The Role of Sulfur Compounds in Controlling Stomatal Movement

Zirong Ren, Yin Wang
Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China

Sulfur, abundantly found in soil and the atmosphere, is crucial as a macronutrient for plants growth and development. Among the various forms of sulfur present in soils, sulfate is a dominant form taken up by plant roots. Recent studies have highlighted that sulfate, along with other sulfur compounds, can influence stomatal movement, in addition to their roles in the synthesis of essential plant compounds. Here, we outlined the processes of sulfate uptake and transport, as well as the assimilation of atmospheric sulfur such as H2O and SO2, and then, concentrated on the effects of inorganic and organic sulfur on stomatal movement. We systematically concluded the transporters responsible for different sulfur compounds and compared their expression levels between guard cells and mesophyll cells. We also explored the relationship between abscisic acid and sulfur compounds in regulating stomatal movement. Future investigations should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between drought stress and sulfate accumulation in guard cells.