Phospholipid signaling in plant growth and development: Insights, biotechnological implications and future directions.

Phospholipid signaling is essential for plant growth and development, orchestrating cellular membrane dynamics and regulating physiological processes critical for environmental adaptation. Phosphatidic acid (PA) plays diverse roles in key plant functions, including facilitating pollen tube growth, protecting against HO-induced cell death, and modulating actin cytoskeleton polymerization. Additionally, PA influences abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, impacting ionic flux, stomatal movement, and superoxide production. Phospholipase D (PLD) emerges as a crucial regulator, potentially linking and orchestrating microtubule reorganization. Saturated fatty acids, produced through phospholipase A (PLA) activity, also regulate various cellular processes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, Defender Against Apoptotic Death1 (DAD1), a plastidic PC-PLA1, supports jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis, which is essential for pollen maturation and flower development. Phospholipid signaling significantly influences stomatal function, with phospholipases modulating stomatal closure. This signaling pathway also plays a critical role in root development, where phosphocholine (PCho) and PA regulate root growth and tip growth of root hairs. This review highlights the pivotal role of phospholipid signaling pathways in coordinating plant growth, development, and responses to environmental cues. It explores the roles of PLD and PA in signal transduction and membrane degradation, particularly in seed aging. Additionally, it discusses the biotechnological applications of plant lipids, including genetic engineering for nutritional enhancement and biofuel production. Despite recent advancements, challenges such as low yield remain obstacles to the widespread adoption of biodiesel technology.