The Genetic Basis of Singlet Oxygen-Induced Stress Responses of Arabidopsis thaliana

EXECUTER1- and EXECUTER2-dependent transfer of stress-related signals from the plastid to the nucleus of Arabidopsis thaliana

Shortly after the release of singlet oxygen ((1)O2), drastic changes in nuclear gene expression occur in the conditional flu mutant of Arabidopsis that reveal a rapid transfer of signals from the plastid to the nucleus. In contrast to retrograde control of nuclear gene expression by plastid signals described earlier, the primary effect of (1)O2 generation in the flu mutant is not the control of chloroplast biogenesis but the activation of a broad range of signaling pathways known to be involved in biotic and abiotic stress responses. This activity of a plastid-derived signal suggests a new function of the chloroplast, namely that of a sensor of environmental changes that activates a broad range of stress responses. Inactivation of the plastid protein EXECUTER1 attenuates the extent of (1)O2-induced up-regulation of nuclear gene expression, but it does not fully eliminate these changes. A second related nuclear-encoded protein, dubbed EXECUTER2, has been identified that is also implicated with the signaling of (1)O2-dependent nuclear gene expression changes. Like EXECUTER1, EXECUTER2 is confined to the plastid. Inactivation of both EXECUTER proteins in the ex1/ex2/flu triple mutant is sufficient to suppress the up-regulation of almost all (1)O2-responsive genes. Retrograde control of (1)O2-responsive genes requires the concerted action of both EXECUTER proteins within the plastid compartment.

Impairment of the photosynthetic apparatus by oxidative stress induced by photosensitization reaction of protoporphyrin IX

Treatment with the herbicide acifluorfen-sodium (AF-Na), an inhibitor of protoporphyrinogen oxidase, caused an accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (Proto IX) , light-induced necrotic spots on the cucumber cotyledon within 12-24 h, and photobleaching after 48-72 h of light exposure. Proto IX-sensitized and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2))-mediated oxidative stress caused by AF-Na treatment impaired photosystem I (PSI), photosystem II (PSII) and whole chain electron transport reactions. As compared to controls, the F(v)/F(m) (variable to maximal chlorophyll a fluorescence) ratio of treated samples was reduced. The PSII electron donor NH(2)OH failed to restore the F(v)/F(m) ratio suggesting that the reduction of F(v)/F(m) reflects the loss of reaction center functions. This explanation is further supported by the practically near-similar loss of PSI and PSII activities. As revealed from the light saturation curve (rate of oxygen evolution as a function of light intensity), the reduction of PSII activity was both due to the reduction in the quantum yield at limiting light intensities and impairment of light-saturated electron transport. In treated cotyledons both the Q (due to recombination of Q(A)(-) with S(2)) and B (due to recombination of Q(B)(-) with S(2)/S(3)) band of thermoluminescence decreased by 50% suggesting a loss of active PSII reaction centers. In both the control and treated samples, the thermoluminescence yield of B band exhibited a periodicity of 4 suggesting normal functioning of the S states in centers that were still active. The low temperature (77 K) fluorescence emission spectra revealed that the F(695) band (that originates in CP-47) increased probably due to reduced energy transfer from the CP47 to the reaction center. These demonstrated an overall damage to the PSI and PSII reaction centers by (1)O(2) produced in response to photosensitization reaction of protoporphyrin IX in AF-Na-treated cucumber seedlings.

A reporter system for the individual detection of hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen: its use for the assay of reactive oxygen species produced in vivo

A reporter system for the assay of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was developed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a plant model organism well suited for the application of inhibitors and generators of various types of ROS. This system employs various HSP70A promoter segments fused to a Renilla reniformis luciferase gene as a reporter. Transformants with the complete HSP70A promoter were inducible by both hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen. Constructs that lacked upstream heat-shock elements (HSEs) were inducible by hydrogen peroxide, indicating that this induction does not require such HSEs. Rather, downstream elements located between positions -81 to -149 with respect to the translation start site appear to be involved. In contrast, upstream sequences are essential for the response to singlet oxygen. Thus, activation by singlet oxygen appears to require promoter elements that are different from those used by hydrogen peroxide. ROS generated endogenously by treatment of the alga with metronidazole, protoporphyrin IX, dinoterb or high light intensities were detected by this reporter system, and distinguished as production of hydrogen peroxide (metronidazole) and singlet oxygen (protoporphyrin IX, dinoterb, high light). This system thus makes it possible to test whether, under varying environmental conditions including the application of abiotic stress, hydrogen peroxide or singlet oxygen or both are produced.

Acclimation to singlet oxygen stress in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

In an aerobic environment, responding to oxidative cues is critical for physiological adaptation (acclimation) to changing environmental conditions. The unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was tested for the ability to acclimate to specific forms of oxidative stress. Acclimation was defined as the ability of a sublethal pretreatment with a reactive oxygen species to activate defense responses that subsequently enhance survival of that stress. C. reinhardtii exhibited a strong acclimation response to rose bengal, a photosensitizing dye that produces singlet oxygen. This acclimation was dependent upon photosensitization and occurred only when pretreatment was administered in the light. Shifting cells from low light to high light also enhanced resistance to singlet oxygen, suggesting an overlap in high-light and singlet oxygen response pathways. Microarray analysis of RNA levels indicated that a relatively small number of genes respond to sublethal levels of singlet oxygen. Constitutive overexpression of either of two such genes, a glutathione peroxidase gene and a glutathione S-transferase gene, was sufficient to enhance singlet oxygen resistance. Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit well-defined responses to reactive oxygen but did not acclimate to singlet oxygen, possibly reflecting the relative importance of singlet oxygen stress for photosynthetic organisms.

A plant porphyria related to defects in plastid import of protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase A

The plastid envelope of higher plant chloroplasts is a focal point of plant metabolism. It is involved in numerous pathways, including tetrapyrrole biosynthesis and protein translocation. Chloroplasts need to import a large number of proteins from the cytosol because most are encoded in the nucleus. Here we report that a loss-of-function mutation in the outer plastid envelope 16-kDa protein (oep16) gene causes a conditional seedling lethal phenotype related to defects in import and assembly of NADPH:protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) oxidoreductase A. In the isolated knockout mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, excess Pchlide accumulated in the dark operated as photosensitizer and provoked cell death during greening. Our results highlight the essential role of the substrate-dependent plastid import pathway of precursor Pchlide oxidoreductase A for seedling survival and the avoidance of developmentally programmed porphyria in higher plants.

In vivo participation of red chlorophyll catabolite reductase in chlorophyll breakdown

A central reaction of chlorophyll breakdown, porphyrin ring opening of pheophorbide a to the primary fluorescent chlorophyll catabolite (pFCC), requires pheophorbide a oxygenase (PAO) and red chlorophyll catabolite reductase (RCCR), with red chlorophyll catabolite (RCC) as a presumably PAO-bound intermediate. In subsequent steps, pFCC is converted to different fluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (FCCs) and nonfluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (NCCs). Here, we show that RCCR-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana accumulates RCC and three RCC-like pigments during senescence, as well as FCCs and NCCs. We also show that the stereospecificity of Arabidopsis RCCR is defined by a small protein domain and can be reversed by a single Phe-to-Val exchange. Exploiting this feature, we prove the in vivo participation of RCCR in chlorophyll breakdown. After complementation of RCCR mutants with RCCRs exhibiting alternative specificities, patterns of chlorophyll catabolites followed the specificity of complementing RCCRs. Light-dependent leaf cell death observed in different RCCR-deficient lines strictly correlated with the accumulation of RCCs and the release of singlet oxygen, and PAO induction preceded lesion formation. These findings suggest that RCCR absence causes leaf cell death as a result of the accumulation of photodynamic RCC. We conclude that RCCR (together with PAO) is required for the detoxification of chlorophyll catabolites and discuss the biochemical role(s) for this enzyme.

The metabolic response of heterotrophic Arabidopsis cells to oxidative stress

To cope with oxidative stress, the metabolic network of plant cells must be reconfigured either to bypass damaged enzymes or to support adaptive responses. To characterize the dynamics of metabolic change during oxidative stress, heterotrophic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cells were treated with menadione and changes in metabolite abundance and (13)C-labeling kinetics were quantified in a time series of samples taken over a 6 h period. Oxidative stress had a profound effect on the central metabolic pathways with extensive metabolic inhibition radiating from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and including large sectors of amino acid metabolism. Sequential accumulation of metabolites in specific pathways indicated a subsequent backing up of glycolysis and a diversion of carbon into the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Microarray analysis revealed a coordinated transcriptomic response that represents an emergency coping strategy allowing the cell to survive the metabolic hiatus. Rather than attempt to replace inhibited enzymes, transcripts encoding these enzymes are in fact down-regulated while an antioxidant defense response is mounted. In addition, a major switch from anabolic to catabolic metabolism is signaled. Metabolism is also reconfigured to bypass damaged steps (e.g. induction of an external NADH dehydrogenase of the mitochondrial respiratory chain). The overall metabolic response of Arabidopsis cells to oxidative stress is remarkably similar to the superoxide and hydrogen peroxide stimulons of bacteria and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), suggesting that the stress regulatory and signaling pathways of plants and microbes may share common elements.

Oxidative modifications to cellular components in plants

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced in many places in living cells and at an increased rate during biotic or abiotic stress. ROS and RNS participate in signal transduction, but also modify cellular components and cause damage. We first look at the most common ROS and their properties. We then consider the ways in which the cell can regulate their production and removal. We critically assess current knowledge about modifications of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), DNA, carbohydrates, and proteins and illustrate this knowledge with case stories wherever possible. Some oxidative breakdown products, e.g., from PUFA, can cause secondary damage. Other oxidation products are secondary signaling molecules. We consider the fate of the modified components, the energetic costs to the cell of replacing such components, as well as strategies to minimize transfer of oxidatively damaged components to the next generation.

Histochemical and genetic analysis of host and non-host interactions of Arabidopsis with three Botrytis species: an important role for cell death control

SUMMARY Susceptibility was evaluated of host and non-host plants to three pathogenic Botrytis species: the generalist B. cinerea and the specialists B. elliptica (lily) and B. tulipae (tulip). B. tulipae was, unexpectedly, able to infect plant species other than tulip, and to a similar extent as B. cinerea. To study host and non-host interactions in more detail, the three Botrytis species were inoculated on Arabidopsis wild-types and 23 mutant genotypes. Disease development was monitored macroscopically by quantifying the lesion area and microscopically by bright-field and fluorescence microscopy following histochemical staining. B. cinerea and B. tulipae were very similar in their ability to infect the tested Arabidopsis genotypes, whereas B. elliptica caused disease only on a few Arabidopsis mutant genotypes. Arabidopsis mutants with a delayed or reduced cell death response were generally more resistant to Botrytis infection, whereas mutants in which cell death was accelerated were more susceptible. Differences in susceptibility between genotypes were generally gradual. Only the camalexin-deficient mutant pad3 was fully susceptible to all three Botrytis species. Cellular changes were monitored during compatible and incompatible interactions. The formation of papillae, the presence of lysosome-like vesicles and the intracellular accumulation of H(2)O(2) and nitric oxide were visualized in the infection zones using fluorescent probes. Based on histology and responses of Arabidopsis mutants, a model is proposed in which resistance against Botrytis, besides the production of camalexin, depends on the balance between cell death and survival.

Tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in higher plants

Tetrapyrroles play vital roles in various biological processes, including photosynthesis and respiration. Higher plants contain four classes of tetrapyrroles, namely, chlorophyll, heme, siroheme, and phytochromobilin. All of the tetrapyrroles are derived from a common biosynthetic pathway. Here we review recent progress in the research of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis from a cellular biological view. The progress consists of biochemical, structural, and genetic analyses, which contribute to our understanding of how the flow and the synthesis of tetrapyrrole molecules are regulated and how the potentially toxic intermediates of tetrapyrrole synthesis are maintained at low levels. We also describe interactions of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis and other cellular processes including the stay-green events, the cell-death program, and the plastid-to-nucleus signal transduction. Finally, we present several reports on attempts for agricultural and horticultural applications in which the tetrapyrrole biosynthesis pathway was genetically modified.

Cross-talk between singlet oxygen- and hydrogen peroxide-dependent signaling of stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana

Upon a dark-to-light shift, the conditional fluorescent (flu) mutant of Arabidopsis releases singlet oxygen (1O2) within the plastid compartment. Distinct sets of nuclear genes are activated that are different from those induced by superoxide (O2*-)) and/or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), suggesting that different types of reactive oxygen species activate distinct signaling pathways. It is not known whether the pathways operate separately or interact with each other. We have addressed this problem by modulating noninvasively the level of H2O2 in plastids by means of a transgenic line that overexpresses the thylakoid-bound ascorbate peroxidase (tAPX). The overexpression of the H2O2-specific scavenger reduced strongly the activation of nuclear genes in plants treated with the herbicide paraquat that in the light leads to the enhanced generation of O2*- and H2O2. In the flu mutant overexpressing tAPX, the intensity of 1O2-mediated cell death and growth inhibition was increased when compared with the flu parental line. Also, the expression of most of the nuclear genes that were rapidly activated after the release of 1O2 was significantly higher in flu plants overexpressing tAPX, whereas in wild-type plants, overexpression of tAPX did not lead to visible stress responses and had only a very minor impact on nuclear gene expression. The results suggest that H2O2 antagonizes the 1O2-mediated signaling of stress responses as seen in the flu mutant. This cross-talk between H2O2- and 1O2-dependent signaling pathways might contribute to the overall stability and robustness of wild-type plants exposed to adverse environmental stress conditions.

Reactive oxygen species as signals that modulate plant stress responses and programmed cell death

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known as toxic metabolic products in plants and other aerobic organisms. An elaborate and highly redundant plant ROS network, composed of antioxidant enzymes, antioxidants and ROS-producing enzymes, is responsible for maintaining ROS levels under tight control. This allows ROS to serve as signaling molecules that coordinate an astonishing range of diverse plant processes. The specificity of the biological response to ROS depends on the chemical identity of ROS, intensity of the signal, sites of production, plant developmental stage, previous stresses encountered and interactions with other signaling molecules such as nitric oxide, lipid messengers and plant hormones. Although many components of the ROS signaling network have recently been identified, the challenge remains to understand how ROS-derived signals are integrated to eventually regulate such biological processes as plant growth, development, stress adaptation and programmed cell death.

Reduced activity of plastid protoporphyrinogen oxidase causes attenuated photodynamic damage during high-light compared to low-light exposure

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.4, PPOX) is the last enzyme in the branched tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway, before its substrate protoporphyrin is directed to the Mg and Fe branches for chlorophyll and haem biosynthesis, respectively. The enzyme exists in many plants in two similar isoforms, which are either exclusively located in plastids (PPOX I) or in mitochondria and plastids (PPOX II). Antisense RNA expression inhibited the formation of PPOX I in transgenic tobacco plants, which showed reduced growth rate and necrotic leaf damage. The cytotoxic effect is attributed to accumulation of photodynamically acting protoporphyrin. The expression levels of PPOX I mRNA and protein and the cellular enzyme activities were reduced to similar extents in transgenic plants grown under low- or high-light conditions (70 and 530 mumol photons m(-2) sec(-1)). More necrotic leaf lesions were surprisingly generated under low- than under high-light exposure. Several reasons were explored to explain this paradox and the intriguing necrotic phenotype of PPOX-deficient plants under both light intensity growth conditions. The same reduction of PPOX expression and activity under both light conditions led to similar initial protoporphyrin, but to faster decrease in protoporphyrin content during high light. It is likely that a light intensity-dependent degradation of reduced and oxidized porphyrins prevents severe photodynamic leaf damage. Moreover, under high-light conditions, elevated contents of reduced and total low-molecular-weight antioxidants contribute to the protection against photosensitizing porphyrins. These reducing conditions stabilize protoporphyrinogen in plastids and allow their redirection into the metabolic pathway.

Cryptochrome-1-dependent execution of programmed cell death induced by singlet oxygen in Arabidopsis thaliana

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays an important role during the life cycle of higher organisms. Although several regulatory mechanisms governing PCD are thought to be conserved in animals and plants, light-dependent cell death represents a form of PCD that is unique to plants. The light requirement of PCD has often been associated with the production of reactive oxygen species during photosynthesis. In support of this hypothesis, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide have been shown to be involved in triggering a PCD response. In the present work, we have used the conditional flu mutant of Arabidopsis to analyze the impact of another reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen, on cell death. Unexpectedly, the light-dependent release of singlet oxygen alone is not sufficient to induce PCD of flu seedlings but has to act together with a second concurrent blue light reaction. This blue-light-specific trigger of PCD could not be attributed to a photosynthetic reaction or redox change within the chloroplast but to the activation of the blue light/UVA-specific photoreceptor cryptochrome. The singlet oxygen-mediated and cryptochrome-dependent cell death response differs in several ways from PCD triggered by hydrogen peroxide/superoxide.

Identification of a plastid response element that acts as an enhancer within the Chlamydomonas HSP70A promoter

Chloroplast-derived signals control a subset of nuclear genes in higher plants and eukaryotic algae. Among the types of signals identified are intermediates of chlorophyll biosynthesis such as Mg-protoporphyrin IX (MgProto). In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, it was suggested that this tetrapyrrole mediates the light induction of chaperone gene HSP70A. Here we have analyzed cis elements involved in the regulation of HSP70A by MgProto and light. We identified two promoters and between their transcription start sites two regulatory regions that each may confer inducibility by MgProto and light to both HSP70A promoters. These regulatory regions, when cloned in front of basal non-light inducible heterologous promoters, conferred inducibility by MgProto and light. The orientation and distance independent function of these cis-regulatory sequences qualifies them as enhancers that mediate the response of nuclear genes to a chloroplast signal. Mutational analysis of one of these regulatory regions and an alignment with promoters of other MgProto-inducible genes revealed the sequence motif (G/C)CGA(C/T)N(A/G)N₁₅ (T/C/A)(A/T/G) which, as shown for HSP70A, may confer MgProto responsiveness. This cis-acting sequence element is employed for induction of HSP70A by both MgProto and light, lending support to the model that light induction of this gene is mediated via MgProto.

Thioredoxins, glutaredoxins, and glutathionylation: new crosstalks to explore

Oxidants are widely considered as toxic molecules that cells have to scavenge and detoxify efficiently and continuously. However, emerging evidence suggests that these oxidants can play an important role in redox signaling, mainly through a set of reversible post-translational modifications of thiol residues on proteins. The most studied redox system in photosynthetic organisms is the thioredoxin (TRX) system, involved in the regulation of a growing number of target proteins via thiol/disulfide exchanges. In addition, recent studies suggest that glutaredoxins (GRX) could also play an important role in redox signaling especially by regulating protein glutathionylation, a post-translational modification whose importance begins to be recognized in mammals while much less is known in photosynthetic organisms. This review focuses on oxidants and redox signaling with particular emphasis on recent developments in the study of functions, regulation mechanisms and targets of TRX, GRX and glutathionylation. This review will also present the complex emerging interplay between these three components of redox-signaling networks.

Plant peroxisomes as a source of signalling molecules

Peroxisomes are pleiomorphic, metabolically plastic organelles. Their essentially oxidative function led to the adoption of the name 'peroxisome'. The dynamic and diverse nature of peroxisome metabolism has led to the realisation that peroxisomes are an important source of signalling molecules that can function to integrate cellular activity and multicellular development. In plants defence against predators and a hostile environment is of necessity a metabolic and developmental response--a plant has no place to hide. Mutant screens are implicating peroxisomes in disease resistance and signalling in response to light. Characterisation of mutants disrupted in peroxisomal beta-oxidation has led to a growing appreciation of the importance of this pathway in the production of jasmonic acid, conversion of indole butyric acid to indole acetic acid and possibly in the production of other signalling molecules. Likewise the role of peroxisomes in the production and detoxification of reactive oxygen, and possibly reactive nitrogen species and changes in redox status, suggests considerable scope for peroxisomes to contribute to perception and response to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Whereas the peroxisome is the sole site of beta-oxidation in plants, the production and detoxification of ROS in many cell compartments makes the specific contribution of the peroxisome much more difficult to establish. However progress in identifying peroxisome specific isoforms of enzymes associated with ROS metabolism should allow a more definitive assessment of these contributions in the future.

The role of EDS1 (enhanced disease susceptibility) during singlet oxygen-mediated stress responses of Arabidopsis

Upon a dark/light shift the conditional flu mutant of Arabidopsis starts to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) that is restricted to the plastid compartment. Distinct sets of genes are activated that are different from those induced by hydrogen peroxide/superoxide. One of the genes that is rapidly upregulated is EDS1 (enhanced disease susceptibility). The EDS1 protein has been shown to be required for the resistance to biotrophic pathogens and the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) that enhances the defenses of a plant by inducing the synthesis of pathogen-related (PR) proteins. Because of the similarity of its N-terminal portion to the catalytic site of lipases, EDS1 has also been implicated with the release of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the subsequent formation of various oxylipins. The release of singlet oxygen in the flu mutant triggers a drastic increase in the concentration of free SA and activates the expression of PR1 and PR5 genes. These changes depend on the activity of EDS1 and are suppressed in flu/eds1 double mutants. Soon after the beginning of singlet oxygen production, the synthesis of oxylipins such as jasmonic acid (JA) and 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) also start and plants stop growing and induce a cell-death response. The inactivation of EDS1 does not affect oxylipin synthesis, growth inhibition and the initiation of cell death, but it does allow plants to recover much faster from singlet oxygen-mediated growth inhibition and it also suppresses the spread of necrotic lesions in leaves. Hence, singlet oxygen activates a complex stress-response program with EDS1 playing a key role in initiating and modulating several steps of it. This program includes not only responses to oxidative stress, but also responses known to be activated during plant-pathogen interactions and wounding.

Chlorophyll metabolism

Since the 1970s, researchers have proposed several regulatory pathways governing chlorophyll metabolism, but only recently have the underlying molecular mechanisms been elucidated. The recent data indicate that such regulatory systems are more complex than originally anticipated. For instance, the pathways involve a series of protein-protein interactions, including complex formation, the dual localization of enzymes within chloroplasts, and a novel protein degradation mechanism that is triggered by pigments. Furthermore, several lines of evidence suggest that chlorophyll metabolism might not only significantly impact the assembly of photosynthetic machineries but also influence processes such as programmed cell death, the 'stay-green' phenomenon, and chloroplast-nucleus communication.

Light and singlet oxygen in plant defense against pathogens: phototoxic phenalenone phytoalexins

Plants defend themselves from pathogen infections or mechanical injury by a number of mechanisms, including the induced biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. These compounds, termed phytoalexins, represent a very economical way to counteract hazard, because the carbon and energy resources are diverted to phytoalexin synthesis only at the early period of attack and only at its site. The occurrence of phenalenone chromophores in phytoalexins of plants originally nonphototoxic suggests that these plants respond to pathogen attacks by biosynthesizing singlet oxygen photosensitizers able to use solar energy for defense. This concept may have implications for the development of novel crop protection strategies.

Sugar-induced tolerance to the herbicide atrazine in Arabidopsis seedlings involves activation of oxidative and xenobiotic stress responses

Exogenous sucrose confers to Arabidopsis seedlings a very high level of tolerance to the herbicide atrazine that cannot be ascribed to photoheterotrophic growth. Important differences of atrazine tolerance between sucrose and glucose treatments showed that activation of chloroplast biogenesis per se could not account for induced tolerance. Sucrose-induced acquisition of defence mechanisms was shown by the gene expression pattern of a chloroplastic iron superoxide dismutase and by enhancement of whole-cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Activation of these defence mechanisms depended on both soluble sugar and atrazine. Moreover, acquisition of sucrose protection was shown to unmask atrazine-induced gene expression, such as that of a cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase, which remained otherwise cryptic because of the lethal effects of atrazine in the absence of soluble sugars.

[The toxic aggregation of proteins: a kind of "molecular delinquency" actively fought in the cell by molecular chaperones and proteases]

Under various stresses, mutation-sensitised proteins may spontaneously convert into inactive, aggregation-prone structures, which may be cytotoxic and infectious. In the cell, this new kind of "molecular criminality" is actively fought against by a network of molecular chaperones that can specifically identify, isolate and unfold damaged (delinquent) proteins and favour their subsequent native refolding. Irreversibly damaged molecules unable to natively refold are preferentially "executed" and recycled by proteases. Failing that, they are "imprisoned" within compact amyloids, or "evicted" from the cell. Thus, striking parallels, although of questionable ethical value, exist between protein and human criminality, and between the cellular and social responses to these different types of criminality. Fundamental differences also exist. Whereas programmed death (apoptosis) is the preferred solution chosen by aged and aggregation-stressed cells, collective suicide is seldom an option chosen by lawless human societies. More significantly, there is no clear cellular equivalent for the role of the family and the education system, which are so essential to the proper shaping of functional individuals in the society, and give rise to humanism, that favours crime prevention, reeducation and reinsertion programs over capital punishment. To the cardiologist and transplantation surgeon, the interest of molecular chaperones, in particular of Hsp70, Hsp90 and Hsp27, lays in their ability to inhibit the signalling pathway of programmed cell death. Their induction before and during ischemia, by various treatments and drugs could significantly reduce damages from the post ischemic reperfusion of organs.

Membrane transport of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) belongs to the reactive oxygen species (ROS), known as oxidants that can react with various cellular targets thereby causing cell damage or even cell death. On the other hand, recent work has demonstrated that H2O2 also functions as a signalling molecule controlling different essential processes in plants and mammals. Because of these opposing functions the cellular level of H2O2 is likely to be subjected to tight regulation via processes involved in production, distribution and removal. Substantial progress has been made exploring the formation and scavenging of H2O2, whereas little is known about how this signal molecule is transported from its site of origin to the place of action or detoxification. From work in yeast and bacteria it is clear that the diffusion of H2O2 across membranes is limited. We have now obtained direct evidence that selected aquaporin homologues from plants and mammals have the capacity to channel H2O2 across membranes. The main focus of this review is (i) to summarize the most recent evidence for a signalling role of H2O2 in various pathways in plants and mammals and (ii) to discuss the relevance of specific transport of H2O2.

Determination of H2O2-dependent generation of singlet oxygen from human saliva with a novel chemiluminescence probe

Singlet oxygen (1O2) has been shown to play an important role in salivary defense system, but its generation process and level from human saliva remain uncertain due to the lack of a reliable detection method. We have previously reported 4,4'(5')-bis[2-(9-anthryloxy)ethylthio]tetrathiafulvalene (BAET) as a novel chemiluminescence probe for 1O2. In this work, the probe is successfully used to characterize H2O2-dependent generation of 1O2 from saliva in real time. However, the yield of 1O2 is found to be very low, for example, being about 0.13 nmol from 200 microL saliva in the presence of 1 mM of hydrogen peroxide over a 5-s reaction period. The result is also compared with that obtained with another 1O2 probe 2-methyl-6-phenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (CLA), demonstrating that, besides 1O2, the other reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radical may also be involved in the reaction of saliva with H2O2. Furthermore, the present study shows that the selectivity of BAET for 1O2 is much higher than that of CLA and thus BAET is highly suited for the detection of 1O2 in the presence of other reactive oxygen species in biological systems.

Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and accumulation of reactive oxygen species precede ultrastructural changes during ovule abortion

In many species, environmental stress reduces plant fertility. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a significant fraction of this reduction in plant fertility results from ovule abortion and embryo senescence. In this species, environmental conditions were identified that induced 94% of the developing ovules to either undergo stress-induced ovule abortion or embryo senescence (Sun et al. Plant Physiol 135:2358-2367, 2004). Following salt stress, physiological and anatomical changes were first detected in the female gametophyte of an aborting ovule. Two to four hours after a period of salt stress that induces most ovules to abort, the mitochondrial membrane potential dissipated. Subsequently, cells in the gametophyte accumulated reactive oxygen species, which are known to be molecules that promote programmed cell death (PCD). Because mitochondria often play an important role in PCD, these organelles were closely examined for changes in structure. Although the anatomy of mitochondria varied, reproducible changes in mitochondria structure were not observed. Nonetheless, other changes in ultrastructure were found. In some aborting gametophytes, concentric rings of endoplasmic reticulum were formed. In a fraction of the aborting ovules, cytoplasmic contents and organelles were invaginated into the vacuole. Even in cryofixed sections, many of these bodies appeared indistinct, which is consistent with the degradation of their contents.

Arabidopsis ACCELERATED CELL DEATH2 modulates programmed cell death

The Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplast protein ACCELERATED CELL DEATH2 (ACD2) modulates the amount of programmed cell death (PCD) triggered by Pseudomonas syringae and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) treatment. In vitro, ACD2 can reduce red chlorophyll catabolite, a chlorophyll derivative. We find that ACD2 shields root protoplasts that lack chlorophyll from light- and PPIX-induced PCD. Thus, chlorophyll catabolism is not obligatory for ACD2 anti-PCD function. Upon P. syringae infection, ACD2 levels and localization change in cells undergoing PCD and in their close neighbors. Thus, ACD2 shifts from being largely in chloroplasts to partitioning to chloroplasts, mitochondria, and, to a small extent, cytosol. ACD2 protects cells from PCD that requires the early mitochondrial oxidative burst. Later, the chloroplasts of dying cells generate NO, which only slightly affects cell viability. Finally, the mitochondria in dying cells have dramatically altered movements and cellular distribution. Overproduction of both ACD2 (localized to mitochondria and chloroplasts) and ascorbate peroxidase (localized to chloroplasts) greatly reduces P. syringae-induced PCD, suggesting a pro-PCD role for mitochondrial and chloroplast events. During infection, ACD2 may bind to and/or reduce PCD-inducing porphyrin-related molecules in mitochondria and possibly chloroplasts that generate reactive oxygen species, cause altered organelle behavior, and activate a cascade of PCD-inducing events.

Singlet Oxygen in Plants—Its Significance and Possible Detection with Double (Fluorescent and Spin) Indicator Reagents

Direct detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially singlet oxygen, in plants under stress conditions is of special importance, not only to identify primary events of oxidative damage, but also in studies exploring the potential role of ROS as signal molecules. Due to short life-times and diffusion distances of ROS, these tasks require highly reactive and selective indicator reagents, localized at the presumed site of production. In the present study, we compared four double sensors: ROS indicator reagents in which partial fluorescence quenching of a dansyl moiety occurs as a result of nitroxide radical formation from a sterically hindered amine constituent. Our experiments support the idea that shorter donor-acceptor distances within these molecules result in higher reactivity to ROS. The presence of a diethylaminoethyl side chain resulted in better selectivity to singlet oxygen: reagents lacking such substituent had an additional reactivity to superoxide anions, probably as a result of the formation of zwitterionic structures. Fluorescence localization studies of the indicator reagents in tobacco leaves and in Chlamydomonas cells show promising perspectives of their applications to plant stress studies.

Photoprotection in an ecological context: the remarkable complexity of thermal energy dissipation

This review places photoprotection into the context of ecology and species diversity. The focus is on photoprotection via the safe removal - as thermal energy - of excess solar energy absorbed by the light collecting system, which counteracts the formation of reactive oxygen species. An update on the surprisingly complex, multiple variations of thermal energy dissipation is presented, placing these different forms into ecological and genetic contexts. Zeaxanthin-facilitated, flexible thermal dissipation associated with the PsbS protein and controlled by the trans-thylakoid pH gradient apparently occurs ubiquitously in plants, and can become sustained (and thus less flexible) at low temperatures. Long-lived, slow-growing plants with low intrinsic capacities for photosynthesis have greater capacities for this flexible dissipation than short-lived, fast-growing species. Furthermore, potent, but inflexible (zeaxanthin-facilitated) thermal dissipation, prominent in evergreen species under prolonged environmental stress, is characterized with respect to the involvement of photosystem II core rearrangement and/or degradation as well as the absence of control by trans-thylakoid pH and, possibly, PsbS. A role of PsbS-related proteins in photoprotection is discussed.

Spatially Resolved Cellular Responses to Singlet Oxygen

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is unique amongst reactive oxygen species formed in cells in that it is an excited state molecule with an inherent upper lifetime of 4 micros in water. Whether the lifetime of 1O2 in cells is shortened by reactions with cellular molecules or reaches the inherent maximum value is still unclear. However, even with the maximum lifetime, the diffusion radius is only approximately 220 nm during three lifetimes (approximately 5% 1O2 remaining), much shorter than cellular dimensions indicating that the primary reactions of 1O2 will be subcellularly localized near the site of 1O2 formation. This fact has raised the question of whether spatially resolved cellular responses to 1O2 occur, i.e. whether responses can be initiated by generation and reaction of 1O2 at a particular subcellular location that would not have been produced by 1O2 generation at other subcellular sites. In this paper, we discuss examples of spatially resolved responses initiated by 1O2 as a function of distance from the site of generation of 1O2. Three levels are recognized, namely, a molecular level where the primary oxidation product directly modifies the behavior of a cell, an organelle level where the initial photo-oxidation products initiate mechanisms that are unique to the organelle and the cellular level where mediators diffuse from their site of formation to the target molecules that initiate the response. These examples indicate that, indeed, spatially resolved responses to 'O2 occur in cells.

A genetic approach towards elucidating the biological activity of different reactive oxygen species in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants are often exposed to external conditions that adversely affect their growth, development or productivity. Such unfavourable environmental stress factors may result in rapid and transient increases of intracellular concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are chemically distinct and impact plants either by being cytotoxic or by acting as a signal. Because different ROS are generated simultaneously in different cellular and extracellular compartments, it is almost impossible to link a particular ROS to a specific stress response and to determine its mode of action. The conditional flu mutant of Arabidopsis has been used to determine the biological role of singlet oxygen. Immediately after a dark/light shift of the flu mutant, singlet oxygen is generated within the plastids activating several stress responses that include growth inhibition of mature plants and seedling lethality. These stress responses do not result from physicochemical damage caused by singlet oxygen, but are attributable to the activation of a genetically determined stress response programme triggered by the Executer1 protein. Singlet oxygen-mediated stress responses at the transcriptional level necessitate a retrograde transduction of signals from the chloroplast to the nucleus that activate distinct sets of genes different from those that are induced by superoxide/hydrogen peroxide. Hence, the biological activities of these two types of ROS are distinct from each other. Whether they act independently or interact is not known yet and is the topic of our current research.

Chlorophyll degradation during senescence

The catabolic pathway of chlorophyll (Chl) during senescence and fruit ripening leads to the accumulation of colorless breakdown products (NCCs). This review updates an earlier review on Chl breakdown published here in 1999 ( 69 ). It summarizes recent advances in the biochemical reactions of the pathway and describes the characterization of new NCCs and their formation inside the vacuole. Furthermore, I focus on the recent molecular identification of three chl catabolic enzymes, chlorophyllase, pheophorbide a oxygenase (PAO), and red Chl catabolite reductase (RCCR). The analysis of Chl catabolic mutants demonstrates the importance of Chl breakdown for plant development and survival. Mutants defective in PAO or RCCR develop a lesion mimic phenotype, due to the accumulation of breakdown intermediates. Thus, Chl breakdown is a prerequisite to detoxify the potentially phototoxic pigment within the vacuoles in order to permit the remobilization of nitrogen from Chl-binding proteins to proceed during senescence.

Plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signaling

Plant cells store genetic information in the genomes of three organelles: the nucleus, plastid, and mitochondrion. The nucleus controls most aspects of organelle gene expression, development, and function. In return, organelles send signals to the nucleus to control nuclear gene expression, a process called retrograde signaling. This review summarizes our current understanding of plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signaling, which involves multiple, partially redundant signaling pathways. The best studied is a pathway that is triggered by buildup of Mg-ProtoporphyrinIX, the first intermediate in the chlorophyll branch of the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway. In addition, there is evidence for a plastid gene expression-dependent pathway, as well as a third pathway that is dependent on the redox state of photosynthetic electron transport components. Although genetic studies have identified several players involved in signal generation, very little is known of the signaling components or transcription factors that regulate the expression of hundreds of nuclear genes.

The diphenylether herbicide lactofen induces cell death and expression of defense-related genes in soybean

Lactofen belongs to the diphenylether class of herbicides, which targets protoporphyrinogen oxidase, which in turn causes singlet oxygen generation. In tolerant plants like soybean (Glycine max), the chemical nonetheless causes necrotic patches called "bronzing" in contact areas. Here it is shown that such bronzing is accompanied by cell death, which was quantified from digital microscopic images using Assess Software. Cellular autofluorescence accompanied cell death, and a homolog of the cell death marker gene, Hsr203j, was induced by lactofen in treated soybean tissues. Thus, this form of chemically induced cell death shares some hallmarks of certain types of programmed cell death. In addition to the cell death phenotype, lactofen caused enhanced expressions of chalcone synthase and chalcone reductase genes, mainly in the exposed and immediately adjacent (proximal) cells. Furthermore, isoflavone synthase genes, which are wound inducible in soybean, were up-regulated by lactofen in both proximal and distal cell zones in minimally wounded cotyledons and further enhanced in wounded tissues. Moreover, if the wall glucan elicitor from Phytophthora sojae was present during lactofen treatment, the induction of isoflavone synthase was even more rapid. These results are consistent with the fact that lactofen triggers massive isoflavone accumulations and activates the capacity for glyceollin elicitation competency. In addition, lactofen induces late expression of a selective set of pathogenesis-related (PR) protein genes, including PR-1a, PR-5, and PR-10, mainly in treated proximal tissues. These various results are discussed in the context of singlet oxygen-induced responses and lactofen's potential as a disease resistance-inducing agent.

Photo-oxidative stress in Rhodobacter sphaeroides: protective role of carotenoids and expression of selected genes

In Rhodobacter sphaeroides, carotenoids are essential constituents of the photosynthetic apparatus and are assumed to prevent the formation of singlet oxygen by quenching of triplet bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) in vivo. It was shown that small amounts of singlet oxygen are generated in vivo by incubation of R. sphaeroides under high light conditions. However, growth and survival rates were not affected. Higher amounts of singlet oxygen were generated by BChl a in a carotenoid-deficient strain and led to a decrease in growth and survival rates. The data support earlier results on the pivotal role of carotenoids in the defence against stress caused by singlet oxygen. Results obtained under photo-oxidative stress conditions with strains impaired in carotenoid synthesis suggest that sphaeroidene and neurosporene provide less protection against methylene-blue-generated singlet oxygen than sphaeroidenone in vivo. Despite their protective function against singlet oxygen, relative amounts of carotenoids did not accumulate in R. sphaeroides wild-type cultures under photo-oxidative stress, and relative mRNA levels of phytoene dehydrogenase and sphaeroidene monooxygenase did not increase. In contrast, singlet oxygen specifically induced the expression of glutathione peroxidase and a putative Zn-dependent hydrolase, but mRNA levels of hydrogen-peroxide-degrading catalase E were not significantly affected by photo-oxidative stress. Based on these results, it is suggested that singlet oxygen acts as a specific signal for gene expression in R. sphaeroides. Presumably transcriptional regulators exist to specifically induce the expression of genes involved in the response to stress caused by singlet oxygen.

Signaling pathways from the chloroplast to the nucleus

Genetic and physiological studies have to-date revealed evidence for five signaling pathways by which the chloroplast exerts retrograde control over nuclear genes. One of these pathways is dependent on product(s) of plastid protein synthesis, for another the signal is singlet oxygen, a third employs chloroplast-generated hydrogen peroxide, a fourth is controlled by the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and a fifth involves intermediates and possibly proteins of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. These five pathways may be part of a complex signaling network that links the functional and physiological state of the chloroplast to the nucleus. Mutants defective in various steps of photosynthesis reveal a surprising diversity in nuclear responses suggesting the existence of a complex signaling network.

Ascorbic acid deficiency activates cell death and disease resistance responses in Arabidopsis

Programmed cell death, developmental senescence, and responses to pathogens are linked through complex genetic controls that are influenced by redox regulation. Here we show that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) low vitamin C mutants, vtc1 and vtc2, which have between 10% and 25% of wild-type ascorbic acid, exhibit microlesions, express pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, and have enhanced basal resistance against infections caused by Pseudomonas syringae. The mutants have a delayed senescence phenotype with smaller leaf cells than the wild type at maturity. The vtc leaves have more glutathione than the wild type, with higher ratios of reduced glutathione to glutathione disulfide. Expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) fused to the nonexpressor of PR protein 1 (GFP-NPR1) was used to detect the presence of NPR1 in the nuclei of transformed plants. Fluorescence was observed in the nuclei of 6- to 8-week-old GFP-NPR1 vtc1 plants, but not in the nuclei of transformed GFP-NPR1 wild-type plants at any developmental stage. The absence of senescence-associated gene 12 (SAG12) mRNA at the time when constitutive cell death and basal resistance were detected confirms that elaboration of innate immune responses in vtc plants does not result from activation of early senescence. Moreover, H2O2-sensitive genes are not induced at the time of systemic acquired resistance execution. These results demonstrate that ascorbic acid abundance modifies the threshold for activation of plant innate defense responses via redox mechanisms that are independent of the natural senescence program.

Environmental stress alters genes expression and induces ovule abortion: reactive oxygen species appear as ovules commit to abort

Environmental stress dramatically reduces plant reproduction. Previous results showed that placing roots in 200 mM NaCl for 12 h caused 90% of the developing Arabidopsis ovules to abort (Sun et al. in Plant Physiol 135:2358-2367, 2004). To discover the molecular responses that occur during ovule abortion, gene expression was monitored using Affymetrix 24k genome arrays. Transcript levels were measured in pistils that were stressed for 6, 12, 18, and 24 h, then compared with the levels in healthy pistils. Over the course of this experiment, a total of 535 salt-responsive genes were identified. Cluster analysis showed that differentially expressed genes exhibited reproducible changes in expression. The expression of 65 transcription factors, some of which are known to be involved in stress responses, were modulated during ovule abortion. In flowers, salt stress led to a 30-fold increase in Na+ ions and modest, but significant, decreases in the accumulation of other ions. The expression of cation exchangers and ion transporters were induced, presumably to reestablish ion homeostasis following salt stress. Genes that encode enzymes that detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS), including ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase, were downregulated after ovules committed to abort. These changes in gene expression coincided with the synthesis of ROS in female gametophytes. One day after salt stress, ROS spread from the gametophytes to the maternal chalaza and integuments. In addition, genes encoding proteins that regulate ethylene responses, including ethylene biosynthesis, ethylene signal transduction and ethylene-responsive transcription factors, were upregulated after stress. Hypotheses are proposed on the basis of this expression analysis, which will be evaluated further in future experiments.

Chlorophyll breakdown in senescent Arabidopsis leaves. Characterization of chlorophyll catabolites and of chlorophyll catabolic enzymes involved in the degreening reaction

During senescence, chlorophyll (chl) is metabolized to colorless nonfluorescent chl catabolites (NCCs). A central reaction of the breakdown pathway is the ring cleavage of pheophorbide (pheide) a to a primary fluorescent chl catabolite. Two enzymes catalyze this reaction, pheide a oxygenase (PAO) and red chl catabolite reductase. Five NCCs and three fluorescent chl catabolites (FCCs) accumulated during dark-induced chl breakdown in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Three of these NCCs and one FCC (primary fluorescent chl catabolite-1) were identical to known catabolites from canola (Brassica napus). The presence in Arabidopsis of two modified FCCs supports the hypothesis that modifications, as present in NCCs, occur at the level of FCC. Chl degradation in Arabidopsis correlated with the accumulation of FCCs and NCCs, as well as with an increase in PAO activity. This increase was due to an up-regulation of Pao gene expression. In contrast, red chl catabolite reductase is not regulated during leaf development and senescence. A pao1 knockout mutant was identified and analyzed. The mutant showed an age- and light-dependent cell death phenotype on leaves and in flowers caused by the accumulation of photoreactive pheide a. In the dark, pao1 exhibited a stay-green phenotype. The key role of PAO in chl breakdown is discussed.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death in Arabidopsis: transcriptional and mutant analysis reveals a role of an oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase gene in the cell death process

Hydrogen peroxide is a major regulator of plant programmed cell death (PCD) but little is known about the downstream genes from the H(2)O(2)-signaling network that mediate the cell death. To address this question, a novel system for studying H(2)O(2)-induced programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana was used. The catalase inhibitor aminotriazole (AT) reduced the catalase activity and caused endogenous accumulation of hydrogen peroxide that eventually triggered cell death. Microarray analysis with a DNA chip representing 21500 genes and subsequent comparison with other PCD-related expression studies revealed a set of new H(2)O(2)-responsive genes that were highly regulated in a common fashion during different types of PCD. These included an oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase and various oxidoreductases, the transcription factors Zat11, WRKY75 and NAM, proteasomal components, a heterologous group of genes with diverse functions, and genes encoding proteins with unknown functions. Knockout lines of the oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase exhibited significantly reduced death symptoms and chlorophyll loss upon H(2)O(2)-induced cell death, indicating a role for this gene in the cell death network.

Plant immunity: the EDS1 regulatory node

ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1) and its interacting partner, PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4), constitute a regulatory hub that is essential for basal resistance to invasive biotrophic and hemi-biotrophic pathogens. EDS1 and PAD4 are also recruited by Toll-Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR)-type nucleotide binding-leucine rich repeat (NB-LRR) proteins to signal isolate-specific pathogen recognition. Recent work points to a fundamental role of EDS1 and PAD4 in transducing redox signals in response to certain biotic and abiotic stresses. These intracellular proteins are important activators of salicylic acid (SA) signaling and also mediate antagonism between the jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) defense response pathways. EDS1 forms several molecularly and spatially distinct complexes with PAD4 and a newly discovered in vivo signaling partner, SENESCENCE ASSOCIATED GENE 101 (SAG101). Together, EDS1, PAD4 and SAG101 provide a major barrier to infection by both host-adapted and non-host pathogens.

Comparison of the light-harvesting networks of plant and cyanobacterial photosystem I

With the availability of structural models for photosystem I (PSI) in cyanobacteria and plants it is possible to compare the excitation transfer networks in this ubiquitous photosystem from two domains of life separated by over one billion years of divergent evolution, thus providing an insight into the physical constraints that shape the networks' evolution. Structure-based modeling methods are used to examine the excitation transfer kinetics of the plant PSI-LHCI supercomplex. For this purpose an effective Hamiltonian is constructed that combines an existing cyanobacterial model for structurally conserved chlorophylls with spectral information for chlorophylls in the Lhca subunits. The plant PSI excitation migration network thus characterized is compared to its cyanobacterial counterpart investigated earlier. In agreement with observations, an average excitation transfer lifetime of approximately 49 ps is computed for the plant PSI-LHCI supercomplex with a corresponding quantum yield of 95%. The sensitivity of the results to chlorophyll site energy assignments is discussed. Lhca subunits are efficiently coupled to the PSI core via gap chlorophylls. In contrast to the chlorophylls in the vicinity of the reaction center, previously shown to optimize the quantum yield of the excitation transfer process, the orientational ordering of peripheral chlorophylls does not show such optimality. The finding suggests that after close packing of chlorophylls was achieved, constraints other than efficiency of the overall excitation transfer process precluded further evolution of pigment ordering.

Fungal Elicitor Induces Singlet Oxygen Generation, Ethylene Release and Saponin Synthesis in Cultured Cells of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

Singlet oxygen is a high-energy molecular oxygen species. As one of the most active intermediates involved in chemical and biochemical reactions, singlet oxygen plays essential roles in plant responses to UV and strong light. Here, we report that Cle, an elicitor derived from fungal cell walls, induces the generation of singlet oxygen in cell cultures of ginseng, Panax ginseng. Cle treatment also triggers the activation of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO), subsequently leading to ethylene release and increased saponin synthesis, as shown by increased mRNA expression of squalene synthase (SQS) and squalene epoxidase (SQE), and accumulation of beta-amyrin synthase (beta-AS). Suppression of Cle-induced singlet oxygen generation or inhibition of ethylene production blocks saponin synthesis, whereas treatment of ginseng cells with ethylene or singlet oxygen induces the synthesis of saponin. Together, these results indicate that Cle-induced production of both singlet oxygen and ethylene is required for saponin synthesis, and that singlet oxygen may function upstream of ethylene during Cle-induced saponin synthesis.

A transcriptional response to singlet oxygen, a toxic byproduct of photosynthesis

The ability of phototrophs to convert light into biological energy is critical for life on Earth. However, there can be deleterious consequences associated with this bioenergetic conversion, including the production of toxic byproducts. For example, singlet oxygen (1O2) can be formed during photosynthesis by energy transfer from excited triplet-state chlorophyll pigments to O2. By monitoring gene expression and growth in the presence of 1O2, we show that the phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides mounts a transcriptional response to this reactive oxygen species (ROS) that requires the alternative sigma factor, sigma(E). An increase in sigma(E) activity is seen when cells are exposed to 1O2 generated either by photochemistry within the photosynthetic apparatus or the photosensitizer, methylene blue. Wavelengths of light responsible for the generating triplet-state chlorophyll pigments in the photosynthetic apparatus are sufficient for a sustained increase in sigma(E) activity. Continued exposure to 1O2 is required to maintain this transcriptional response, and other ROS do not cause a similar increase in sigma(E)-dependent gene expression. When a sigma(E) mutant produces low levels of carotenoids, 1O2 is bacteriocidal, suggesting that this response is essential for protecting cells from this ROS. In addition, global gene expression analysis identified approximately 180 genes (approximately 60 operons) whose RNA levels increase > or = 3-fold in cells with increased sigma(E) activity. Gene products encoded by four newly identified sigma(E)-dependent operons are predicted to be involved in stress response, protecting cells from 1O2 damage, or the conservation of energy.