Molecular shields of the palm: proteomic insights into biotic stress in arecaceae

Abstract The Arecaceae family, comprising economically significant species such as coconut, oil palm, and date palm, has been central to human nutrition and agricultural development since early civilization. Economically, it is among the most vital plant families. Oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ), for instance, is a vital source of edible oil, while date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) yields fruits with high nutritional value and is widely consumed. Researchers have been intrigued by the complicated behaviour of palm tree family members, aiming to identify noteworthy transcripts, proteins, or metabolites that may be connected to important traits. Proteomics, has greatly advanced the knowledge of how plants function. Using different techniques, scientists have mapped proteins across various parts of the plant in different environments. Novel techniques such as gel-free shotgun LC–MS/MS proteomics are included in this review, along with a summary of the main proteins of interest that have been discussed and could be potential protein selection markers for crop improvement. Notable findings include identifying stress-related proteins like heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes, as well as proteins linked to stress responses and defence mechanisms, such as pathogenesis-related proteins in oil palm and date palm leaves. This review synthesizes the latest progress in Arecaceae proteomics and discusses prospective biomarkers that could support breeding more resilient cultivars. Insights from this review aim to support breeding efforts focused on enhancing stress tolerance and overall crop performance in Arecaceae species. The insights from this review may aid in the development of plants with enhanced stress resistance.