Proteomic Insights into the Impact of Au-NPs on Plants Under Abiotic Stress

Proteomics, a prominent investigative field in the past decade, has garnered substantial attention for comprehending cellular functions, fostering potential advancements in disease diagnosis, prevention, and targeted therapeutic strategies. To attain a profound understanding, an exhaustive examination of all organism-expressed proteins under specific conditions is imperative. This involves a comprehensive analysis encompassing protein structure, localization, modifications, functions, and interactions with other proteins. Post-translation modifications (PTMs), including glycosylation, S-nitrosylation, and phosphorylation, bear critical importance, emphasizing the intricate nature of proteomic studies. The complexity of the proteome, illustrated by limited knowledge of a significant portion of protein-coding human genes, poses a formidable challenge. Recent studies involving Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to Au NPs unveil the induction of glutathione S-transferases in the shoot, suggesting potential applications for AuNPs in proteomic techniques. The anticipated continuous growth in AuNPs potentialities over the next five years positions them as valuable tools for protein enrichment, structural characterization, and analyte detection due to their distinctive characteristics. Transcriptomics efforts have been made to comprehend metal-related regulatory processes in plants, yet challenges persist in translating gene expressions to protein synthesis. Quantitative proteomic analysis emerges as a crucial improvement, aiding in molecular event comprehension and identification of key regulators. Comparative proteome analysis, particularly in response to various stimuli, demonstrates Au's impact on proteins, revealing alterations in cellular metabolism and redox-maintaining proteins. Notably, AuNPs induce oxidative stress, affecting mitochondrial proteins, ROS scavengers, and tonoplast-associated proteins. This study delves into the potential role of AuNPs in regulating defense systems, ion balance, and stomatal dynamics in wheat plants under salt stress. The synthesized AuNPs exhibit efficacy in mitigating salt stress responses, highlighting their significant role in enhancing wheat plant productivity. The study scrutinizes stress markers, such as H2O2 and LOX, elucidating the positive interaction between AuNPs and antioxidants under salt stress conditions. Furthermore, AuNPs-mediated activation of the glyoxalase system demonstrates its potential in mitigating oxidative stress-induced responses, emphasizing the importance of this approach in adjusting osmotic balance under salt stress.