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Peer-reviewedCC BYPlant Signaling & Behavior

Metabolic reprogramming in plant defense: linking signaling networks to metabolomics-driven insights

  • Shahrukh Khan1
  • ZEENAT KORAI1
  • Liting Yang2
  • Shakal Khan Korai1
  • Shengnan Li1
  • Usman Zulfiqar3,4
  • Mohammed S. Alotaibi5
  • Dilnozakhon Asadullaeva6
  • Muydinjon M. Muminov7,8
  • Mayank Anand Gururani9
  • X Wang1
9 affiliations
  1. 1College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University
  2. 2Jiangsu Yancheng Wetland Rare Birds National Nature Reserve
  3. 3Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
  4. 4Department of Biology, Nakhchivan State University
  5. 5Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, Turabah University College, Taif University
  6. 6Department of Forestry and Landscape Design, Tashkent State Agrarian University
  7. 7Department of Chemistry, Andijan State University
  8. 8Department of Startup Projects, Kokand University Andijan Branch
  9. 9Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University
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Abstract

Plants adapt to biotic and abiotic stresses through extensive metabolic reprogramming that reallocates cellular resources toward defense while maintaining metabolic homeostasis. This process is tightly regulated by interconnected signaling networks, in which phytohormones, including salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, and abscisic acid, integrate stress perception with transcriptional and metabolic responses. Recent advances in metabolomics have enabled systems-level characterization of these dynamic processes, revealing how metabolic pathways are coordinately rewired during stress adaptation. In this review, we synthesize current understanding of the mechanistic links between early signaling events and downstream metabolic outcomes. We highlight how stress perception through pattern recognition receptors, Ca2+ influx, reactive oxygen species, and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades is coupled to transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of both primary and specialized metabolisms. Key metabolic adjustments include reconfiguration of central carbon metabolism, maintenance of redox balance, and induction of defense-associated compounds such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytoalexins. We further examine the metabolic basis of the growth-defense trade-off, emphasizing the roles of TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) and SNF1-RELATED KINASE 1 (SnRK1) in coordinating energy allocation under stress conditions. Emerging approaches, including targeted and untargeted metabolomics, spatial and temporal profiling, stable isotope-assisted fluxomics, and multi-omics integration, are discussed as key tools for dissecting plant defense metabolism. Despite these advances, challenges remain in linking metabolic changes to causal defense functions and in resolving context-dependent responses under complex stress conditions. Collectively, this review provides a mechanistic and systems-level framework that connects signaling networks with metabolic reprogramming, offering new opportunities for improving crop resilience through metabolic engineering and precision breeding.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{khan2026metabolic,
  title = {{Metabolic reprogramming in plant defense: linking signaling networks to metabolomics-driven insights}},
  author = {Shahrukh Khan and ZEENAT KORAI and Liting Yang and Shakal Khan Korai and Shengnan Li and Usman Zulfiqar and Mohammed S. Alotaibi and Dilnozakhon Asadullaeva and Muydinjon M. Muminov and Mayank Anand Gururani and X Wang},
  journal = {Plant Signaling \& Behavior},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1080/15592324.2026.2672221},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2026.2672221},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Metabolic reprogramming in plant defense: linking signaling networks to metabolomics-driven insights
AU  - Shahrukh Khan
AU  - ZEENAT KORAI
AU  - Liting Yang
AU  - Shakal Khan Korai
AU  - Shengnan Li
AU  - Usman Zulfiqar
AU  - Mohammed S. Alotaibi
AU  - Dilnozakhon Asadullaeva
AU  - Muydinjon M. Muminov
AU  - Mayank Anand Gururani
AU  - X Wang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/13
JO  - Plant Signaling & Behavior
DO  - 10.1080/15592324.2026.2672221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2026.2672221
AB  - Plants adapt to biotic and abiotic stresses through extensive metabolic reprogramming that reallocates cellular resources toward defense while maintaining metabolic homeostasis. This process is tightly regulated by interconnected signaling networks, in which phytohormones, including salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, and abscisic acid, integrate stress perception with transcriptional and metabolic responses. Recent advances in metabolomics have enabled systems-level characterization of these dynamic processes, revealing how metabolic pathways are coordinately rewired during stress adaptation. In this review, we synthesize current understanding of the mechanistic links between early signaling events and downstream metabolic outcomes. We highlight how stress perception through pattern recognition receptors, Ca2+ influx, reactive oxygen species, and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades is coupled to transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of both primary and specialized metabolisms. Key metabolic adjustments include reconfiguration of central carbon metabolism, maintenance of redox balance, and induction of defense-associated compounds such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytoalexins. We further examine the metabolic basis of the growth-defense trade-off, emphasizing the roles of TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) and SNF1-RELATED KINASE 1 (SnRK1) in coordinating energy allocation under stress conditions. Emerging approaches, including targeted and untargeted metabolomics, spatial and temporal profiling, stable isotope-assisted fluxomics, and multi-omics integration, are discussed as key tools for dissecting plant defense metabolism. Despite these advances, challenges remain in linking metabolic changes to causal defense functions and in resolving context-dependent responses under complex stress conditions. Collectively, this review provides a mechanistic and systems-level framework that connects signaling networks with metabolic reprogramming, offering new opportunities for improving crop resilience through metabolic engineering and precision breeding.
SN  - 1559-2316
SN  - 1559-2324
ER  -