Glutathione (Gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) is a ubiquitously distributed sulfurcontaining
antioxidant molecule that plays key roles in the regulation of plant growth development and
abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. It is one of the most powerful low-molecular-weight thiols
which rapidly accumulates in plant cells under stress. Recent in-depth studies on glutathione
homeostasis (biosynthesis degradation compartmentalization transport and redox turnover)
and the roles of glutathione in cell proliferation and environmental stress tolerance have
provided new insights for plant biologists to conduct research aimed at deciphering the
mechanisms associated with glutathione-mediated plant growth and stress responses as well as
to develop stress-tolerant crop plants. Glutathione has also been suggested to be a potential
regulator of epigenetic modifications playing important roles in the regulation of genes
involved in the responses of plants to changing environments.The dynamic relationship between
reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been well documented and
glutathione has been shown to participate in several cell signaling and metabolic processes
involving the synthesis of protein the transport of amino acids DNA repair the control of
cell division and programmed cell death. Two genes gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GSH1)
and glutathione synthetase (GSH2) are involved in GSH synthesis and genetic manipulation of
these genes can modulate cellular glutathione levels. Any fluctuations in cellular GSH and
oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels have profound effects on plant growth and development as
glutathione is associated with the regulation of the cell cycle redox signaling enzymatic
activities defense gene expression systemic acquired resistance xenobiotic detoxification
and biological nitrogen fixation. Being a major constituent of the glyoxalase system and
ascorbate-glutathione cycle GSH helpsto control multiple abiotic and biotic stress signaling
pathways through the regulation of ROS and methylglyoxal (MG) levels. In addition glutathione
metabolism has the potential to be genetically or biochemically manipulated to develop
stress-tolerant and nutritionally improved crop plants. Although significant progress has been
made in investigating the multiple roles of glutathione in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance
many aspects of glutathione-mediated stress responses require additional research.The main
objective of this volume is to explore the diverse roles of glutathione in plants by providing
basic comprehensive and in-depth molecular information for advanced students scholars
teachers and scientists interested in or already engaged in research that involves
glutathione. Finally this book will be a valuable resource for future glutathione-related
research and can be considered as a textbook for graduate students and as a reference book for
frontline researchers working on glutathione metabolism in relation to plant growth
development stress responses and stress tolerance.
