Abstract
Plants have to deal with a wide variety of unfavourable and unavoidable environmental conditions, among which low temperature is one of the most harmful. The temperature conditions determine plant growth, development, and geographic distribution. Recently, climate change results in an increase in the frequency of unfavourable weather phenomena, including sudden frosts. Exposure to low temperature results in disturbance of cellular metabolism and structure, leading, among other negative effects, to the occurrence of oxidative stress. Photosynthetic apparatus is especially prone to damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed because of its overexcitation occurring at low temperatures under light. Among the mechanisms of acclimatisation to cold stress, an important one is an increase in the share of polyunsaturated fatty acid chains (PUFA) in membrane lipids to maintain membrane fluidity. However, PUFA are very susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Therefore, antioxidant protection of lipids is crucial to provide tolerance to cold stress. Prenyllipids, such as carotenoids, isoprenoid chromanols, and isoprenoid quinols, are potent lipophilic antioxidants. Additionally, carotenoids play a crucial role in photoprotection. In this review we tackle the role of lipophilic antioxidants in low temperature-induced stress. Firstly, we describe ROS properties and action, sites of their formation, and the ways of their detoxication. Then, we summarise the current knowledge concerning chemical structures, occurrence, biosynthesis, and function of prenyllipid antioxidants. The third part is devoted to the effects of low temperature stress on plants and the mechanisms enabling acclimatisation and adaptation to cold and frost. The final part focusses on the literature data concerning the role of prenyllipid antioxidants in the response to cold stress.