Priming is the cellular state in which the harmful effects of abiotic stress factors in plants are hindered by pre-exposure to a stimulus, thus resulting in greater survival. It is becoming increasingly evident that priming techniques (e.g., external application of natural or synthetic compounds in plants) can enhance the tolerance of crops to environmental stresses. Innovative systems biology approaches such as proteomics are currently recognized as essential tools to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental stimuli and priming phenomena. The few published proteomic studies on priming in the context of environmental stress identify key protein targets and signaling pathways which are being involved in the alleviation of negative effects of stress factors. Since priming is a very promising strategy in modern crop production management, further research is needed in order to establish the global picture of priming phenomena against environmental challenges as well as to characterize specific priming-related protein indicators in plants.

Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana young and mature leaves to the herbicide paraquat (Pq) resulted in a localized increase of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the leaf veins and the neighboring mesophyll cells, but this increase was not similar in the two leaf types. Increased H₂O₂ production was concomitant with closed reaction centers (q_P). Thirty min after Pq exposure despite the induction of the photoprotective mechanism of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in mature leaves, H₂O₂ production was lower in young leaves mainly due to the higher increase activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Later, 60 min after Pq exposure, the total antioxidant capacity of young leaves was not sufficient to scavenge the excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were formed, and thus, a higher H₂O₂ accumulation in young leaves occurred. The energy allocation of absorbed light in photosystem II (PSII) suggests the existence of a differential photoprotective regulatory mechanism in the two leaf types to the time-course Pq exposure accompanied by differential antioxidant protection mechanisms. It is concluded that tolerance to Pq-induced oxidative stress is related to the redox state of quinone A (Q_A).

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), an endogenous gaseous molecule, is considered as a signaling agent, in parallel with other low molecular weight reactive substances, mainly hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO), in various plant systems. New studies are now revealing that the postharvest application of H₂S, through H₂S donors such as sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) or sodium sulfide (Na₂S), can inhibit fruit ripening and senescence programs in numerous fruits. We discuss here current knowledge on the impact of H₂S in postharvest physiology of several climacteric and non-climacteric fruits such as banana, apple, pear, kiwifruit, strawberry, mulberry fruit, and grape. Although there is still a considerable lack of studies establishing the mechanisms by which H₂S signaling is linked to fruit metabolism, we highlight several candidate mechanisms, including a putative cross-talk between H₂S and ethylene, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, oxidative/nitrosative stress signaling, sulfate metabolism, and post-translational modification of protein cysteine residues (S-sulfhydration) as being functional in this H₂S postharvest action. Understanding H₂S metabolism and signaling during postharvest storage and the interplay with other key player molecules would therefore provide new, improved strategies for better fruit postharvest storage. To achieve this understanding, postharvest fruit physiology research will need to focus increasingly on the spatial interaction between H₂S and ethylene perception as well as on the interplay between S-sulfhydration/desulfhydration and S-nitrosylation/denitrosylation under several postharvest conditions.

Nitric oxide (NO) is now recognized as an important signaling molecule and there has been an increasing bulk of studies regarding the various functions of NO in plants exposed to environmental stimulus. There is also emerging evidence, although not extensive, that NO plays systemic signaling roles during the establishment of salt tolerance in many plant species. In this mini-review, we highlight several candidate mechanisms as being functional in this NO systemic signaling action. In addition, we outline data supporting that plants possess prime-like mechanisms that allow them to memorize previous NO exposure events and generate defense responses following salt stress.