Plant-microbiome interactions provide novel insights into the regulation of iron-sulfur metabolism in plants

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are at the core of photosynthesis, respiration, and redox homeostasis, yet their biogenesis and stability are highly sensitive to fluctuations in iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) availability. Although the molecular players of Fe and S assimilation pathways are well characterized, the mechanisms mediating the crosstalk between these nutrient networks remain largely unknown, particularly within the context of plant-microbiome interactions. Recent work has revealed that plant-associated microbial communities play active roles in shaping Fe-S metabolism through metabolite exchange, hormonal modulation, and redox signaling. Here we discuss recent research demonstrating how root-associated microbes and synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) can influence Fe and S homeostasis, including the reprograming of plant transcriptional and metabolic networks to preserve photosynthesis under nutrient limitation. We also highlight key microbial strategies, including siderophore-mediated Fe mobilization, S-containing metabolites release, and microbial modulation of hormonal pathways that collectively enhance Fe and S use efficiency. Finally, we discuss future directions for AI-driven trait-based design of SynComs, multi-omics integration, and field-level validation to translate these novel insights into agricultural solutions. Harnessing the power of plant-microbe interactions to improve Fe-S metabolism offers a promising path toward sustainable agriculture and crop productivity under stress and challenging environments.