Deciphering PTMs in Ornamental Plant Responses to Environmental Stressors

Ornamental plant biology has advanced with the recognition that post-translational modifications (PTMs) play fundamental roles in how these species respond and adapt to abiotic stress. PTMs are diverse biochemical modifications that occur after protein synthesis—such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, glycosylation, and acetylation—and act as molecular switches that finely control protein function, stability, localization, and interactions. The field has seen significant progress with the advent of proteomics and refined molecular approaches, revealing intricate regulatory networks governed by PTMs. Yet, despite mounting evidence of their importance in model and crop plants, the specific mechanisms by which PTMs contribute to stress resilience in ornamental species remain insufficiently understood. Critical gaps persist, including limited knowledge of how multiple PTMs coordinate under complex environmental conditions and how these modifications generate the extravagant phenotypes valued in ornamental horticulture.Recent studies have started to unravel the sophisticated ways that PTMs modulate the ornamental plant proteome during episodes of environmental adversity—ranging from drought and salinity to heat, cold, flooding, and increased climate variability. These efforts have not only highlighted known PTMs but also pointed to novel modifications and previously unexplored crosstalk between PTM pathways. Translational applications—from targeted genome editing to advanced breeding—stand to benefit, yet translational success relies on decoding PTM-mediated pathways that confer stress resilience without sacrificing ornamental value. Thus, a comprehensive and comparative investigation of PTMs in ornamental plants under abiotic stress is urgently needed.This Research Topic aims to consolidate new and emerging knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of PTMs in ornamental plant adaptation to a spectrum of abiotic stresses. By fostering interdisciplinary studies, we seek to clarify how PTMs singularly or in concert shape the stress response, survival, and quality traits of ornamental species, furthering the potential for biotechnological and breeding innovations.To gather further insights into the molecular regulation and practical implications of PTMs in ornamental plant abiotic stress responses, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Functional roles and mechanisms of major PTMs (e.g., phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, glycosylation, acetylation) in ornamental plant resilience to diverse abiotic stresses• Identification of novel post-translational modifications and their relevance in plant–environment interactions• Leveraging PTM pathways for genome editing and ornamental plant improvement• Applications of multi-omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) for elucidating PTM-mediated stress tolerance• Crosstalk and integration between different PTMs within stress signaling networks in ornamental plantsManuscripts must go beyond cataloging post-translational modifications (PTMs) and provide mechanistic, validated insights into their biological significance. We encourage submissions of original research, comprehensive reviews, and innovative perspectives aligning with this theme. Topic editors: Xing Cao, Jiahui Liang, Daofeng Liu, Rushil Mandlik Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81280/deciphering-ptms-in-ornamental-plant-responses-to-environmental-stressors