Increased intracellular H₂O₂ availability preferentially drives glutathione accumulation in vacuoles and chloroplasts

Glutathione: a key modulator of plant defence and metabolism through multiple mechanisms

Redox reactions are fundamental to energy conversion in living cells, and also determine and tune responses to the environment. Within this context, the tripeptide glutathione plays numerous roles. As an important antioxidant, glutathione confers redox stability on the cell and also acts as an interface between signalling pathways and metabolic reactions that fuel growth and development. It also contributes to the assembly of cell components, biosynthesis of sulfur-containing metabolites, inactivation of potentially deleterious compounds, and control of hormonal signalling intensity. The multiplicity of these roles probably explains why glutathione status has been implicated in influencing plant responses to many different conditions. In particular, there is now a considerable body of evidence showing that glutathione is a crucial player in governing the outcome of biotic stresses. This review provides an overview of glutathione synthesis, transport, degradation, and redox turnover in plants. It examines the expression of genes associated with these processes during pathogen challenge and related conditions, and considers the diversity of mechanisms by which glutathione can influence protein function and gene expression.

Specificity and dynamics of H2O2 detoxification by the cytosolic redox regulatory network as revealed by in vitro reconstitution

The thiol redox state is a decisive functional characteristic of proteins in cell biology. Plasmatic cell compartments maintain a thiol-based redox regulatory network linked to the glutathione/glutathione disulfide couple (GSH/GSSG) and the NAD(P)H system. The basic network constituents are known and in vivo cell imaging with gene-encoded probes have revealed insight into the dynamics of the [GSH]2/[GSSG] redox potential, cellular H2O2 and NAD(P)H+H+ amounts in dependence on metabolic and environmental cues. Less understood is the contribution and interaction of the network components, also because of compensatory reactions in genetic approaches. Reconstituting the cytosolic network of Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro from fifteen recombinant proteins at in vivo concentrations, namely glutathione peroxidase-like (GPXL), peroxiredoxins (PRX), glutaredoxins (GRX), thioredoxins, NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase A and glutathione reductase and applying Grx1-roGFP2 or roGFP2-Orp1 as dynamic sensors, allowed for monitoring the response to a single H2O2 pulse. The major change in thiol oxidation as quantified by mass spectrometry-based proteomics occurred in relevant peptides of GPXL, and to a lesser extent of PRX, while other Cys-containing peptides only showed small changes in their redox state and protection. Titration of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) into the system together with dehydroascorbate reductase lowered the oxidation of the fluorescent sensors in the network but was unable to suppress it. The results demonstrate the power of the network to detoxify H2O2, the partially independent branches of electron flow with significance for specific cell signaling and the importance of APX to modulate the signaling without suppressing it and shifting the burden to glutathione oxidation.

Role of Soil and Foliar-Applied Carbon Dots in Plant Iron Biofortification and Cadmium Mitigation by Triggering Opposite Iron Signaling in Roots

In China, iron (Fe) availability is low in most soils but cadmium (Cd) generally exceeds regulatory soil pollution limits. Thus, biofortification of Fe along with mitigation of Cd in edible plant parts is important for human nutrition and health. Carbon dots (CDs) are considered as potential nanomaterials for agricultural applications. Here, Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived CDs are an efficient modulator of Fe, manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and Cd accumulation in plants. CDs irrigation (1 mg mL-1 , performed every week starting at the jointing stage for 12 weeks) increased Fe content by 18% but mitigated Cd accumulation by 20% in wheat grains. This finding was associated with the Fe3+ -mobilizing properties of CDs from the soil and root cell wall, as well as endocytosis-dependent internalization in roots. The resulting excess Fe signaling mitigated Cd uptake via inhibiting TaNRAMP5 expression. Foliar spraying of CDs enhanced Fe (44%), Mn (30%), and Zn (19%) content with an unchanged Cd accumulation in wheat grains. This result is attributed to CDs-enhanced light signaling, which triggered shoot-to-root Fe deficiency response. This study not only reveals the molecular mechanism underlying CDs modulation of Fe signaling in plants but also provides useful strategies for concurrent Fe biofortification and Cd mitigation in plant-based foods.

Degradation of glutathione and glutathione conjugates in plants

Glutathione (GSH) is a ubiquitous, abundant, and indispensable thiol for plants that participates in various biological processes, such as scavenging reactive oxygen species, redox signaling, storage and transport of sulfur, detoxification of harmful substances, and metabolism of several compounds. Therefore knowledge of GSH metabolism is essential for plant science. Nevertheless, GSH degradation has been insufficiently elucidated, and this has hampered our understanding of plant life. Over the last five decades, the γ-glutamyl cycle has been dominant in GSH studies, and the exoenzyme γ-glutamyl transpeptidase has been regarded as the major GSH degradation enzyme. However, recent studies have shown that GSH is degraded in cells by cytosolic enzymes such as γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase or γ-glutamyl peptidase. Meanwhile, a portion of GSH is degraded after conjugation with other molecules, which has also been found to be carried out by vacuolar γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, γ-glutamyl peptidase, or phytochelatin synthase. These findings highlight the need to re-assess previous assumptions concerning the γ-glutamyl cycle, and a novel overview of the plant GSH degradation pathway is essential. This review aims to build a foundation for future studies by summarizing current understanding of GSH/glutathione conjugate degradation.

Antioxidant Potential of Glutathione and Crosstalk with Phytohormones in Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants

Glutathione (GSH) is an abundant tripeptide that can enhance plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Its main role is to counter free radicals and detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in cells under unfavorable conditions. Moreover, along with other second messengers (such as ROS, calcium, nitric oxide, cyclic nucleotides, etc.), GSH also acts as a cellular signal involved in stress signal pathways in plants, directly or along with the glutaredoxin and thioredoxin systems. While associated biochemical activities and roles in cellular stress response have been widely presented, the relationship between phytohormones and GSH has received comparatively less attention. This review, after presenting glutathione as part of plants' feedback to main abiotic stress factors, focuses on the interaction between GSH and phytohormones, and their roles in the modulation of the acclimatation and tolerance to abiotic stress in crops plants.

Relevance of the Exocyst in Arabidopsis exo70e2 Mutant for Cellular Homeostasis under Stress

Plants must adapt to cope with adverse environmental conditions that affect their growth and development. To overcome these constraints, they can alter their developmental patterns by modulating cellular processes and activating stress-responsive signals. Alongside the activation of the antioxidant (AOX) system, a high number of genes are expressed, and proteins must be distributed to the correct locations within the cell. The endomembrane system and associated vesicles thus play an important role. Several pathways have been associated with adverse environmental conditions, which is the case for the exocyst-positive organelle-EXPO. The present work, using Arabidopsis mutants with T-DNA insertions in the gene EXO70, essential for EXPO vesicles formation, was designed to characterise the anatomical (morphology and root length), biochemical (quantification of stress markers and antioxidant system components), and molecular responses (gene expression) to abiotic stresses (saline, drought, oxidative, and metal-induced toxicity). The results obtained showed that mutant plants behave differently from the wild type (WT) plants. Therefore, in the exo70 mutant, morphological changes were more noticeable in plants under stress, and the non-enzymatic component of the antioxidant system was activated, with no alterations to the enzymatic component. Furthermore, other defence strategies, such as autophagy, did not show important changes. These results confirmed the EXPO as an important structure for tolerance/adaptation to stress.

Organelle-specific localization of glutathione in plants grown under different light intensities and spectra

Plant ascorbate and glutathione metabolism counteracts oxidative stress mediated, for example, by excess light. In this review, we discuss the properties of immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, redox-sensitive dyes or probes and bright-field microscopy, confocal microscopy or fluorescence microscopy for the visualization and quantification of glutathione at the cellular or subcellular level in plants and the quantification of glutathione from isolated organelles. In previous studies, we showed that subcellular ascorbate and glutathione levels in Arabidopsis are affected by high light stress. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is gaining increasing importance in growing indoor crops and ornamental plants. A combination of different LED types allows custom-made combinations of wavelengths and prevents damage related to high photon flux rates. In this review we provide an overview on how different light spectra and light intensities affect glutathione metabolism at the cellular and subcellular levels in plants. Findings obtained in our most recent study demonstrate that both light intensity and spectrum significantly affected glutathione metabolism in wheat at the transcriptional level and caused genotype-specific reactions in the investigated Arabidopsis lines.

Volumetric 3D reconstruction of plant leaf cells using SEM, ion milling, TEM, and serial sectioning

Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy is well suited for volumetric extractions and 3D reconstructions of plant cells and its organelles. The three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of individual plant cells is an important tool to extract volumetric data of organelles and is necessary to fully understand ultrastructural changes and adaptations of plants to their environment. Methods such as the 3D reconstruction of cells based on light microscopical images often lack the resolution necessary to clearly reconstruct all cell compartments within a cell. The 3D reconstruction of cells through serial sectioning transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM) and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) are powerful alternatives but not widely used in plant sciences. Here, we present a method for the 3D reconstruction and volumetric extraction of plant cells based on FIB milling and compare the results with 3D reconstructions obtained with ssTEM. When compared to 3D reconstruction based on ssTEM, FIB-SEM delivered similar results. The data extracted in this study demonstrated that tobacco cells were larger (31410 µm³) than pumpkin cells (20697 µm³) and contained more chloroplasts (175 vs. 124), mitochondria (1317 vs. 291) and peroxisomes (745 vs. 79). While individual chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes were larger in pumpkin plants (25, 53, and 50%, respectively) they covered more total volume in tobacco plants (5390, 395, 374 µm³, respectively) due to their higher number per cell when compared to pumpkin plants (4762, 134, 59 µm³, respectively). While image acquisition with FIB-SEM was automated, software controlled, and less difficult than ssTEM, FIB milling was slower and sections could not be revised or re-imaged as they were destroyed by the ion beam. Nevertheless, the results in this study demonstrated that both, FIB-SEM and ssTEM, are powerful tools for the 3D reconstruction of and volumetric extraction from plant cells and that there were large differences in size, number, and organelle composition between pumpkin and tobacco cells.

Reductive stress triggers ANAC017-mediated retrograde signaling to safeguard the endoplasmic reticulum by boosting mitochondrial respiratory capacity

Redox processes are at the heart of universal life processes, such as metabolism, signaling, or folding of secreted proteins. Redox landscapes differ between cell compartments and are strictly controlled to tolerate changing conditions and to avoid cell dysfunction. While a sophisticated antioxidant network counteracts oxidative stress, our understanding of reductive stress responses remains fragmentary. Here, we observed root growth impairment in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants of mitochondrial alternative oxidase 1a (aox1a) in response to the model thiol reductant dithiothreitol (DTT). Mutants of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (ucp1) displayed a similar phenotype indicating that impaired respiratory flexibility led to hypersensitivity. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was enhanced in the mitochondrial mutants and limiting ER oxidoreductin capacity in the aox1a background led to synergistic root growth impairment by DTT, indicating that mitochondrial respiration alleviates reductive ER stress. The observations that DTT triggered nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) reduction in vivo and that the presence of thiols led to electron transport chain activity in isolated mitochondria offer a biochemical framework of mitochondrion-mediated alleviation of thiol-mediated reductive stress. Ablation of transcription factor Arabidopsis NAC domain-containing protein17 (ANAC017) impaired the induction of AOX1a expression by DTT and led to DTT hypersensitivity, revealing that reductive stress tolerance is achieved by adjusting mitochondrial respiratory capacity via retrograde signaling. Our data reveal an unexpected role for mitochondrial respiratory flexibility and retrograde signaling in reductive stress tolerance involving inter-organelle redox crosstalk.

Coping with Abiotic Stress in Plants-An Endomembrane Trafficking Perspective

Plant cells face many changes through their life cycle and develop several mechanisms to cope with adversity. Stress caused by environmental factors is turning out to be more and more relevant as the human population grows and plant cultures start to fail. As eukaryotes, plant cells must coordinate several processes occurring between compartments and combine different pathways for protein transport to several cellular locations. Conventionally, these pathways begin at the ER, or endoplasmic reticulum, move through the Golgi and deliver cargo to the vacuole or to the plasma membrane. However, when under stress, protein trafficking in plants is compromised, usually leading to changes in the endomembrane system that may include protein transport through unconventional routes and alteration of morphology, activity and content of key organelles, as the ER and the vacuole. Such events provide the tools for cells to adapt and overcome the challenges brought on by stress. With this review, we gathered fragmented information on the subject, highlighting how such changes are processed within the endomembrane system and how it responds to an ever-changing environment. Even though the available data on this subject are still sparse, novel information is starting to untangle the complexity and dynamics of protein transport routes and their role in maintaining cell homeostasis under harsh conditions.

Proteins, Small Peptides and Other Signaling Molecules Identified as Inconspicuous but Possibly Important Players in Microspores Reprogramming Toward Embryogenesis

In this review, we describe and integrate the latest knowledge on the signaling role of proteins and peptides in the stress-induced microspore embryogenesis (ME) in some crop plants with agricultural importance (i.e., oilseed rape, tobacco, barley, wheat, rice, triticale, rye). Based on the results received from the most advanced omix analyses, we have selected some inconspicuous but possibly important players in microspores reprogramming toward embryogenic development. We provide an overview of the roles and downstream effect of stress-related proteins (e.g., β-1,3-glucanases, chitinases) and small signaling peptides, especially cysteine—(e.g., glutathione, γ-thionins, rapid alkalinization factor, lipid transfer, phytosulfokine) and glycine-rich peptides and other proteins (e.g., fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein) on acclimation ability of microspores and the cell wall reconstruction in a context of ME induction and haploids/doubled haploids (DHs) production. Application of these molecules, stimulating the induction and proper development of embryo-like structures and green plant regeneration, brings significant improvement of the effectiveness of DHs procedures and could result in its wider incorporation on a commercial scale. Recent advances in the design and construction of synthetic peptides–mainly cysteine-rich peptides and their derivatives–have accelerated the development of new DNA-free genome-editing techniques. These new systems are evolving incredibly fast and soon will find application in many areas of plant science and breeding.

Glutathione Metabolism in Plants under Stress: Beyond Reactive Oxygen Species Detoxification

Glutathione is an essential metabolite for plant life best known for its role in the control of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Glutathione is also involved in the detoxification of methylglyoxal (MG) which, much like ROS, is produced at low levels by aerobic metabolism under normal conditions. While several physiological processes depend on ROS and MG, a variety of stresses can dramatically increase their concentration leading to potentially deleterious effects. In this review, we examine the structure and the stress regulation of the pathways involved in glutathione synthesis and degradation. We provide a synthesis of the current knowledge on the glutathione-dependent glyoxalase pathway responsible for MG detoxification. We present recent developments on the organization of the glyoxalase pathway in which alternative splicing generate a number of isoforms targeted to various subcellular compartments. Stress regulation of enzymes involved in MG detoxification occurs at multiple levels. A growing number of studies show that oxidative stress promotes the covalent modification of proteins by glutathione. This post-translational modification is called S-glutathionylation. It affects the function of several target proteins and is relevant to stress adaptation. We address this regulatory function in an analysis of the enzymes and pathways targeted by S-glutathionylation.

Bioaccumulation of uranium by Candida utilis: Investigated by water chemistry and biological effects

The bioaccumulation of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) on Candida utilis (C. utilis) and its biological effects were investigated via batch and biologic techniques. The bioaccumulation mechanism of U(VI) and C. utilis were characterized by SEM, TEM, FT-IR and XPS. The batch results showed that C. utilis had a high adsorption capacity (41.15 mg/g wet cells at pH 5.0) and high equilibrium rate (~100% within 3.5 h). The analysis of intracellular hydrogen peroxides and malondialdehyde suggested that the growth of C. utilis was inhibited under different concentrations of U(VI) due to the abundant production of reactive oxide species. The activity of intracellular antioxidants (e.g., super oxide dismutase and glutathione) was significantly enhanced under U(VI) stress, indicating the anti-toxic effect of C. utilis cells under low U(VI) stress. These results indicated that C. utilis is an ideal biosorbent for removing radionuclides in environmental remediation.

The pivotal function of dehydroascorbate reductase in glutathione homeostasis in plants

Under natural conditions, plants are exposed to various abiotic and biotic stresses that trigger rapid changes in the production and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The ascorbate-glutathione pathway has been recognized to be a key player in H2O2 metabolism, in which reduced glutathione (GSH) regenerates ascorbate by reducing dehydroascorbate (DHA), either chemically or via DHA reductase (DHAR), an enzyme belonging to the glutathione S-transferase (GST) superfamily. Thus, DHAR has been considered to be important in maintaining the ascorbate pool and its redox state. Although some GSTs and peroxiredoxins may contribute to GSH oxidation, analysis of Arabidopsis dhar mutants has identified the key role of DHAR in coupling H2O2 to GSH oxidation. The reaction of DHAR has been proposed to proceed by a ping-pong mechanism, in which binding of DHA to the free reduced form of the enzyme is followed by binding of GSH. Information from crystal structures has shed light on the formation of sulfenic acid at the catalytic cysteine of DHAR that occurs with the reduction of DHA. In this review, we discuss the molecular properties of DHAR and its importance in coupling the ascorbate and glutathione pools with H2O2 metabolism, together with its functions in plant defense, growth, and development.

NAD(P)-Driven Redox Status Contributes to Desiccation Tolerance in Acer seeds

Desiccation tolerance is a developmental program enabling seed survival in a dry state and is common in seeds categorized as orthodox. We focused on NAD and its phosphorylated form (NADP) because their continual switching between reduced (NAD(P)H) and oxidized (NAD(P)+) forms is involved in the modulation of redox signaling and the determination of the reducing power and further antioxidant responses. Norway maple and sycamore seeds representing the orthodox and recalcitrant categories, respectively, were used as models in a comparison of responses to water loss. The process of desiccation up to 10% water content (WC) was monitored in Norway maple seeds, while dehydration up to 30% WC was monitored in desiccation-sensitive sycamore seeds. Norway maple and sycamore seeds, particularly their embryonic axes, exhibited a distinct redox status during dehydration and desiccation. High NADPH levels, NAD+ accumulation, low and stable NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+ ratios expressed as reducing power and high NADPH-dependent enzyme activity were reported in Norway maple seeds and were considered attributes of orthodox-type seeds. The contrasting results of sycamore seeds contributed to their low antioxidant capacity and high sensitivity to desiccation. NADPH deficiency, low NADPH-dependent enzyme activity and lack of NAD+ accumulation were primary features of sycamore seeds, with implications for their NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+ ratios and reducing power and with effects on many seed traits. Thus, we propose that the distinct levels of pyridine nucleotides and their redox status contribute to orthodox and recalcitrant phenotype differentiation in seeds by affecting cellular redox signaling, metabolism and the antioxidant system.

Polarizing Graphene Quantum Dots toward Long-Acting Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Evaluation and Tumor Detection

The evaluation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) would greatly deepen the understanding of cell metabolism/proliferation and tumor detection. However, current long-acting level tracking techniques for intracellular ROS remain unsuited to practical applications. To solve this problem, we synthesized cyclotriphosphazene-doped graphene quantum dots (C-GQDs) whose quantum yield is highly sensitive to ROS (increased by 400% from 0.12 to 0.63). Electron cloud polarization of oxidized cyclotriphosphazene rings in C-GQDs is confirmed to account for this novel optical property by density functional theory calculations and experimental results. In combination with excellent biological stability, C-GQDs achieve a long-acting evaluation of intracellular ROS level (more than 72 h) with an accuracy of 98.3%. In addition, recognition rates exceeding 90% are demonstrated to be feasible for eight kinds of tumor cell lines cultured with C-GQDs, which can also be expanded to in vivo detection. C-GQDs also show a high recognition rate (82.33%) and sensitivity (79.65%) for tumor cells in blood samples.

Glutathione redox state plays a key role in flower development and pollen vigour

The importance of the glutathione pool in the development of reproductive tissues and in pollen tube growth was investigated in wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis thaliana, a reporter line expressing redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein (roGFP2), and a glutathione-deficient cad2-1 mutant (cad2-1/roGFP2). The cad2-1/roGFP2 flowers had significantly less reduced glutathione (GSH) and more glutathione disulfide (GSSG) than WT or roGFP2 flowers. The stigma, style, anther, germinated pollen grains, and pollen tubes of roGFP2 flowers had a low degree of oxidation. However, these tissues were more oxidized in cad2-1/roGFP2 flowers than the roGFP2 controls. The ungerminated pollen grains were significantly more oxidized than the germinated pollen grains, indicating that the pollen cells become reduced upon the transition from the quiescent to the metabolically active state during germination. The germination percentage was lower in cad2-1/roGFP2 pollen and pollen tube growth arrested earlier than in roGFP2 pollen, demonstrating that increased cellular reduction is essential for pollen tube growth. These findings establish that ungerminated pollen grains exist in a relatively oxidized state compared with germinating pollen grains. Moreover, failure to accumulate glutathione and maintain a high GSH/GSSG ratio has a strong negative effect on pollen germination.

The Significance of Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidant Defense System in Plants: A Concise Overview

In plants, there is a complex and multilevel network of the antioxidative system (AOS) operating to counteract harmful reactive species (RS), the foremost important of which are reactive oxygen species (ROS), and maintain homeostasis within the cell. Specific AOSs for plant cells are, first and foremost, enzymes of the glutathione-ascorbate cycle (Asc-GSH), followed by phenolic compounds and lipophilic antioxidants like carotenoids and tocopherols. Evidence that plant cells have excellent antioxidative defense systems is their ability to survive at H₂O₂ concentrations incompatible with animal cell life. For the survival of stressed plants, it is of particular importance that AOS cooperate and participate in redox reactions, therefore, providing better protection and regeneration of the active reduced forms. Considering that plants abound in antioxidant compounds, and humans are not predisposed to synthesize the majority of them, new fields of research have emerged. Antioxidant potential of plant compounds has been exploited for anti-aging formulations preparation, food fortification and preservation but also in designing new therapies for diseases with oxidative stress implicated in etiology.

Desiccation Mitigates Heat Stress in the Resurrection Fern, Pleopeltis polypodioides

Although heat and desiccation stresses often coincide, the response to heat especially in desiccation tolerant plants is rarely studied. We subjected hydrated Pleopeltis polypodioides fronds to temperatures up to 50°C and dehydrated fronds up to 65°C for 24 h. The effect of heat stress was evaluated using morphological changes, photosystem (PS) II efficiency, and metabolic indicators. Pinnae of dried fronds exposed to more than 40°C curled tighter and became brittle compared to fronds dried at lower temperatures. Exposure to > 50°C leads to discolored fronds after rehydration. Hydrated fronds turned partially brown at > 35°C. Chlorophyll fluorescence (F_t) and quantum yield (Q_y) increased following re-hydration but the recovery process after 40°C treatment lasted longer than at lower temperatures. Similarly, hydrated fronds showed reduced Q_y when exposed to > 40°C. Dried and hydrated fronds remained metabolically active up to 40°C. Hydroperoxides and lipid hydroperoxides in dried samples remained high up to 50°C, but decreased in hydrated fronds at > 40°C. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) oxidizing activities remained high up to 40°C in dehydrated fronds and up to 35°C in hydrated fronds. Major fatty acids detected in both dehydrated and hydrated fronds included palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) acids, oleic (18:1), linoleic (C18:2); and linolenic (C18:3) acids. Linolenic acid was most abundant. In dried fronds, all fatty acids decreased at > 35°C. The combined data indicate that the thermotolerance of dry fronds is about 55°C but is at least 10°C lower for hydrated fronds.

Assessment of Subcellular ROS and NO Metabolism in Higher Plants: Multifunctional Signaling Molecules

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are produced in all aerobic life forms under both physiological and adverse conditions. Unregulated ROS/NO generation causes nitro-oxidative damage, which has a detrimental impact on the function of essential macromolecules. ROS/NO production is also involved in signaling processes as secondary messengers in plant cells under physiological conditions. ROS/NO generation takes place in different subcellular compartments including chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes, vacuoles, and a diverse range of plant membranes. This compartmentalization has been identified as an additional cellular strategy for regulating these molecules. This assessment of subcellular ROS/NO metabolisms includes the following processes: ROS/NO generation in different plant cell sites; ROS interactions with other signaling molecules, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), phosphatase, calcium (Ca²⁺), and activator proteins; redox-sensitive genes regulated by the iron-responsive element/iron regulatory protein (IRE-IRP) system and iron regulatory transporter 1(IRT1); and ROS/NO crosstalk during signal transduction. All these processes highlight the complex relationship between ROS and NO metabolism which needs to be evaluated from a broad perspective.

Comparative analyses of glutathione system of vacuoles and leucoplasts isolated from the storage parenchyma cells of dormant red beetroots (Beta vulgaris L.)

The role of glutathione in the plant vacuole is still being debated. In the present paper, the redox state of glutathione and the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST, E 2.5.1.18) in the vacuole compared to those in leucoplast have been studied. Organelles were isolated from dormant red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) taproots. Two generally used approaches have been applied to quantitatively assess the content of glutathione. Initially, levels of glutathione were measured in isolated organelles after labeling with monochlorobimane (MCB) and imaging with the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy. However, there are factors limiting the specificity of this method, because of which the resulting concentrations of vacuolar GSH have been underestimated. Another approach used was HPLC, which allows to simultaneously quantify the reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG). The concentration of the total glutathione (GSHt) and GSSG in vacuoles determined with the aid of HPLC-UV was higher in comparison to that in the leucoplasts. The reduction potential (E_h) for the glutathione couple in the vacuoles was more positive (-163 mV), than that in plastids (-282 mV). The relatively rapid increase in fluorescence in the isolated vacuoles and plastids during MCB-labeling has indicated to the contribution of GSTs, since the conjugation of GSH to bimane is catalysed by these enzymes. The GST activity in the vacuoles has been assessed to be quite high compared to that of leucoplasts. The number of isoforms of GSTs also differed markedly in vacuoles and plastids. Collectively, our findings suggest the idea that the glutathione accumulated by central vacuole seems to contribute to the redox processes and to the detoxification, which can take place in this compartment.

Thiol redox-regulation for efficient adjustment of sulfur metabolism in acclimation to abiotic stress

Sulfur assimilation and sulfur metabolism are tightly controlled at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels in order to meet the demand for reduced sulfur in growth and metabolism. These regulatory mechanisms coordinate the cellular sulfhydryl supply with carbon and nitrogen assimilation in particular. Redox homeostasis is an important cellular parameter intimately connected to sulfur by means of multiple thiol modifications. Post-translational thiol modifications such as disulfide formation, sulfenylation, S-nitrosylation, persulfidation, and S-glutathionylation allow for versatile switching and adjustment of protein functions. This review focuses on redox-regulation of enzymes involved in the sulfur assimilation pathway, namely adenosine 5´-phosphosulfate reductase (APR), adenosine 5´-phosphosulfate kinase (APSK), and γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCL). The activity of these enzymes is adjusted at the transcriptional and post-translational level depending on physiological requirements and the state of the redox and reactive oxygen species network, which are tightly linked to abiotic stress conditions. Hormone-dependent fine-tuning contributes to regulation of sulfur assimilation. Thus, the link between oxylipin signalling and sulfur assimilation has been substantiated by identification of the so-called COPS module in the chloroplast with its components cyclophilin 20-3, O-acetylserine thiol lyase, 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin, and serine acetyl transferase. We now have a detailed understanding of how regulation enables the fine-tuning of sulfur assimilation under both normal and abiotic stress conditions.

Acquiring control: The evolution of ROS-Induced oxidative stress and redox signaling pathways in plant stress responses

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) - the byproducts of aerobic metabolism - influence numerous aspects of the plant life cycle and environmental response mechanisms. In plants, ROS act like a double-edged sword; they play multiple beneficial roles at low concentrations, whereas at high concentrations ROS and related redox-active compounds cause cellular damage through oxidative stress. To examine the dual role of ROS as harmful oxidants and/or crucial cellular signals, this review elaborates that (i) how plants sense and respond to ROS in various subcellular organelles and (ii) the dynamics of subsequent ROS-induced signaling processes. The recent understanding of crosstalk between various cellular compartments in mediating their redox state spatially and temporally is discussed. Emphasis on the beneficial effects of ROS in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis, regulating diverse cellular functions, and activating acclimation responses in plants exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses are described. The comprehensive view of cellular ROS dynamics covering the breadth and versatility of ROS will contribute to understanding the complexity of apparently contradictory ROS roles in plant physiological responses in less than optimum environments.

Accumulation and toxicological effects of nonylphenol in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) plants

Nonylphenol (NP) is one of the most worrisome and ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptors. The tomato is one of the most important agricultural plants in the world. However, little is known about the toxicological effects of NP on tomato crops or the accommodative responses of tomato plants to NP stress. Thus, in this study, relevant tests were performed using pot experiments, and they indicated that when the NP concentration in the soil was elevated from 25 mg kg-1 to 400 mg kg-1, NP was progressively accumulated by the tomato plants. The NP induced growth inhibition and a declined in the total chlorophyll content, and it aggravated membrane lipid peroxidation in tomato plants. When confronted with NP stress, the tomato plants correspondingly induced their antioxidant enzymes via both molecular and protein pathways to relieve the NP-induced oxidative stress. All the above results would be illuminating for developing strategies to address NP-induced damage to agricultural output, food quality and public health.

Analyzing the Function of Catalase and the Ascorbate-Glutathione Pathway in H2O2 Processing: Insights from an Experimentally Constrained Kinetic Model

SIGNIFICANCE

Plant stress involves redox signaling linked to reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which can be generated at high rates in photosynthetic cells. The systems that process H₂O₂ include catalase (CAT) and the ascorbate-glutathione pathway, but interactions between them remain unclear. Modeling can aid interpretation and pinpoint areas for investigation. Recent Advances: Based on emerging data and concepts, we introduce a new experimentally constrained kinetic model to analyze interactions between H₂O₂, CAT, ascorbate, glutathione, and NADPH. The sensitivity points required for accurate simulation of experimental observations are analyzed, and the implications for H₂O₂-linked redox signaling are discussed.

CRITICAL ISSUES

We discuss several implications of the modeled results, in particular the following. (i) CAT and ascorbate peroxidase can share the load in H₂O₂ processing even in optimal conditions. (ii) Intracellular H₂O₂ concentrations more than the low μM range may rarely occur. (iii) Ascorbate redox turnover is largely independent of glutathione until ascorbate peroxidation exceeds a certain value. (iv) NADPH availability may determine glutathione redox status through its influence on monodehydroascorbate reduction. (v) The sensitivity of glutathione status to oxidative stress emphasizes its potential suitability as a sensor of increased H₂O₂.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Important future questions include the roles of other antioxidative systems in interacting with CAT and the ascorbate-glutathione pathway as well as the nature and significance of processes that achieve redox exchange between different subcellular compartments. Progress in these areas is likely to be favored by integrating kinetic modeling analyses into experimentally based programs, allowing each approach to inform the other.

Get the Balance Right: ROS Homeostasis and Redox Signalling in Fruit

Plant central metabolism generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are key regulators that mediate signalling pathways involved in developmental processes and plant responses to environmental fluctuations. These highly reactive metabolites can lead to cellular damage when the reduction-oxidation (redox) homeostasis becomes unbalanced. Whilst decades of research have studied redox homeostasis in leaves, fundamental knowledge in fruit biology is still fragmentary. This is even more surprising when considering the natural profusion of fruit antioxidants that can process ROS and benefit human health. In this review, we explore redox biology in fruit and provide an overview of fruit antioxidants with recent examples. We further examine the central role of the redox hub in signalling during development and stress, with particular emphasis on ascorbate, also referred to as vitamin C. Progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the redox regulations that are linked to central metabolism and stress pathways will help to define novel strategies for optimising fruit nutritional quality, fruit production and storage.

Biochemical responses of the desiccation-tolerant resurrection fern Pleopeltis polypodioides to dehydration and rehydration

The epiphytic fern Pleopeltis polypodioides can tolerate repeated drying and rehydration events without conspicuous damage. To understand the biochemical principles of drought-tolerance, we analyzed the effect of dehydration and rehydration at 25 °C on hydroperoxide and lipid hydroperoxide, the activities of antioxidative (catalase and glutathione-oxidizing) enzymes and evaluated changes in fatty acid composition and saturation levels. Dehydration increased peroxide concentration and the activity of glutathione oxidases, but reduced catalase activity. During dehydration, the biosynthesis of palmitic (C16:0), linoleic (C18:2), linolenic (C18:3) and stearic acid (C18:0) increased 18, 12, 20, and 8-fold, respectively. In contrast, rehydration lowered levels of peroxides, the activity of glutathione-oxidizing enzymes, and fatty acids but increased catalase activity. The coordinated changes during de- and rehydration suggest that lipids and oxidative and antioxidative enzymes are components of the drought-resistance system.

Exogenous glutathione enhances cadmium accumulation and alleviates its toxicity in Populus × canescens

Glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in cadmium (Cd) tolerance in woody plants, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To elucidate the physiological and transcriptional regulation mechanisms of GSH-mediated Cd tolerance in woody plants, we exposed Populus × canescens (Ait.) Smith saplings to either 0 or 75 μM Cd together with one of three external GSH levels. Glutathione treatments include buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis), no external GSH and exogenous GSH. External GSH resulted in higher Cd2+ uptake rate in the roots, greater Cd amount in poplars, lower Cd-induced H2O2 levels in the roots, and higher contents of endogenous GSH in Cd-treated roots and leaves. Furthermore, external GSH led to upregulated transcript levels of several genes including zinc/iron regulated transporter related protein 6.2 (ZIP6.2) and natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1.3 (NRAMP1.3), which probably take part in Cd uptake, glutathione synthetase 2 (GS2) implicated in Cd detoxification, metal tolerance protein 1 (MTP1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter C3 (ABCC3) involved in Cd vacuolar accumulation in the roots, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS) and phytochelatin synthetase family protein 1 (PCS1) involved in Cd detoxification, and oligopeptide transporter 7 (OPT7) probably implicated in Cd detoxification in the leaves of Cd-exposed P. × canescens. In contrast, BSO often displayed the opposite effects on Cd-triggered physiological and transcriptional regulation responses in poplars. These results suggest that exogenous GSH can enhance Cd accumulation and alleviate its toxicity in poplars. This is probably attributed to external-GSH-induced higher net Cd2+ influx in the roots, greater Cd accumulation in aerial parts, stronger scavenging of reactive oxygen species, and transcriptional overexpression of several genes involved in Cd uptake, detoxification and accumulation.

Acrolein-detoxifying isozymes of glutathione transferase in plants

Acrolein is a lipid-derived highly reactive aldehyde, mediating oxidative signal and damage in plants. We found acrolein-scavenging glutathione transferase activity in plants and purified a low K _M isozyme from spinach. Various environmental stressors on plants cause the generation of acrolein, a highly toxic aldehyde produced from lipid peroxides, via the promotion of the formation of reactive oxygen species, which oxidize membrane lipids. In mammals, acrolein is scavenged by glutathione transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) isozymes of Alpha, Pi, and Mu classes, but plants lack these GST classes. We detected the acrolein-scavenging GST activity in four species of plants, and purified an isozyme showing this activity from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves. The isozyme (GST-Acr), obtained after an affinity chromatography and two ion exchange chromatography steps, showed the K _M value for acrolein 93 μM, the smallest value known for acrolein-detoxifying enzymes in plants. Peptide sequence homology search revealed that GST-Acr belongs to the GST Tau, a plant-specific class. The Arabidopsis thaliana GST Tau19, which has the closest sequence similar to spinach GST-Acr, also showed a high catalytic efficiency for acrolein. These results suggest that GST plays as a scavenger for acrolein in plants.

Drought Impact Is Alleviated in Sugar Beets (Beta vulgaris L.) by Foliar Application of Fullerenol Nanoparticles

Over the past few years, significant efforts have been made to decrease the effects of drought stress on plant productivity and quality. We propose that fullerenol nanoparticles (FNPs, molecular formula C60(OH)24) may help alleviate drought stress by serving as an additional intercellular water supply. Specifically, FNPs are able to penetrate plant leaf and root tissues, where they bind water in various cell compartments. This hydroscopic activity suggests that FNPs could be beneficial in plants. The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of FNPs on sugar beet plants exposed to drought stress. Our results indicate that intracellular water metabolism can be modified by foliar application of FNPs in drought exposed plants. Drought stress induced a significant increase in the compatible osmolyte proline in both the leaves and roots of control plants, but not in FNP treated plants. These results indicate that FNPs could act as intracellular binders of water, creating an additional water reserve, and enabling adaptation to drought stress. Moreover, analysis of plant antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, APx and GPx), MDA and GSH content indicate that fullerenol foliar application could have some beneficial effect on alleviating oxidative effects of drought stress, depending on the concentration of nanoparticles applied. Although further studies are necessary to elucidate the biochemical impact of FNPs on plants; the present results could directly impact agricultural practice, where available water supplies are often a limiting factor in plant bioproductivity.

Antioxidative response in variegated Pelargonium zonale leaves and generation of extracellular H2O2 in (peri)vascular tissue induced by sunlight and paraquat

In this study we exposed variegated leaves of Pelargonium zonale to strong sunlight (>1100μmolm^-2s^-1 of photosynthetically active radiation) with and without paraquat (Pq), with the aim to elucidate the mechanisms of H₂O₂ regulation in green and white tissues with respect to the photosynthetically-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sunlight induced marked accumulation of H₂O₂ in the apoplast of vascular and (peri)vascular tissues only in green sectors. This effect was enhanced by the addition of Pq. In the presence of diphenyl iodide, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, H₂O₂ accumulation was abolished. Distinct light-induced responses were observed: in photosynthetic cells, sunlight rapidly provoked ascorbate (Asc) biosynthesis and an increase of glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase activities, while in non-photosynthetic cells, early up-regulation of soluble ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and GR activities was observed. Paraquat addition stimulated DHAR and GR activities in green sectors, while in white sectors activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR and class III peroxidases, as well as Asc content rapidly increased. Differential antioxidative responses in the two tissues in the frame of their contrasting metabolisms, and the possible role of (peri)vascular H₂O₂ in signaling were discussed.

Organelle redox autonomy during environmental stress

Oxidative stress is generated in plants because of inequalities in the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging. The subcellular redox state under various stress conditions was assessed using the redox reporter roGFP2 targeted to chloroplastic, mitochondrial, peroxisomal and cytosolic compartments. In parallel, the vitality of the plant was measured by ion leakage. Our results revealed that during certain physiological stress conditions the changes in roGFP2 oxidation are comparable to application of high concentrations of exogenous H2 O2 . Under each stress, particular organelles were affected. Conditions of extended dark stress, or application of elicitor, impacted chiefly on the status of peroxisomal redox state. In contrast, conditions of drought or high light altered the status of mitochondrial or chloroplast redox state, respectively. Amalgamation of the results from diverse environmental stresses shows cases of organelle autonomy as well as multi-organelle oxidative change. Importantly, organelle-specific oxidation under several stresses proceeded cell death as measured by ion leakage, suggesting early roGFP oxidation as predictive of cell death. The measurement of redox state in multiple compartments enables one to look at redox state connectivity between organelles in relation to oxidative stress as well as assign a redox fingerprint to various types of stress conditions.

Silenced rice in both cytosolic ascorbate peroxidases displays pre-acclimation to cope with oxidative stress induced by 3-aminotriazole-inhibited catalase

The maintenance of H2O2 homeostasis and signaling mechanisms in plant subcellular compartments is greatly dependent on cytosolic ascorbate peroxidases (APX1 and APX2) and peroxisomal catalase (CAT) activities. APX1/2 knockdown plants were utilized in this study to clarify the role of increased cytosolic H2O2 levels as a signal to trigger the antioxidant defense system against oxidative stress generated in peroxisomes after 3-aminotriazole-inhibited catalase (CAT). Before supplying 3-AT, silenced APX1/2 plants showed marked changes in their oxidative and antioxidant profiles in comparison to NT plants. After supplying 3-AT, APX1/2 plants triggered up-expression of genes belonging to APX (OsAPX7 and OsAPX8) and GPX families (OsGPX1, OsGPX2, OsGPX3 and OsGPX5), but to a lower extent than in NT plants. In addition, APX1/2 exhibited lower glycolate oxidase (GO) activity, higher CO2 assimilation, higher cellular integrity and higher oxidation of GSH, whereas the H2O2 and lipid peroxidation levels remained unchanged. This evidence indicates that redox pre-acclimation displayed by silenced rice contributed to coping with oxidative stress generated by 3-AT. We suggest that APX1/2 plants were able to trigger alternative oxidative and antioxidant mechanisms involving signaling by H2O2, allowing these plants to display effective physiological responses for protection against oxidative damage generated by 3-AT, compared to non-transformed plants.

Characterisation of antioxidants in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic leaf tissues of variegated Pelargonium zonale plants

Hydrogen peroxide is an important signalling molecule, involved in regulation of numerous metabolic processes in plants. The most important sources of H2 O2 in photosynthetically active cells are chloroplasts and peroxisomes. Here we employed variegated Pelargonium zonale to characterise and compare enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidative system in autotrophic and heterotrophic leaf tissues at (sub)cellular level under optimal growth conditions. The results revealed that both leaf tissues had specific strategies to regulate H2 O2 levels. In photosynthetic cells, the redox regulatory system was based on ascorbate, and on the activities of thylakoid-bound ascorbate peroxidase (tAPX) and catalase. In this leaf tissue, ascorbate was predominantly localised in the nucleus, peroxisomes, plastids and mitochondria. On the other hand, non-photosynthetic cells contained higher glutathione content, mostly located in mitochondria. The enzymatic antioxidative system in non-photosynthetic cells relied on the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and both Mn and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Interestingly, higher content of ascorbate and glutathione, and higher activities of APX in the cytosol of non-photosynthetic leaf cells compared to the photosynthetic ones, suggest the importance of this compartment in H2 O2 regulation. Together, these results imply different regulation of processes linked with H2 O2 signalling at subcellular level. Thus, we propose green-white variegated leaves as an excellent system for examination of redox signal transduction and redox communication between two cell types, autotrophic and heterotrophic, within the same organ.

Oxidative stress and antioxidative systems: recipes for successful data collection and interpretation

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are common to many fundamental responses of plants. Enormous and ever-growing interest has focused on this research area, leading to an extensive literature that documents the tremendous progress made in recent years. As in other areas of plant biology, advances have been greatly facilitated by developments in genomics-dependent technologies and the application of interdisciplinary techniques that generate information at multiple levels. At the same time, advances in understanding ROS are fundamentally reliant on the use of biochemical and cell biology techniques that are specific to the study of oxidative stress. It is therefore timely to revisit these approaches with the aim of providing a guide to convenient methods and assisting interested researchers in avoiding potential pitfalls. Our critical overview of currently popular methodologies includes a detailed discussion of approaches used to generate oxidative stress, measurements of ROS themselves, determination of major antioxidant metabolites, assays of antioxidative enzymes and marker transcripts for oxidative stress. We consider the applicability of metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics approaches and discuss markers such as damage to DNA and RNA. Our discussion of current methodologies is firmly anchored to future technological developments within this popular research field.

Stress-triggered redox signalling: what's in pROSpect?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a profound influence on almost every aspect of plant biology. Here, we emphasize the fundamental, intimate relationships between light-driven reductant formation, ROS, and oxidative stress, together with compartment-specific differences in redox buffering and the perspectives for their analysis. Calculations of approximate H2 O2 concentrations in the peroxisomes are provided, and based on the likely values in other locations such as chloroplasts, we conclude that much of the H2 O2 detected in conventional in vitro assays is likely to be extracellular. Within the context of scant information on ROS perception mechanisms, we consider current knowledge, including possible parallels with emerging information on oxygen sensing. Although ROS can sometimes be signals for cell death, we consider that an equally important role is to transmit information from metabolism to allow appropriate cellular responses to developmental and environmental changes. Our discussion speculates on novel sensing mechanisms by which this could happen and how ROS could be counted by the cell, possibly as a means of monitoring metabolic flux. Throughout, we place emphasis on the positive effects of ROS, predicting that in the coming decades they will increasingly be defined as hallmarks of viability within a changing and challenging environment.

Oxidative metabolism is associated with physiological disorders in fruits stored under multiple environmental stresses

In combination with low temperature, controlled atmosphere storage and 1-methylcyclopropene (ethylene antagonist) application are used to delay senescence of many fruits and vegetables. Controlled atmosphere consists of low O2 and elevated CO2. When sub-optimal partial pressures are used, these practices represent multiple abiotic stresses that can promote the development of physiological disorders in pome fruit, including flesh browning and cavities, although there is some evidence for genetic differences in susceptibility. In the absence of surface disorders, fruit with flesh injuries are not easily distinguished from asymptomatic fruit until these are consumed. Oxidative stress metabolites tend to accumulate (e.g., γ-aminobutyrate) or rapidly decline (e.g., ascorbate and glutathione) in vegetative tissues exposed to hypoxic and/or elevated CO2 environments. Moreover, these phenomena can be associated with altered energy and redox status. Biochemical investigations of Arabidopsis and tomato plants with genetically-altered levels of enzymes associated with the γ-aminobutyrate shunt and the ascorbate-glutathione pathway indicate that these metabolic processes are functionally related and critical for dampening the oxidative burst in vegetative and fruit tissues, respectively. Here, we hypothesize that γ-aminobutyrate accumulation, as well energy and antioxidant depletion are associated with the development of physiological injury in pome fruit under multiple environmental stresses. An improved understanding of this relationship could assist in maintaining the quality of stored fruit.

Decreased glutathione reductase2 leads to early leaf senescence in Arabidopsis

Glutathione reductase (GR) catalyzes the reduction of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) and participates in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, which scavenges H2 O2 . Here, we report that chloroplastic/mitochondrial GR2 is an important regulator of leaf senescence. Seed development of the homozygous gr2 knockout mutant was blocked at the globular stage. Therefore, to investigate the function of GR2 in leaf senescence, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants with decreased GR2 using RNAi. The GR2 RNAi plants displayed early onset of age-dependent and dark- and H2 O2 -induced leaf senescence, which was accompanied by the induction of the senescence-related marker genes SAG12 and SAG13. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that genes related to leaf senescence, oxidative stress, and phytohormone pathways were upregulated directly before senescence in RNAi plants. In addition, H2 O2 accumulated to higher levels in RNAi plants than in wild-type plants and the levels of H2 O2 peaked in RNAi plants directly before the early onset of leaf senescence. RNAi plants showed a greater decrease in GSH/GSSG levels than wild-type plants during leaf development. Our results suggest that GR2 plays an important role in leaf senescence by modulating H2 O2 and glutathione signaling in Arabidopsis.

Glutathione--linking cell proliferation to oxidative stress

SIGNIFICANCE

The multifaceted functions of reduced glutathione (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) continue to fascinate plants and animal scientists, not least because of the dynamic relationships between GSH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that underpin reduction/oxidation (redox) regulation and signalling. Here we consider the respective roles of ROS and GSH in the regulation of plant growth, with a particular focus on regulation of the plant cell cycle. Glutathione is discussed not only as a crucial low molecular weight redox buffer that shields nuclear processes against oxidative challenge but also a flexible regulator of genetic and epigenetic functions.

RECENT ADVANCES

The intracellular compartmentalization of GSH during the cell cycle is remarkably consistent in plants and animals. Moreover, measurements of in vivo glutathione redox potentials reveal that the cellular environment is much more reducing than predicted from GSH/GSSG ratios measured in tissue extracts. The redox potential of the cytosol and nuclei of non-dividing plant cells is about -300 mV. This relatively low redox potential maintained even in cells experiencing oxidative stress by a number of mechanisms including vacuolar sequestration of GSSG. We propose that regulated ROS production linked to glutathione-mediated signalling events are the hallmark of viable cells within a changing and challenging environment.

CRITICAL ISSUES

The concept that the cell cycle in animals is subject to redox controls is well established but little is known about how ROS and GSH regulate this process in plants. However, it is increasingly likely that redox controls exist in plants, although possibly through different pathways. Moreover, redox-regulated proteins that function in cell cycle checkpoints remain to be identified in plants. While GSH-responsive genes have now been identified, the mechanisms that mediate and regulate protein glutathionylation in plants remain poorly defined.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The nuclear GSH pool provides an appropriate redox environment for essential nuclear functions. Future work will focus on how this essential thiol interacts with the nuclear thioredoxin system and nitric oxide to regulate genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. The characterization of redox-regulated cell cycle proteins in plants, and the elucidation of mechanisms that facilitate GSH accumulation in the nucleus are keep steps to unravelling the complexities of nuclear redox controls.

Time dependent uptake, bioaccumulation and biotransformation of cell free crude extract microcystins from Lake Amatitlán, Guatemala by Ceratophyllum demersum, Egeria densa and Hydrilla verticillata

Recent studies evidence that macrophytes can uptake and bioaccumulate microcystins (MC) from contaminated environments, suggesting their use in phytoremediation. In the present study Ceratophyllum demersum, Egeria densa and Hydrilla verticillata were exposed to cell free crude extracts (CE) containing three MC congeners MC-LR, MC-RR and MC-YR at a total MC concentration of 104.4 ± 7.6 μg/L from Lake Amatitlán, Guatemala. Time dependent total glutathione (tGSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), disappearance of MC from exposure medium and macrophyte uptake as well as calculated uptake and biotransformation rates and bioconcentration factors (BCF) were monitored after 1, 4, 8 hours (h) and 1, 3, 7 and 14 days (d). Results showed that tGSH concentrations in all exposed macrophytes were enhanced by CE. Disappearance of 62.1 ± 13, 40.8 ± 3.1 and 37.8 ± 3.5 μg/L total MCs from exposure mediums with E. densa, H. verticillata and C. demersum were observed after 1 h. Followed by the total elimination of MCs in exposure medium from H. verticillata after 14 d. Highest MC bioaccumulation capacity (BCF), was observed in E. densa followed by C. demersum and H. verticillata. The here presented results imply the strong MC phytoremediation potential of the evaluated macrophytes.

Potato Annexin STANN1 Promotes Drought Tolerance and Mitigates Light Stress in Transgenic Solanum tuberosum L. Plants

Annexins are a family of calcium- and membrane-binding proteins that are important for plant tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. Annexins function to counteract oxidative stress, maintain cell redox homeostasis, and enhance drought tolerance. In the present study, an endogenous annexin, STANN1, was overexpressed to determine whether crop yields could be improved in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) during drought. Nine potential potato annexins were identified and their expression characterized in response to drought treatment. STANN1 mRNA was constitutively expressed at a high level and drought treatment strongly increased transcription levels. Therefore, STANN1 was selected for overexpression analysis. Under drought conditions, transgenic potato plants ectopically expressing STANN1 were more tolerant to water deficit in the root zone, preserved more water in green tissues, maintained chloroplast functions, and had higher accumulation of chlorophyll b and xanthophylls (especially zeaxanthin) than wild type (WT). Drought-induced reductions in the maximum efficiency and the electron transport rate of photosystem II (PSII), as well as the quantum yield of photosynthesis, were less pronounced in transgenic plants overexpressing STANN1 than in the WT. This conferred more efficient non-photochemical energy dissipation in the outer antennae of PSII and probably more efficient protection of reaction centers against photooxidative damage in transgenic plants under drought conditions. Consequently, these plants were able to maintain effective photosynthesis during drought, which resulted in greater productivity than WT plants despite water scarcity. Although the mechanisms underlying this stress protection are not yet clear, annexin-mediated photoprotection is probably linked to protection against light-induced oxidative stress.

Average oxidation state of carbon in proteins

The formal oxidation state of carbon atoms in organic molecules depends on the covalent structure. In proteins, the average oxidation state of carbon (Z(C)) can be calculated as an elemental ratio from the chemical formula. To investigate oxidation-reduction (redox) patterns, groups of proteins from different subcellular locations and phylogenetic groups were selected for comparison. Extracellular proteins of yeast have a relatively high oxidation state of carbon, corresponding with oxidizing conditions outside of the cell. However, an inverse relationship between Z(C) and redox potential occurs between the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm. This trend provides support for the hypothesis that protein transport and turnover are ultimately coupled to the maintenance of different glutathione redox potentials in subcellular compartments. There are broad changes in Z(C) in whole-genome protein compositions in microbes from different environments, and in Rubisco homologues, lower Z(C) tends to occur in organisms with higher optimal growth temperature. Energetic costs calculated from thermodynamic models are consistent with the notion that thermophilic organisms exhibit molecular adaptation to not only high temperature but also the reducing nature of many hydrothermal fluids. Further characterization of the material requirements of protein metabolism in terms of the chemical conditions of cells and environments may help to reveal other linkages among biochemical processes with implications for changes on evolutionary time scales.

Contribution of glutathione to the control of cellular redox homeostasis under toxic metal and metalloid stress

The accumulation of toxic metals and metalloids, such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), or arsenic (As), as a consequence of various anthropogenic activities, poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The ability of plants to take up mineral nutrients from the soil can be exploited to develop phytoremediation technologies able to alleviate the negative impact of toxic elements in terrestrial ecosystems. However, we must select plant species or populations capable of tolerating exposure to hazardous elements. The tolerance of plant cells to toxic elements is highly dependent on glutathione (GSH) metabolism. GSH is a biothiol tripeptide that plays a fundamental dual role: first, as an antioxidant to mitigate the redox imbalance caused by toxic metal(loid) accumulation, and second as a precursor of phytochelatins (PCs), ligand peptides that limit the free ion cellular concentration of those pollutants. The sulphur assimilation pathway, synthesis of GSH, and production of PCs are tightly regulated in order to alleviate the phytotoxicity of different hazardous elements, which might induce specific stress signatures. This review provides an update on mechanisms of tolerance that depend on biothiols in plant cells exposed to toxic elements, with a particular emphasis on the Hg-triggered responses, and considering the contribution of hormones to their regulation.

The metabolomics of oxidative stress

Oxidative stress resulting from increased availability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key component of many responses of plants to challenging environmental conditions. The consequences for plant metabolism are complex and manifold. We review data on small compounds involved in oxidative stress, including ROS themselves and antioxidants and redox buffers in the membrane and soluble phases, and we discuss the wider consequences for plant primary and secondary metabolism. While metabolomics has been exploited in many studies on stress, there have been relatively few non-targeted studies focused on how metabolite signatures respond specifically to oxidative stress. As part of the discussion, we present results and reanalyze published datasets on metabolite profiles in catalase-deficient plants, which can be considered to be model oxidative stress systems. We emphasize the roles of ROS-triggered changes in metabolites as potential oxidative signals, and discuss responses that might be useful as markers for oxidative stress. Particular attention is paid to lipid-derived compounds, the status of antioxidants and antioxidant breakdown products, altered metabolism of amino acids, and the roles of phytohormone pathways.

Integrated metabolomics for abiotic stress responses in plants

Plants are considered to biosynthesize specialized (traditionally called secondary) metabolites to adapt to environmental stresses such as biotic and abiotic stresses. The majority of specialized metabolites induced by abiotic stress characteristically exhibit antioxidative activity in vitro, but their function in vivo is largely yet to be experimentally confirmed. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the identification of the role of abiotic stress-responsive specialized metabolites with an emphasis on flavonoids. Integrated 'omics' analysis, centered on metabolomics with a series of plant resources differing in their flavonoid accumulation, showed experimentally that flavonoids play a major role in antioxidation in vivo. In addition, the results also suggest the role of flavonoids in the vacuole. To obtain more in-depth insights, chemical and biological challenges need to be addressed for the identification of unknown specialized metabolites and their in vivo functions.

Peroxisomal APX knockdown triggers antioxidant mechanisms favourable for coping with high photorespiratory H2 O2 induced by CAT deficiency in rice

The physiological role of peroxisomal ascorbate peroxidases (pAPX) is unknown; therefore, we utilized pAPX4 knockdown rice and catalase (CAT) inhibition to assess its role in CAT compensation under high photorespiration. pAPX4 knockdown induced co-suppression in the expression of pAPX3. The rice mutants exhibited metabolic changes such as lower CAT and glycolate oxidase (GO) activities and reduced glyoxylate content; however, APX activity was not altered. CAT inhibition triggered different changes in the expression of CAT, APX and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) isoforms between non-transformed (NT) and silenced plants. These responses were associated with alterations in APX, GPX and GO activities, suggesting redox homeostasis differences. The glutathione oxidation-reduction states were modulated differently in mutants, and the ascorbate redox state was greatly affected in both genotypes. The pAPX suffered less oxidative stress and photosystem II (PSII) damage and displayed higher photosynthesis than the NT plants. The improved acclimation exhibited by the pAPX plants was indicated by lower H2 O2 accumulation, which was associated with lower GO activity and glyoxylate content. The suppression of both pAPXs and/or its downstream metabolic and molecular effects may trigger favourable antioxidant and compensatory mechanisms to cope with CAT deficiency. This physiological acclimation may involve signalling by peroxisomal H2 O2 , which minimized the photorespiration.

Essentiality of nickel in plants: a role in plant stresses

The element Ni is considered an essential plant micronutrient because it acts as an activator of the enzyme urease. Recent studies have shown that Ni may activate an isoform of glyoxalase I, which performs an important step in the degradation of methylglyoxal (MG), a potent cytotoxic compound naturally produced by cellular metabolism. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is consumed and regenerated in the process of detoxification of MG, which is produced during stress (stress-induced production). We examine the role of Ni in the relationship between the MG cycle and GSH homeostasis and suggest that Ni may have a key participation in plant antioxidant metabolism, especially in stressful situations.

Compartment-specific importance of glutathione during abiotic and biotic stress

The tripeptide thiol glutathione (γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) is the most important sulfur containing antioxidant in plants and essential for plant defense against abiotic and biotic stress conditions. It is involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), redox signaling, the modulation of defense gene expression, and the regulation of enzymatic activities. Even though changes in glutathione contents are well documented in plants and its roles in plant defense are well established, still too little is known about its compartment-specific importance during abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Due to technical advances in the visualization of glutathione and the redox state through microscopical methods some progress was made in the last few years in studying the importance of subcellular glutathione contents during stress conditions in plants. This review summarizes the data available on compartment-specific importance of glutathione in the protection against abiotic and biotic stress conditions such as high light stress, exposure to cadmium, drought, and pathogen attack (Pseudomonas, Botrytis, tobacco mosaic virus). The data will be discussed in connection with the subcellular accumulation of ROS during these conditions and glutathione synthesis which are both highly compartment specific (e.g., glutathione synthesis takes place in chloroplasts and the cytosol). Thus this review will reveal the compartment-specific importance of glutathione during abiotic and biotic stress conditions.