Nitric oxide signalling in plants

NO, ROS, and cell death associated with caspase-like activity increase in stress-induced microspore embryogenesis of barley

Under specific stress treatments (cold, starvation), in vitro microspores can be induced to deviate from their gametophytic development and switch to embryogenesis, forming haploid embryos and homozygous breeding lines in a short period of time. The inductive stress produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), signalling molecules mediating cellular responses, and cell death, modifying the embryogenic microspore response and therefore, the efficiency of the process. This work analysed cell death, caspase 3-like activity, and ROS and NO production (using fluorescence probes and confocal analysis) after inductive stress in barley microspore cultures and embryogenic suspension cultures, as an in vitro system which permitted easy handling for comparison. There was an increase in caspase 3-like activity and cell death after stress treatment in microspore and suspension cultures, while ROS increased in non-induced microspores and suspension cultures. Treatments of the cultures with a caspase 3 inhibitor, DEVD-CHO, significantly reduced the cell death percentages. Stress-treated embryogenic suspension cultures exhibited high NO signals and cell death, while treatment with S-nitrosoglutathione (NO donor) in control suspension cultures resulted in even higher cell death. In contrast, in microspore cultures, NO production was detected after stress, and, in the case of 4-day microspore cultures, in embryogenic microspores accompanying the initiation of cell divisions. Subsequent treatments of stress-treated microspore cultures with ROS and NO scavengers resulted in a decreasing cell death during the early stages, but later they produced a delay in embryo development as well as a decrease in the percentage of embryogenesis in microspores. Results showed that the ROS increase was involved in the stress-induced programmed cell death occurring at early stages in both non-induced microspores and embryogenic suspension cultures; whereas NO played a dual role after stress in the two in vitro systems, one involved in programmed cell death in embryogenic suspension cultures and the other in the initiation of cell division leading to embryogenesis in reprogrammed microspores.

Peroxynitrite mediates programmed cell death both in papillar cells and in self-incompatible pollen in the olive (Olea europaea L.)

Programmed cell death (PCD) has been found to be induced after pollination both in papillar cells and in self-incompatible pollen in the olive (Olea europaea L.). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are known to be produced in the pistil and pollen during pollination but their contribution to PCD has so far remained elusive. The possible role of ROS and NO was investigated in olive pollen-pistil interaction during free and controlled pollination and it was found that bidirectional interaction appears to exist between the pollen and the stigma, which seems to regulate ROS and NO production. Biochemical evidence strongly suggesting that both O(2)(-) and NO are essential for triggering PCD in self-incompatibility processes was also obtained. It was observed for the first time that peroxynitrite, a powerful oxidizing and nitrating agent generated during a rapid reaction between O(2)(-) and NO, is produced during pollination and that this is related to an increase in protein nitration which, in turn, is strongly associated with PCD. It may be concluded that peroxynitrite mediates PCD during pollen-pistil interaction in Olea europaea L. both in self-incompatible pollen and papillar cells.

FIA functions as an early signal component of abscisic acid signal cascade in Vicia faba guard cells

An abscisic acid (ABA)-insensitive Vicia faba mutant, fia (fava bean impaired in ABA-induced stomatal closure) had previously been isolated. In this study, it was investigated how FIA functions in ABA signalling in guard cells of Vicia faba. Unlike ABA, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), H(2)O(2), and nitric oxide (NO) induced stomatal closure in the fia mutant. ABA did not induce production of either reactive oxygen species or NO in the mutant. Moreover, ABA did not suppress inward-rectifying K(+) (K(in)) currents or activate ABA-activated protein kinase (AAPK) in mutant guard cells. These results suggest that FIA functions as an early signal component upstream of AAPK activation in ABA signalling but does not function in MeJA signalling in guard cells of Vicia faba.

Nitric oxide improves aluminum tolerance by regulating hormonal equilibrium in the root apices of rye and wheat

Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants. Whether NO reduces aluminum (Al) toxicity by regulating the levels of endogenous hormones in plants is still unknown. In this study, the effects of NO on Al tolerance and hormonal changes in the root apices of rye and wheat were investigated. Rye was more tolerant to Al stress than wheat according to the results of root elongation and Al content determined. Root inhibition exposed to Al was in relation to Al accumulation in the root apices. Al treatment decreased GA content and increased the values of IAA/GA and ABA/GA. Supplementation of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) reduced the inhibition of root elongation by increasing GA content and decreasing the values of IAA/GA and IAA/ZR under Al stress. NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylinidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) can reversed SNP alleviating effect on Al toxicity. However, the regulating patterns of NO on the values of ABA/GA, GA/ZR and ABA/(IAA+GA+ZR) were different between rye and wheat. The values of ABA/GA and ABA/(IAA+GA+ZR) increased in rye, but decreased in wheat. The change of GA/ZR value was opposite. These results suggest that NO may reduce Al accumulation in the root apices by regulating hormonal equilibrium to enhance Al-tolerance in plants, which effect is more remarkable in Al-sensitive wheat.

Exposure to nitric oxide increases the nitrosyl-iron complexes content in sorghum embryonic axes

This work was aimed to investigate nitrosyl-Fe complexes formation by reaction of endogenous ligands and Fe, in sorghum embryonic axes exposed to NO-donors. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was employed to detect the presence of nitrosyl-Fe complexes in plant embryos, as well as changes in labile iron pool (LIP). Nitrosyl-Fe complexes formation was detected in sorghum embryonic axes homogenates incubated in vitro in the presence of 1 mM of NO donors: diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA NONOate), S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). In axes isolated from seeds incubated in vivo in the presence of 1 mM SNP for 24 h, the content of NO was increased by 2-fold, and the EPR spectrum from mononitrosyl-Fe complexes (MNIC) was observed with a concomitant increase in the fresh weight of sorghum axes. The simultaneous exposure to deferoxamine and the NO donor precluded the increase in fresh weight observed in the presence of excess NO. While total Fe content in the axes isolated from seeds exposed to 1mM SNP was not significantly affected as compared to control axes, the LIP was increased by over 2-fold.The data reported suggest a critical role for the generation of complexes between Fe and NO when cells faced a situation leading to a significant increase in NO content. Moreover, demonstrate the presence of MNICs as one of the important components of the LIP, which could actively participate in Fe cellular mobilization.

Endogenous nitric oxide mediates alleviation of cadmium toxicity induced by calcium in rice seedlings

The effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2) on rice seedling growth under cadmium chloride (CdCl2) stress, as well as the possible role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in this process, was studied. The growth of rice seedlings was seriously inhibited by CdCl2, and the inhibition was significantly mitigated by CaCl2. However, hemoglobin (Hb) and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4, 4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) weakened the promotion effect of CaCl2. The results of NO fluorescence localization suggest that growth accelerated by CaCl2 might be associated with elevated NO levels. The content of Cd, protein thiols (PBT), and nonprotein thiols (NPT) in cell walls, cell organelles, and soluble fractions, respectively, of rice seedlings decreased considerably in the presence of CaCl2, whereas the content of pectin, hemicellulose 1 (HC1), and hemicellulose 2 (HC2) increased significantly. Elimination of endogenous NO in Cd+Ca treatment could promote the transportation of Cd2+ to cell organelles and soluble fractions and increase the content of NPT and PBT in leaves. In addition, transportation of Cd2+ to cell organelles and soluble fractions was retarded in roots, the content of NPT increased, and the content of PBT decreased. With elimination of endogenous NO in Cd+Ca treatment, the content of pectin, HC1, and HC2 decreased significantly. Thus, Ca may alleviate Cd toxicity via endogenous NO with variation in the levels of NPT, PBT, and matrix polysaccharides.

Stabilization of thylakoid membranes in isoprene-emitting plants reduces formation of reactive oxygen species

Isoprene is emitted by a significant fraction of the world's vegetation. Isoprene makes leaves more thermotolerant, yet we do not fully understand how. We have recently shown that isoprene stabilizes thylakoid membranes under heat stress. Here we show that heat-stressed, isoprene-emitting transgenic Arabidopsis plants also produce a lower pool of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, and that this was especially due to a lower accumulation of H2O2 in isoprene emitting plants. It remains difficult to disentangle whether in heat stressed plants isoprene also directly reacts with and quenches reactive oxygen species (ROS), or reduces ROS formation by stabilizing thylakoids. We present considerations that make the latter a more likely mechanism, under our experimental circumstances.

Nitric oxide imbalance provokes a nitrosative response in plants under abiotic stress

Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical generated in plant cells, belongs to a family of related molecules designated as reactive nitrogen species (RNS). When an imbalance of RNS takes place for any adverse environmental circumstances, some of these molecules can cause direct or indirect damage at the cellular or molecular level, promoting a phenomenon of nitrosative stress. Thus, this review will emphasize the recent progress in understanding the function of NO and its production under adverse environmental conditions.

Nitric oxide signalling via cytoskeleton in plants

Nitric oxide (NO) in plant cell mediates processes of growth and development starting from seed germination to pollination, as well as biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. However, proper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of NO signalling in plants has just begun to emerge. Accumulated evidence suggests that in eukaryotic cells NO regulates functions of proteins by their post-translational modifications, namely tyrosine nitration and S-nitrosylation. Among the candidates for NO-downstream effectors are cytoskeletal proteins because of their involvement in many processes regulated by NO. This review discusses new insights in plant NO signalling focused mainly on the involvement of cytoskeleton components into NO-cascades. Herein, examples of NO-related post-translational modifications of cytoskeletal proteins, and also indirect NO impact, are discussed. Special attention is paid to plant α-tubulin tyrosine nitration as an emerging topic in plant NO research.

Nitric oxide and ABA in the control of plant function

Abscisic acid (ABA) and nitric oxide (NO) are both extremely important signalling molecules employed by plants to control many aspects of physiology. ABA has been extensively studied in the mechanisms which control stomatal movement as well as in seed dormancy and germination and plant development. The addition of either ABA or NO to plant cells is known to instigate the actions of many signal transduction components. Both may have an influence on the phosphorylation of proteins in cells mediated by effects on protein kinases and phosphatases, as well as recruiting a wide range of other signal transduction molecules to mediate the final effects. Both ABA and NO may also lead to the regulation of gene expression. However, it is becoming more apparent that NO may be acting downstream of ABA, with such action being mediated by reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide in some cases. However not all ABA responses require the action of NO. Here, examples of where ABA and NO have been put together into the same signal transduction pathways are discussed.

Polyamines, polyamine oxidases and nitric oxide in development, abiotic and biotic stresses

Nitric oxide (NO), polyamines (PAs), diamine oxidases (DAO) and polyamine oxidases (PAO) play important roles in wide spectrum of physiological processes such as germination, root development, flowering and senescence and in defence responses against abiotic and biotic stress conditions. This functional overlapping suggests interaction of NO and PA in signalling cascades. Exogenous application of PAs putrescine, spermidine and spermine to Arabidopsis seedlings induced NO production as observed by fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy using the NO-binding fluorophores DAF-2 and DAR-4M. The observed NO release induced by 1 mM spermine treatment in the Arabidopsis seedlings was very rapid without apparent lag phase. These observations pave a new insight into PA-mediated signalling and NO as a potential mediator of PA actions. When comparing the functions of NO and PA in plant development and abiotic and biotic stresses common to both signalling components it can be speculated that NO may be a link between PA-mediated stress responses filing a gap between many known physiological effects of PAs and amelioration of stresses. NO production indicated by PAs could be mediated either by H(2)O(2), one reaction product of oxidation of PAs by DAO and PAO, or by unknown mechanisms involving PAs, DAO and PAO.

cGMP regulates hydrogen peroxide accumulation in calcium-dependent salt resistance pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana roots

3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an important second messenger in plants. In the present study, roles of cGMP in salt resistance in Arabidopsis roots were investigated. Arabidopsis roots were sensitive to 100 mM NaCl treatment, displaying a great increase in electrolyte leakage and Na(+)/K(+) ratio and a decrease in gene expression of the plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPase. However, application of exogenous 8Br-cGMP (an analog of cGMP), H(2)O(2) or CaCl(2) alleviated the NaCl-induced injury by maintaining a lower Na(+)/K(+) ratio and increasing the PM H(+)-ATPase gene expression. In addition, the inhibition of root elongation and seed germination under salt stress was removed by 8Br-cGMP. Further study indicated that 8Br-cGMP-induced higher NADPH levels for PM NADPH oxidase to generate H(2)O(2) by regulating glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity. The effect of 8Br-cGMP and H(2)O(2) on ionic homeostasis was abolished when Ca(2+) was eliminated by glycol-bis-(2-amino ethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA, a Ca(2+) chelator) in Arabidopsis roots under salt stress. Taken together, cGMP could regulate H(2)O(2) accumulation in salt stress, and Ca(2+) was necessary in the cGMP-mediated signaling pathway. H(2)O(2), as the downstream component of cGMP signaling pathway, stimulated PM H(+)-ATPase gene expression. Thus, ion homeostasis was modulated for salt tolerance.

Nitric oxide activates superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase to repress the cell death induced by wounding

Wounding caused by rain, wind, and pathogen may lead plants to onset defense response. Previous studies indicated that mechanical wounding stimulates plants to generate nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). In this study, the functions of NO and H(2)O(2) after wounding in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Tainung 57) was further analyzed. Mechanical wounding damaged cells and resulted in necrosis, but the presence of NO donors or NO scavenger might reduce or enhance the cell death caused by wounding, respectively. The amount of H(2)O(2) induced by wounding was also decreased or increased when plants were incubated with NO donors or NO scavenger, individually. These results indicate that NO may regulate H(2)O(2) generation to affect cell death. NO-induced proteins isolated from two-dimensional electrophoresis were identified to be Copper/Zinc superoxide dismutases (CuZnSODs). The activities of CuZnSODs and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) could be enhanced by NO. In addition, the expression of CuZnSOD and APX was induced by wounding via NO, and their expression was further stimulated by NO through the generation of cGMP. The influx of calcium ions and the activity of NADPH oxidase were also involved in the NO signal transduction pathway inducing APX expression. Collectively, the generation of H(2)O(2) in wounded plants might trigger cell death. Meanwhile, the production of NO induced by wounding stimulated signal transducers including cGMP, calcium ions, and H(2)O(2) to activate CuZnSOD and APX, which further decreased H(2)O(2) level and reduced the cell death caused by wounding.

Ethylene inhibits darkness-induced stomatal closure by scavenging nitric oxide in guard cells of Vicia faba

The plant hormone ethylene regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. Despite the well-known relationship between ethylene and stress signalling, the involvement of ethylene in regulating stomatal movement is not completely explored. Here, the role and association between nitric oxide (NO) reduction and the inhibition of darkness-induced stomatal closure by ethylene was studied. Physiological data are provided that both ethylene-releasing compound 2-chloroethylene phosphonic acid (ethephon, ETH) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor of ethylene, reduced the levels of NO in Vicia faba L. guard cells, and then induced stomatal opening in darkness. In addition, ACC and ETH not only reduced NO levels in guard cells caused by exogenous NO (derived from sodium nitroprusside, SNP) in light, but also abolished NO that had been generated during a dark period and promoted stomatal opening. Interestingly, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) and hemoglobin (Hb), NO scavenger and the potent scavenger of NO/carbon monoxide (CO), respectively, also reduced NO levels by SNP and darkness. However, the above-mentioned effects of ACC and ETH were dissimilar to that of nitric oxide synthase (enzyme commission 1.14.13.39) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-Arg-methyl ester (L-NAME), which could neither reduce NO levels by SNP nor abolish NO that had been generated in the dark. Thus, it is concluded that ethylene reduces the levels of NO in V. faba guard cells via a pattern of NO scavenging, then induces stomatal opening in the dark.

Pepper asparagine synthetase 1 (CaAS1) is required for plant nitrogen assimilation and defense responses to microbial pathogens

Asparagine synthetase is a key enzyme in the production of the nitrogen-rich amino acid asparagine, which is crucial to primary nitrogen metabolism. Despite its importance physiologically, the roles that asparagine synthetase plays during plant defense responses remain unknown. Here, we determined that pepper (Capsicum annuum) asparagine synthetase 1 (CaAS1) is essential for plant defense to microbial pathogens. Infection with Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) induced early and strong CaAS1 expression in pepper leaves and silencing of this gene resulted in enhanced susceptibility to Xcv infection. Transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants that overexpressed CaAS1 exhibited enhanced resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Increased CaAS1 expression influenced early defense responses in diseased leaves, including increased electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide bursts. In plants, increased conversion of aspartate to asparagine appears to be associated with enhanced resistance to bacterial and oomycete pathogens. In CaAS1-silenced pepper and/or CaAS1-overexpressing Arabidopsis, CaAS1-dependent changes in asparagine levels correlated with increased susceptibility or defense responses to microbial pathogens, respectively. Linking transcriptional and targeted metabolite studies, our results suggest that CaAS1 is required for asparagine synthesis and disease resistance in plants.

Nitric oxide enhances aluminum tolerance by affecting cell wall polysaccharides in rice roots

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signal molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants. To study the mechanisms of exogenous NO contribution to alleviate the aluminum (Al) toxicity, roots of rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings pre-treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) were used to investigate the effect of Al in this study. Results indicated that NO alleviated the lipid peroxidation induced by Al and promoted the root elongation, whereas butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), an efficient lipophilic antioxidant, alleviated the lipid peroxidation only. Rice seedling roots pre-treated with SNP followed by Al treatment had lower contents of pectin and hemicellulose, lower Al accumulation in root tips and cell walls, higher degree of methylation of pectin and lower wall Al-binding capacity than the roots with Al treatment only. Therefore, the decreased Al accumulation in the cell walls of rice roots is likely to be the reason for the NO-induced increase of Al tolerance in rice, and it seems that exogenous NO enhanced Al tolerance in rice roots by decreasing the contents of pectin and hemicellulose, increasing the degree of methylation of pectin, and decreasing Al accumulation in root cell walls.

Polyamines modulate nitrate reductase activity in wheat leaves: involvement of nitric oxide

In the present work, the effect of polyamines (PAs) on nitrate reductase (NR) activity was studied in wheat leaves exposed to exogenously added PAs while assessing the nitric oxide (NO) involvement in the regulation of the enzyme activity. A biphasic response was observed along the time of treatment using 0.1 mM of putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) or spermine (Spm). At 3 h, Spd and Spm significantly reduced NR activity by 29 or 35%, respectively, whereas at 6 h, the activity of the enzyme decreased by an average of 25%. At 21 h, Put increased NR activity by 63%, while Spd and Spm elevated the enzyme activity by 114%. NR activity, that was reduced by 0.1 mM Spm at 3 and 6 h, returned almost to control values when c-PTIO (an NO scavenger) was used, confirming that NO was involved in the inhibition of NR activity. Nitric oxide was also mediating the PA-increase of the enzyme activity at longer incubation times, evidenced when the raise in NR activity produced by 0.1 mM Spm at the longest incubation time returned to the value of the control in the presence of cPTIO. Neither the protein expression nor the nitrate content were modified by PAs treatments. The involvement of PAs and NO in the regulation of NR activity is discussed.

Alleviation of copper-induced oxidative damage in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenous gaseous molecule in plants and animals. Recent studies have shown that it is one of the most essential cellular components regulating many aspects of plant growth and development. However, whether CO regulates the green algae adaptive response to heavy metal toxicity is unknown. The present study investigated the role of CO in regulating Cu-induced oxidative stress in eukaryotic algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Cells pretreated with 5 μM CO for 30 min and followed by exposure to 5 μM Cu(II) for 4 days showed attenuated toxicity. The CO-improved growth of algae was correlated with reduced lipid peroxidation and increased chlorophyll accumulation. The beneficial effect of CO was confirmed by histochemical staining with reactive oxygen species. Further, treatment with 5 μM CO increased the activity of catalase with Cu. However, a reduced superoxide dismutase activity was observed in the CO + Cu-treated algae compared to the control (activity of Cu treatment alone). Under the same condition, the activity of ascorbate peroxidase was not significantly changed. These results suggest that CO can play an important role in regulating the response of algae to Cu stress.

Ultraviolet-B-induced flavonoid accumulation in Betula pendula leaves is dependent upon nitrate reductase-mediated nitric oxide signaling

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants. Nitric oxide generation and flavonoid accumulation are two early reactions of plants to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation. However, the source of UV-B-triggered NO generation and the role of NO in UV-B-induced flavonoid accumulation are not fully understood. In order to evaluate the origin of UV-B-triggered NO generation, we examined the responses of nitrate reductase (NR) activity and the expression levels of NIA1 and NIA2 genes in leaves of Betula pendula Roth (silver birch) seedlings to UV-B irradiation. The data show that UV-B irradiation stimulates NR activity and induces up-regulation of NIA1 but does not affect NIA2 expression during UV-B-triggered NO generation. Pretreatment of the leaves with NR inhibitors tungstate (TUN) and glutamine (Gln) abolishes not only UV-B-triggered NR activities but also UV-B-induced NO generation. Furthermore, application of TUN and Gln suppresses UV-B-induced flavonoid production in the leaves and the suppression of NR inhibitors on UV-B-induced flavonoid production can be reversed by NO via its donor sodium nitroprusside. Together, the data indicate that NIA1 in the leaves of silver birch seedlings is sensitive to UV-B and the UV-B-induced up-regulation of NIA1 may lead to enhancement of NR activity. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that NR is involved in UV-B-triggered NO generation and NR-mediated NO generation is essential for UV-B-induced flavonoid accumulation in silver birch leaves.

Atnoa1 mutant Arabidopsis plants induce compensation mechanisms to reduce the negative effects of the mutation

Alterations in temperature adaptation processes and changes in the content of stress-related compounds, polyamines and salicylic acid were evaluated in Atnoa1 (NO-associated 1) Arabidopsis mutant. The F(v)/F(m) chlorophyll-a fluorescence induction parameter and the actual quantum yield were significantly lower in the Atnoa1 mutant than in the wild-type. In the wild-type Col-0, the fastest increase in the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) occurred in plants pre-treated at low temperature (4 °C), while the slowest was in those adapted to 30 °C. The NPQ showed not only a substantially increased level in the light-adapted state, but also more rapid light induction after the dark-adapted state in the Atnoa1 mutant than in the wild-type. The results of freezing tests indicated that both the wild-type and the mutant had better freezing tolerance after cold hardening, since no significant differences were found between the genotypes. The level of putrescine increased substantially, while that of spermine decreased by the end of the cold-hardening (4°C, 4d) period. The quantity of spermidine in Atnoa1 was significantly higher than in Col-0, at both control and cold-hardening temperatures. A similar trend was observed for spermine, but only under control conditions. The mutant plants showed substantially higher salicylic acid (SA) contents for both the free and bound forms. This difference was significant not only in the control, but also in the cold-hardened plants. These results suggest that there is a compensation mechanism in Atnoa1 mutant Arabidopsis plants to reduce the negative effects of the mutation. These adaptation processes include the stimulation of photoprotection and alterations in the SA and polyamine compositions.

Nitric oxide is required for an optimal establishment of the Medicago truncatula-Sinorhizobium meliloti symbiosis

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule that participates in numerous plant signalling pathways. It is involved in plant responses to pathogens and development processes such as seed germination, flowering and stomatal closure. Using a permeable NO-specific fluorescent probe and a bacterial reporter strain expressing the lacZ gene under the control of a NO-responsive promoter, we detected NO production in the first steps, during infection threads growth, of the Medicago truncatula-Sinorhizobium meliloti symbiotic interaction. Nitric oxide was also detected, by confocal microscopy, in nodule primordia. Depletion of NO caused by cPTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide), an NO scavenger, resulted in a significant delay in nodule appearance. The overexpression of a bacterial hmp gene, encoding a flavohaemoglobin able to scavenge NO, under the control of a nodule-specific promoter (pENOD20) in transgenic roots, led to the same phenotype. The NO scavenging resulting from these approaches provoked the downregulation of plant genes involved in nodule development, such as MtCRE1 and MtCCS52A. Furthermore, an Hmp-overexpressing S. meliloti mutant strain was found to be less competitive than the wild type in the nodulation process. Taken together, these results indicate that NO is required for an optimal establishment of the M. truncatula-S. meliloti symbiotic interaction.

Role of nitric oxide in tolerance of plants to abiotic stress

Nitric oxide (NO) has now gained significant place in plant science, mainly due to its properties (free radical, small size, no charge, short-lived, and highly diffusible across biological membranes) and multifunctional roles in plant growth, development, and regulation of remarkable spectrum of plant cellular mechanisms. In the last few years, the role of NO in tolerance of plants to abiotic stress has established much consideration. As it is evident from the present review, recent progress on NO potentiality in tolerance of plants to environmental stresses has been impressive. These investigations suggest that NO, itself, possesses antioxidant properties and might act as a signal in activating ROS-scavenging enzyme activities under abiotic stress. NO plays an important role in resistance to salt, drought, temperature (high and low), UV-B, and heavy metal stress. Rapidly increasing evidences indicate that NO is essentially involve in several physiological processes; however, there has been much disagreement regarding the mechanism(s) by which NO reduces abiotic stress.

Nitric oxide production and its functional link with OIPK in tobacco defense response elicited by chitooligosaccharide

Chitooligosaccharide (COS) or oligochitosan has been shown to induce tobacco defense responses which are connected with nitric oxide (NO) and OIPK (oligochitosan-induced Ser/Thr protein kinase). The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between NO production and OIPK pathway in the defense response of tobacco elicited by COS. NO generation was investigated by epidermal strip bioassay and fluorophore microscope using fluorophore diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA). Tobacco epidermal cells treated with COS resulted in production of NO, which was first present in chloroplast, then in nucleus, finally in the whole cell; this NO production was sensitive to NO scavenger cPTIO and the mammalian NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L: -NAME, suggesting that NOS-like enzyme maybe involved in NO generation in tobacco epidermal cells. However, NOS and nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) inhibitors reduced NO content in tobacco leaves by using NO Assay Kit, suggesting both NOS and NR were involved in NO production in tobacco leaves. Using a pharmacological approach and western blotting, we provide evidence that NO acts upstream of OIPK expression. NO scavenger, NOS inhibitor partly blocked the activation of OIPK and the activities of several defense-related enzymes induced by COS; treatment with NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced the activation of OIPK and enhanced the defense systems. The results suggest that COS is able to induce NO generation, which results in up-regulation the activities of some defense-related enzymes through an OIPK-dependent or independent pathway.

Nitric oxide enhances plant ultraviolet-B protection up-regulating gene expression of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway

The link between ultraviolet (UV)-B, nitric oxide (NO) and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway (PPBP) was studied in maize and Arabidopsis. The transcription factor (TF) ZmP regulates PPBP in maize. A genetic approach using P-rr (ZmP+) and P-ww (ZmP⁻) maize lines demonstrate that: (1) NO protects P-rr leaves but not P-ww from UV-B-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell damage; (2) NO increases flavonoid and anthocyanin content and prevents chlorophyll loss in P-rr but not in P-ww and (3) the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) blocks the UV-B-induced expression of ZmP and their targets CHS and CHI suggesting that NO plays a key role in the UV-B-regulated PPBP. Involvement of endogenous NO was studied in Arabidopsis nitric oxide dioxygenase (NOD) plants that express a NO dioxygenase gene under the control of a dexamethasone (DEX)-inducible promoter. Expression of HY5 and MYB12, TFs involved in PPBP regulation, was induced by UV-B, reduced by DEX in NOD plants and recovered by subsequent NO treatment. C4H regulates synapate esters synthesis and is UV-B-induced in a NO-independent pathway. Data indicate that UV-B perception increases NO concentration, which protects plant against UV-B by two ways: (1) scavenging ROS; and (2) up-regulating the expression of HY5, MYB12 and ZmP, resulting in the PPBP activation.

Phosphatidic acid production in chitosan-elicited tomato cells, via both phospholipase D and phospholipase C/diacylglycerol kinase, requires nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) and the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) are involved in plant defense responses during plant-pathogen interactions. NO has been shown to be involved in the induction of PA production in response to the pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) xylanase in tomato cells. It was shown that NO is critical for PA production induced via phospholipase C (PLC) in concerted action with diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) but not for the xylanase-induced PA via phospholipase D (PLD). In order to study whether this is a general phenomenon during PAMP perception or if it is particular for xylanase, we studied the effect of the PAMP chitosan in tomato cell suspensions. We observed a rapid NO production in tomato cells treated with chitosan. Chitosan induced the formation of PA by activating both PLD and PLC/DGK. The activation of either phospholipase-mediated signaling pathway was inhibited in cells treated with the NO scavenger cPTIO. This indicates that NO is required for PA generation via both the PLD and PLC/DGK pathway during plant defense response in chitosan elicited cells. Responses downstream PA were studied. PLC inhibitors neomycin and U73122 inhibited chitosan-induced ROS production. Differences between xylanase and chitosan-induced phospholipid signaling pathways are discussed.

Seed-specific elevation of non-symbiotic hemoglobin AtHb1: beneficial effects and underlying molecular networks in Arabidopsis thaliana

BACKGROUND

Seed metabolism is dynamically adjusted to oxygen availability. Processes underlying this auto-regulatory mechanism control the metabolic efficiency under changing environmental conditions/stress and thus, are of relevance for biotechnology. Non-symbiotic hemoglobins have been shown to be involved in scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) molecules, which play a key role in oxygen sensing/balancing in plants and animals. Steady state levels of NO are suggested to act as an integrator of energy and carbon metabolism and subsequently, influence energy-demanding growth processes in plants.

RESULTS

We aimed to manipulate oxygen stress perception in Arabidopsis seeds by overexpression of the non-symbiotic hemoglobin AtHb1 under the control of the seed-specific LeB4 promoter. Seeds of transgenic AtHb1 plants did not accumulate NO under transient hypoxic stress treatment, showed higher respiratory activity and energy status compared to the wild type. Global transcript profiling of seeds/siliques from wild type and transgenic plants under transient hypoxic and standard conditions using Affymetrix ATH1 chips revealed a rearrangement of transcriptional networks by AtHb1 overexpression under non-stress conditions, which included the induction of transcripts related to ABA synthesis and signaling, receptor-like kinase- and MAP kinase-mediated signaling pathways, WRKY transcription factors and ROS metabolism. Overexpression of AtHb1 shifted seed metabolism to an energy-saving mode with the most prominent alterations occurring in cell wall metabolism. In combination with metabolite and physiological measurements, these data demonstrate that AtHb1 overexpression improves oxidative stress tolerance compared to the wild type where a strong transcriptional and metabolic reconfiguration was observed in the hypoxic response.

CONCLUSIONS

AtHb1 overexpression mediates a pre-adaptation to hypoxic stress. Under transient stress conditions transgenic seeds were able to keep low levels of endogenous NO and to maintain a high energy status, in contrast to wild type. Higher weight of mature transgenic seeds demonstrated the beneficial effects of seed-specific overexpression of AtHb1.

Cell death induction and nitric oxide biosynthesis in white poplar (Populus alba) suspension cultures exposed to alfalfa saponins

The present work reports on the biological activity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) saponins on white poplar (Populus alba, cultivar 'Villafranca') cell suspension cultures. The extracts from alfalfa roots, aerial parts and seeds were characterized for their saponin content by means of thin layer chromatography (TLC) and electrospray ionisation coupled to mass spectrometry. The quantitative saponin composition from the different plant extracts was determined considering the aglycone moieties and determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. Only soyasapogenin I was detected in the seed extract while several other saponins were found in the root and leaf extracts. Actively proliferating white poplar cell cultures were challenged with the different saponin extracts. Only alfalfa root saponins, at 50 µg ml⁻¹, induced significant cell death rates (75.00 ± 4.90%). Different cell subpopulations with peculiar cell death morphologies were observed and the programmed cell death (PCD)/necrosis ratio was reduced at increasing saponin concentrations. Enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) production was observed in white poplar cells treated with root saponins (RSs) at 50 µg ml⁻¹ and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the culture medium was also demonstrated. Saponin-induced NO production was sensitive to sodium azide and N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, two specific inhibitors of distinct pathways for NO biosynthesis in plant cells.

Role of nitric oxide in hydrogen peroxide-dependent induction of abiotic stress tolerance by brassinosteroids in cucumber

Brassinosteroids (BRs) can induce plant tolerance to a variety of abiotic stresses by triggering the generation of H(2) O(2) as a signalling molecule in cucumber leaves. Whether nitric oxide (NO) also plays a signalling role and, if so, what is the relationship between NO and H(2) O(2) in BR-induced stress tolerance are unknown. Involvement of NO and H(2) O(2) in BR-induced tolerance was examined. NO accumulation and defence related gene transcripts were monitored by confocal laser-scanning microscopy and qRT-PCR, respectively. NO content was elevated after treatment with 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) and reduced with the inhibition of BR biosynthesis. EBR-induced NO production was blocked by pre-treatment with inhibitor of NADPH oxidase and a reactive oxygen species scavenger. On the other hand, EBR-induced H(2) O(2) generation was not sensitive to NO scavenger or inhibitor of NO production. Scavenging or inhibition of NO production inhibited EBR-induced tolerance to photo-oxidative and cold stress and partly blocked EBR-induced expression and activities of several antioxidant enzymes. Pre-treatment of the exogenous NO precursor, on the other hand, led to both increased stress tolerance and increased expression of antioxidant enzymes. These results strongly suggest that NO plays an important role in H(2) O(2) -dependent induction of plant stress tolerance by BR.

Oxidative and nitrosative signaling in plants: two branches in the same tree?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) constitute key features underpinning the dynamic nature of cell signaling systems in plants. Despite their importance in many aspects of cell biology, our understanding of oxidative and especially of nitrosative signaling and their regulation remains poorly understood. Early reports have established that ROS and RNS coordinately regulate plant defense responses to biotic stress. In addition, evidence has accumulated demonstrating that there is a strong cross-talk between oxidative and nitrosative signaling upon abiotic stress conditions. The goal of this mini-review is to provide latest findings showing how both ROS and RNS comprise a coordinated oxidative and nitrosative signaling network that modulates cellular responses in response to environmental stimuli.

Polyamines: natural and engineered abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants

Polyamines (PAs) are ubiquitous biogenic amines that have been implicated in diverse cellular functions in widely distributed organisms. In plants, mutant and transgenic plants with altered activity pointed to their involvement with different abiotic and biotic stresses. Furthermore, microarray, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches have elucidated key functions of different PAs in signaling networks in plants subjected to abiotic and biotic stresses, however the exact molecular mechanism remains enigmatic. Here, we argue that PAs should not be taken only as a protective molecule but rather like a double-faced molecule that likely serves as a major area for further research efforts. This review summarizes recent advances in plant polyamine research ranging from transgenic and mutant characterization to potential mechanisms of action during environmental stresses and diseases.

Nitric oxide supplementation alleviates ammonium toxicity in the submerged macrophyte Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle

The likely protective effects of nitric oxide (NO) against ammonium toxicity were investigated in the submerged macrophyte Hydrilla verticillata. The plants were subjected to ammonium stress (3mM ammonium chloride) in the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 μM), an NO donor. Treatment with SNP significantly increased the NO content and partially reversed the ammonium-induced negative effects, including membrane damage and the decrease in levels of chlorophyll, malondialdehyde, glutathione and ascorbic acid. Further, SNP application increased the catalytic activities of ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase, but decreased that of NADH-oxidase. Histochemical staining showed that SNP application caused a significant decrease in the levels of superoxides and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, application of other breakdown products of SNP (10 μM sodium ferrocyanide, 10 μM sodium nitrite and 10 μM sodium nitrate) failed to show any protective effect. The results suggest that the increased intracellular NO, resulting from SNP application, improved the antioxidant capacity of H. verticillata plants in coping with ammonium-induced oxidative stress.

Nitric oxide mediates brassinosteroid-induced ABA biosynthesis involved in oxidative stress tolerance in maize leaves

The role of ABA in brassinosteroid (BR)-induced stress tolerance and the relationship between BR, nitric oxide (NO) and ABA under water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) were investigated in leaves of maize (Zea mays) plants. Water stress led to oxidative damage. Pre-treatment with the BR biosynthetic inhibitor brassinazole (Brz) aggravated the oxidative damage induced by PEG treatment, which was alleviated by the application of BR or ABA. Pre-treatment with the ABA biosynthetic inhibitor fluridone also aggravated the oxidative damage induced by PEG treatment; however, this was barely alleviated by the application of BR. BR treatment increased the content of ABA and up-regulated the expression of the ABA biosynthetic gene vp14 in maize leaves, which was blocked by pre-treatments with the NO scavenger cPTIO (2,4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME (N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Moreover, BR treatment induced increases in the generation of NO in mesophyll cells of maize leaves, and treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) up-regulated the content of ABA and the expression of vp14 in maize leaves. Our results suggest that BR-induced NO production and NO-activated ABA biosynthesis are important mechanisms for BR-enhanced water stress tolerance in leaves of maize plants.

Nitric oxide synthase activity is required for development of functional nodules in soybean

The effects of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine) on soybean growth parameters and nodule functioning were investigated, along with soybean nodule cell viability and cysteine endopeptidase activity. N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine reduced soybean growth parameters, inhibited nodule nitrogenase activity, and caused a decrease in nodule cell viability. The negative effects of N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine were reversed by the nitric oxide donor 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bis-ethanimine. Cysteine endopeptidase activity was higher in plants treated with N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine than untreated plants (controls), but decreased to levels similar to the controls when plants were exposed to a combination of N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine and 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bis-ethanimine. These results suggest that nitric oxide, resulting from nitric oxide synthase activity, is required for development of functional soybean nodules.

Long-Term Storage-Dependent Changes in Seed Physiological Aspects of Hyoscyamus Niger from a Cold Desert Region of Trans-Himalaya

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.), an economically important medicinal plant, has an endangered status in Himachal Pradesh (India) that needs appropriate conservation interventions. We have examined seed physiological aspects of H. niger from Lahaul (Himachal Pradesh, India), a cold desert region. The freshly harvested seeds exhibited complete dormancy. Gibberellic acid (GA3) and chilling treatment strongly promoted seed germination which was accompanied by increased α-amylase activity. KNO3, NaN3 and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, also promoted germination. During storage, the seeds retained high viability even after a storage of 72 months under ambient conditions. However, they remained dormant during the entire storage period. The responsiveness of seeds to GA3 and chilling treatment gradually declined with progression of storage period. Concomitantly, the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction ability of seeds was lowered. The seed responsiveness to KNO3, NaN3 and SNP during storage increased until one year and decreased thereafter. With the progression of the storage period, seeds exhibited elevated lipid peroxidation and reduced catalase activity implying a role of oxidative stress in observed changes. The involvement of phenolics in seed dormancy of H. niger was not evident. The findings are of significance for conservation and cultivation of H. niger through seeds in the arid mountain region.

Nitric oxide is involved in alkamide-induced lateral root development in Arabidopsis

Alkamides are small bioactive lipid signals with a wide distribution in plants. In this report, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the alterations induced by N-isobutyl decanamide on the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) root system architecture (RSA) was investigated. We first compared the effects of N-isobutyl decanamide and NO donors sodium nitropruside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) on root morphogenetic processes. Both N-isobutyl decanamide and NO donors modulated RSA in a similar way and in a dose-dependent manner, inhibiting primary root growth and promoting lateral root primordia (LRP) formation. RSA alterations induced by N-isobutyl decanamide correlated with NO accumulation in the primary root tip and in developing lateral roots. Morphogenetic effects of N-isobutyl decanamide decreased when NO scavengers were supplied to alkamide-treated seedlings. N-Isobutyl decanamide-regulated root architectural changes were also investigated in mutants defective in NO biosynthesis, nia1 nia2, and NO signalling, Atnoa1, and in the alkamide-resistant mutant drr1. The nia1 nia2 and Atnoa1 mutants were indistinguishable in primary root growth inhibition by the alkamide when compared with wild-type (WT) seedlings, but showed reduced lateral root responses. The drr1 mutant was less sensitive in both primary root growth inhibition and LRP induction by NO donors than WT seedlings. Detailed DR5:uidA and BA3:uidA marker analysis showed that N-isobutyl decanamide and its interacting signals jasmonic acid and NO act downstream or independently of auxin-responsive gene expression to promote LRP formation. Our results provide compelling evidence that NO is an intermediate in alkamide signaling mediating RSA adjustment in Arabidopsis.

Flooding induced emissions of volatile signalling compounds in three tree species with differing waterlogging tolerance

To gain insight into variations in waterlogging responsiveness, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, emissions of isoprene and marker compounds of anoxic metabolism ethanol and acetaldehyde, and stress marker compounds nitric oxide (NO), volatile products of lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway and methanol were studied in seedlings of temperate deciduous tree species Alnus glutinosa, Populus tremula and Quercus rubra (from highest to lowest waterlogging tolerance) throughout sustained root zone waterlogging of up to three weeks. In all species, waterlogging initially resulted in reductions in net assimilation and stomatal conductance and enhanced emissions of ethanol, acetaldehyde, NO, LOX products and methanol, followed by full or partial recovery depending on process and species. Strong negative correlations between g(s) and internal NO concentration and NO flux, valid within and across species, were observed throughout the experiment. Isoprene emission capacity was not related to waterlogging tolerance. Less waterlogging tolerant species had greater reduction and smaller acclimation capacity in foliage physiological potentials, and larger emission bursts of volatile stress marker compounds. These data collectively provide encouraging evidence that emissions of volatile organics and NO can be used as quantitative measures of stress tolerance and acclimation kinetics in temperate trees.

Nitric oxide is involved in phosphorus deficiency-induced cluster-root development and citrate exudation in white lupin

*White lupin (Lupinus albus) forms specialized cluster roots characterized by exudation of organic anions under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Here, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in P deficiency-induced cluster-root formation and citrate exudation was evaluated. *White lupin plants were treated with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and scavenger or inhibitor of NO synthase under conditions of P deficiency (0 muM) or P sufficiency (50 muM). *Phosphorus deficiency enhanced NO production in primary and lateral root tips, with a greater increase in cluster roots than in noncluster roots. NO concentrations decreased with cluster root development from the pre-emergent stage, through the juvenile stage, to the mature stage. The P deficiency-induced increase in NO production was inhibited by antagonists of NO synthase and xanthine oxidoreductase, suggesting the involvement of these enzymes in NO production. SNP markedly increased the number of cluster roots. Citrate exudation from different root segments in P-deficient roots was positively correlated with endogenous root NO concentrations. *These findings demonstrate differential patterns of NO production in white lupin, depending on root zone, developmental stage and P nutritional status. NO appears to play a regulatory role in the formation of cluster roots and citrate exudation in white lupin under conditions of P deficiency.

Hydrogen peroxide-mediated activation of MAP kinase 6 modulates nitric oxide biosynthesis and signal transduction in Arabidopsis

Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive molecule that functions in numerous physiological and developmental processes in plants, including lateral root development. In this study, we used biochemical and genetic approaches to analyze the function of Arabidopsis thaliana mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MPK6) in the regulation of NO synthesis in response to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) during lateral root development. In both mpk6 mutants studied, H₂O₂-induced NO synthesis and nitrate reductase (NR) activity were decreased dramatically. Furthermore, one NR isoform, NIA2, was required for the MPK6-mediated production of NO induced by H₂O₂. Notably, NIA2 interacted physically with MPK6 in vitro and in vivo and also served as a substrate of MPK6. Phosphorylation of NIA2 by MPK6 led to an increase in NR activity, and Ser-627 was identified as the putative phosphorylation site on NIA2. Phenotypical analysis revealed that mpk6-2 and mpk6-3 seedlings produce more and longer lateral roots than wild-type plants did after application of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside or H₂O₂. These data support strongly a function of MPK6 in modulating NO production and signal transduction in response to H₂O₂ during Arabidopsis root development.

The cost and risk of using sodium nitroprusside as a NO donor in chlorophyll fluorescence experiments

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is a widely used nitric oxide (NO) donor chemical, although it has been reported to release cyanide as well as NO during its photolysis. The aim of this work was to examine this potential side effect of SNP. Chlorophyll fluorescence experiments with pea leaves showed that SNP modifies photosynthetic electron transport. The SNP-induced changes were only partially restored in the presence of a NO-specific scavenger. Moreover, a stoichiometric KCN treatment mimicked the outcome caused by the joint application of the NO donor and NO scavenger. These results confirm the cyanide release of SNP and show that both of its photolytic products reduce the photochemical activity of photosystem II in vivo.

The role of vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE) from Nicotiana benthamiana in the elicitor-triggered hypersensitive response and stomatal closure

Elicitors/pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) trigger the plant immune system, leading to rapid programmed cell death (hypersensitive response, HR) and stomatal closure. Previous reports have shown that the vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE), a cysteine proteinase responsible for the maturation of vacuolar proteins, has caspase-1-like activity and mediates TMV- and mycotoxin-induced cell death. The role of VPE from Nicotiana benthamiana in the response to three elicitors: bacterial harpin, fungal Nep1, and oomycete boehmerin, is described here. Single-silenced (NbVPE1a or NbVPE1b) and dual-silenced (NbVPE1a/1b) N. benthamiana plants were produced by virus-induced gene silencing. Although NbVPE silencing does not affect H(2)O(2) accumulation triggered by boehmerin, harpin, or Nep1, the HR is absent in NbVPE1a- and NbVPE1a/1b-silenced plants treated with harpin alone. However, NbVPE-silenced plants develop a normal HR after boehmerin and Nep1 treatment. These results suggest that harpin-triggered HR is VPE-dependent. Surprisingly, all gene-silenced plants show significantly impaired elicitor-induced stomatal closure and elicitor-promoted nitric oxide (NO) production in guard cells. Dual-silenced plants show increased elicitor-triggered AOS production in guard cells. The accumulation of transcripts associated with defence and cell redox is modified by VPE silencing in elicitor signalling. Overall, these results indicate that VPE from N. benthamiana functions not only in elicitor-induced HR, but also in elicitor-induced stomatal closure, suggesting that VPE may be involved in elicitor-triggered immunity.

Diapause termination and development of encysted Artemia embryos: roles for nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide

Encysted embryos (cysts) of the brine shrimp Artemia undergo diapause, a state of profound dormancy and enhanced stress tolerance. Upon exposure to the appropriate physical stimulus diapause terminates and embryos resume development. The regulation of diapause termination and post-diapause development is poorly understood at the molecular level, prompting this study on the capacity of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) to control these processes. Exposure to H(2)O(2) and NO, the latter generated by the use of three NO generators, promoted cyst development, emergence and hatching, effects nullified by catalase and the NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO). The maximal effect of NO and H(2)O(2) on cyst development was achieved by 4 h of exposure to either chemical. NO was effective at a lower concentration than H(2)O(2) but more cysts developed in response to H(2)O(2). Promotion of development varied with incubation conditions, indicating for the first time a population of Artemia cysts potentially arrested in post-diapause and whose development was activated by either H(2)O(2) or NO. A second cyst sub-population, refractory to hatching after prolonged incubation, was considered to be in diapause, a condition broken by H(2)O(2) but not NO. These observations provide clues to the molecular mechanisms of diapause termination and development in Artemia, while enhancing the organism's value in aquaculture by affording a greater understanding of its growth and physiology.

Physiological and biochemical changes in plants under waterlogging

Waterlogging usually results from overuse and/or poor management of irrigation water and is a serious constraint with damaging effects. The rapidly depleting oxygen from submerged root zone is sensed and plant adjusts expressing anaerobic proteins. Plant cells shift their metabolism towards low energy yielding anaerobic fermentation pathways in the absence of oxygen. Structural modifications are also induced as aerenchyma formation and adventitious rootings, etc. Studies at molecular and biochemical levels to facilitate early perception and subsequent responses have also been worked out to produce resistant transgenic plants. This review explores the sequential changes of plant responses at different levels regarding their defense strategies and efforts made to enhance them, tailoring crucial regulators so that they can withstand waterlogging stress.

Protective effect of nitric oxide on light-induced oxidative damage in leaves of tall fescue

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule involved in many physiological processes. In this study, the effect of NO on oxidative damage caused by high levels of light was investigated in leaves of two varieties of tall fescue (Arid3 and Houndog5). Leaves of Houndog5 were more susceptible to high-light stress than Arid3 leaves. Pretreatment of these leaves with NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), prior to exposure to high-light stress, resulted in reduced light-induced electrolyte leakage and reduced contents of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and superoxide radicals (O(2)(*-)). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) increased in both varieties in the presence of SNP under high-light stress, but lipoxygenase (LOX) activity was inhibited. These responses could be reversed by pretreatment with the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO). A pronounced increase in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and NO release was found in light-tolerant Arid3 plants after exposure to high-light stress, while only a small increase was observed in more sensitive Houndog5. Pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine (LNNA) resulted in increased oxidative damage under high-light stress, with more injuries occurring in Arid3 than Houndog5. These results suggest that high-light stress induced increased NOS activity leading to elevated NO. This NO might act as a signaling molecule triggering enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, further protecting against injuries caused by high intensity light. This protective mechanism was found to more efficiently acclimate light-tolerant Arid3 than light-sensitive Houndog5.