in plant growth, development, and stress responses: a comprehensive review
Ali Heidarzadeh
Abstract
Abstract Amino acids play a pivotal role in plant physiology, extending far beyond their traditional function as protein building blocks. They are central to plant growth, development, and adaptation to environmental stresses by acting as signaling molecules, metabolic regulators, and precursors of crucial phytohormones and secondary metabolites. Despite significant advances, the complex interplay between amino acid metabolism and stress-responsive signaling pathways remains poorly understood, posing challenges to fully harnessing their potential in crop improvement. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding of how individual amino acids influence various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. It explores their involvement in developmental regulation, nutrient assimilation, stress perception and response, and the activation of plant defense mechanisms. Special attention is given to the molecular pathways-such as the shikimate and aspartate family pathways-and the interaction of amino acids with hormones like jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid under biotic and abiotic stresses. We also highlight recent advances in the genetic and transcriptomic regulation of amino acid-mediated stress tolerance. By integrating recent findings, this review proposes future directions for utilizing amino acid pathways to enhance crop resilience and productivity under changing climate conditions. The novelty of this review lies in its molecular-level integration of amino acid functions with stress-responsive signaling networks, providing a fresh perspective for agricultural biotechnology and plant stress physiology.