Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enhances quality and thermotolerance of pea (Pisum sativum L.) via regulation of ascorbic acid (AsA) synthesis.

Exogenous GABA pretreatment enhances heat tolerance and quality in pea by activating ascorbic acid synthesis, maintaining a high AsA/DHA ratio under heat stress.

• Why it matters: Heat stress from global climate change limits crop productivity and quality, and understanding how to mitigate its effects is crucial for food security.
• What they did: The study applied GABA to pea plants and used transcriptional and pharmacological analyses to show that GABA upregulates AsA biosynthesis genes, especially via the myo-inositol pathway, and depends on AsA synthesis for protection.
• The result: GABA pretreatment alleviated heat-induced cellular damage, suppressed ROS burst, and preserved photosynthesis and growth, suggesting GABA's role as a metabolic signal in stress response regulation.