Phytosulfokines in plants

Phytosulfokines (PSKs) are small peptide hormones that regulate plant cell division, differentiation, and growth. Discovered in culture studies of plant cells, PSKs act as signaling molecules to stimulate growth responses in tissues such as roots, shoots, and callus. PSKs influence several physiological processes, including tissue repair and response to environmental stresses. In molecular studies, PSKs have been shown to activate specific receptors on the cell surface, initiating pathways that promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Research on PSKs has applications in crop breeding, tissue culture, and plant regeneration, where these peptides are used to enhance growth and resilience under various stress conditions.