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

The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Plant Response to Radiation

Radiation is widespread in nature, including ultraviolet radiation from the sun, cosmic radiation and radiation emitted by natural radionuclides. Over the years, the increasing industrialization of human beings has brought about more radiation, such as enhanced UV-B radiation due to ground ozone decay, and the emission and contamination of nuclear waste due to the increasing nuclear power plants and radioactive material industry. With additional radiation reaching plants, both negative effects including damage to cell membranes, reduction of photosynthetic rate and premature aging and benefits such as growth promotion and stress resistance enhancement have been observed. ROS (Reactive oxygen species) are reactive oxidants in plant cells, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anions (O2•-) and hydroxide anion radicals (·OH), which may stimulate the antioxidant system of plants and act as signaling molecules to regulate downstream reactions. A number of studies have observed the change of ROS in plant cells under radiation, and new technology such as RNA-seq has molecularly revealed the regulation of radiative biological effects by ROS. This review summarized recent progress on the role of ROS in plant response to radiations including UV, ion beam and plasma, and may help to reveal the mechanisms of plant responses to radiation.

Sodium Nitroprusside Improves Bamboo Resistance under Mn and Cr Toxicity with Stimulation of Antioxidants Activity, Relative Water Content, and Metal Translocation and Accumulation

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a single minuscule signaling molecule, has been employed to alleviate plant stress in recent years. This approach has a beneficial effect on the biological and physiological processes of plants. As a result, an in vitro tissue culture experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of high and low levels of SNP on the amelioration of manganese (Mn) and chromium (Cr) toxicity in a one-year-old bamboo plant, namely Pleioblastus pygmaea L. Five different concentrations of SNP were utilized as a nitric oxide (NO) donor (0, 50, 80, 150, 250, and 400 µM) in four replications of 150 µM Mn and 150 µM Cr. The results revealed that while 150 µM Mn and 150 µM Cr induced an over-generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compounds, enhancing plant membrane injury, electrolyte leakage (EL), and oxidation in bamboo species, the varying levels of SNP significantly increased antioxidant and non-antioxidant activities, proline (Pro), glutathione (GSH), and glycine betaine (GB) content, photosynthesis, and plant growth parameters, while also reducing heavy metal accumulation and translocation in the shoot and stem. This resulted in an increase in the plant's tolerance to Mn and Cr toxicity. Hence, it is inferred that NO-induced mechanisms boosted plant resistance to toxicity by increasing antioxidant capacity, inhibiting heavy metal accumulation in the aerial part of the plant, restricting heavy metal translocation from root to leaves, and enhancing the relative water content of leaves.

UVA and UVB Radiation as Innovative Tools to Biofortify Horticultural Crops with Nutraceuticals

The consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to the prevention and treatment of chronic–degenerative diseases due to the presence of secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical activity. Most of these secondary metabolites, also known as nutraceuticals, are present in low concentrations in the plant tissue. Therefore, to improve the health benefits of horticultural crops, it is necessary to increase their nutraceutical content before reaching consumers. Applying ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to fruits and vegetables has been a simple and effective technology to biofortify plant tissue with secondary metabolites. This review article describes the physiological and molecular basis of stress response in plants. Likewise, current literature on the mechanisms and effects of UVA and UVB radiation on the accumulation of different bioactive phytochemicals are reviewed. The literature shows that UVR is an effective tool to biofortify horticultural crops to enhance their nutraceutical content.

Magneto-priming promotes nitric oxide via nitric oxide synthase to ameliorate the UV-B stress during germination of soybean seedlings

We have evaluated the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) in static magnetic field (SMF-200 mT for 1h) induced tolerance towards UV-B stress in soybean seedlings using various NO modulators like sodium nitroprusside (SNP), inhibitor of nitrate reductase (NR) sodium tungstate (ST), NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and diphenylene iodonium (DPI) a NADPH oxidase inhibitor. The UV-B exposure significantly reduced germination, seedling growth together with activities of total amylase, NOS and NR in seedlings from un-primed seeds whereas SMF-primed seedlings showed significant enhancement in all these parameters along with higher level of NO/ROS. The supply of NO donor, SNP further improved all the seedlings parameters in un-primed and SMF-primed seeds after UV-B exposure. While ST, L-NAME and DPI significantly reduced the SMF-induced seedling performance after UV-B exposure. The gene expression study also showed significant up-regulation of α-amylase (GmAMY1, GmAMY2), nitric oxide synthase (GmNOS2) and nitrate reductase (GmNR2) encoding genes in UV-B exposed SMF-primed seedlings over un-primed seedlings. In particular, SNP+UV-B treatment enhanced the GmNOS2 expression in both unprimed (31.9-fold) and SMF-primed (93.2-fold) seedlings in comparison to their respective controls of CK+UV-B. In contrast, L-NAME+UV-B treatment reduced the SMF-induced GmNOS2 expression (4.8-fold) and NOS activity (76%). It confirmed that NO may be the key signaling molecule in SMF stimulated tolerance towards UV-B stress during early seedling growth and NOS may possibly be accountable for SMF-triggered NO production in soybean seedlings exposed to UV-B irradiations.

Improvement of Phenylpropanoid Production with Elicitor Treatments in Pimpinella brachycarpa Nakai

Pimpinella brachycarpa Nakai, known as cham-na-mul in Korea, is a popular edible herb and vegetable. Phenolic compounds are recognized as a vital group of plant secondary metabolites that provide innumerable, valuable therapeutic properties. Elicitors are biofactors or chemicals from diverse sources that can trigger morphological and physiological responses in the target organism. This study examined the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and chitosan treatment on the accretion of phenolic compounds in P. brachycarpa Nakai. This plant was harvested under different concentration of elicitor treatment for time course. Eight phenolic compounds including were detected in response to elicitor using HPLC. While the untreated controls showed the lowest phenolic content, treatment with 0.3% chitosan, 0.1 mM SA, and 0.1 mM MeJA resulted in 1.43-, 1.39-, and 1.35-fold increase in the phenolic content, respectively. The highest content of most of the individual phenolic compounds followed a similar trend according to treatment type, with chitosan treatment showing the highest content, followed by SA and then MeJA treatments. Thus, we demonstrate that the treatment with optimal concentrations of these elicitors for an optimal period of time increases the production of phenolic compounds in P. brachycarpa Nakai.

Nitric oxide: A radical molecule with potential biotechnological applications in fruit ripening

Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-life and free radical molecule involved in a wide range of cellular, physiological and stressful processes in higher plants. In recent years it has been observed that exogenous NO application can palliate adverse damages against abiotic and biotic stresses. Conversely, there is accumulating information indicating that endogenous NO participates significantly in the mechanism of modulation of the ripening in climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. Even more, when NO is exogenously applied, it can mediate beneficial effects during ripening and postharvest storage being one of the main effects the increase of antioxidant systems. Consequently, NO could be a promising biotechnological tool to improve crops through ameliorating nutritional indexes and to alleviate damages during fruit ripening and postharvest management. Thus, this approach should be complementary to previous strategies to allow preserving the quality and healthiness of fruits with a view of enhancing their added value. The present mini-review aims to provide an overview of NO biochemistry in plants and updated information on the relevance of NO in fruit ripening and postharvest stages with a view to its biotechnological applications.

Role of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in static magnetic field pre-treatment induced tolerance to ambient UV-B stress in soybean

The experiments were conducted for the estimation of the mitigating effect of the static magnetic field (SMF of 200 mT for 1 h) treatment on soybean under ambient UV-B stress. The SMF treated (MT) and untreated (UT) seeds were grown inside iron cages covered with polyester filters for the purpose to filter UV-A + B (< 400 nm) and UV-B (< 300 nm) radiations, polythene filter control (FC) transparent for UV (280-400 nm), and open controls (OC) were without any filters. Our results indicated that specific leaf weight, efficiency of PS II, activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) and nitrogenase (NRA), nucleic acid and protein content, nitric oxide (NO) and yield were significantly decreased in plants of untreated seeds under UV-B stress. SMF treatment to the soybean seeds was observed to mitigate the adverse effect of ambient UV-B with a significant enhancement in above-measured parameters in plants when compared with plants of untreated seeds grown under OC/FC conditions. Chlorophyll a fluorescence transition curve (OJIP-curve) from SMF treated and UV excluded plants has shown a higher fluorescence yield especially for I-P phase as compared to the plants grown in ambient UV-B stress. Reduction in the level of superoxide anion radicle ( O 2 · - ), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline content with a remarkable increase in DNA, RNA, protein and NO content, increased photosynthetic efficiency and nitrogen fixation in the leaves of soybean suggested the ameliorating effect of SMF pre-treatment against ambient UV-B induced damage. Consequently, SMF-pretreatment increased the tolerance of soybean seedlings to ambient UV-B stress as compared to the untreated seeds. The increase in carbon and nitrogen fixation ability due to SMF pre-treatment and the omission of solar UV radiation impact can be a direction for the purpose to improve the crop yield. Evaluation of the consequences of SMF treated seeds under ambient UV-B stress, and the plants from untreated seeds under solar UV exclusion indicated parallelism among the two effects.

Nitric Oxide Improves the Tolerance of Pleurotus ostreatus to Heat Stress by Inhibiting Mitochondrial Aconitase

Heat stress is one of the abiotic stresses that affect the growth and development of edible fungi. Our previous study found that exogenous NO had a protective effect on mycelia under heat stress. However, its regulatory mechanism had not been elucidated. In this study, we found that NO altered the respiratory pathway of mycelia under heat stress by regulating aco. The results have enhanced our understanding of NO signaling pathways in P. ostreatus.

Pleurotus ostreatus is widely cultivated in China. However, its cultivation is strongly affected by seasonal temperature changes, especially the high temperatures of summer. Nitric oxide (NO) was previously reported to alleviate oxidative damage to mycelia by regulating trehalose. In this study, we found that NO alleviated oxidative damage to P. ostreatus mycelia by inhibiting the protein and gene expression of aconitase (ACO), and additional studies found that the overexpression and interference of aco could affect the content of citric acid (CA). Furthermore, the addition of exogenous CA can induce alternative oxidase (aox) gene expression under heat stress, reduce the content of H₂O₂ in mycelium, and consequently protect the mycelia under heat stress. An additional analysis focused on the function of the aox gene in the heat stress response of mycelia. The results show that the colony diameter of the aox overexpression (OE-aox) strains was significantly larger than that of the wild-type (WT) strain under heat stress (32°C). In addition, the mycelia of OE-aox strains showed significantly enhanced tolerance to H₂O₂. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that NO can affect CA accumulation by regulating aco gene and ACO protein expression and that CA can induce aox gene expression and thereby be a response to heat stress.

IMPORTANCE Heat stress is one of the abiotic stresses that affect the growth and development of edible fungi. Our previous study found that exogenous NO had a protective effect on mycelia under heat stress. However, its regulatory mechanism had not been elucidated. In this study, we found that NO altered the respiratory pathway of mycelia under heat stress by regulating aco. The results have enhanced our understanding of NO signaling pathways in P. ostreatus.

The role of nitrite and nitric oxide under low oxygen conditions in plants

Plant tissues, particularly roots, can be subjected to periods of hypoxia due to environmental circumstances. Plants have developed various adaptations in response to hypoxic stress and these have been described extensively. Less well-appreciated is the body of evidence demonstrating that scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) and the reduction of nitrate/nitrite regulate important mechanisms that contribute to tolerance to hypoxia. Although ethylene controls hyponasty and aerenchyma formation, NO production apparently regulates hypoxic ethylene biosynthesis. In the hypoxic mitochondrion, cytochrome c oxidase, which is a major source of NO, also is inhibited by NO, thereby reducing the respiratory rate and enhancing local oxygen concentrations. Nitrite can maintain ATP generation under hypoxia by coupling its reduction to the translocation of protons from the inner side of mitochondria and generating an electrochemical gradient. This reaction can be further coupled to a reaction whereby nonsymbiotic haemoglobin oxidizes NO to nitrate. In addition to these functions, nitrite has been reported to influence mitochondrial structure and supercomplex formation, as well as playing a role in oxygen sensing via the N-end rule pathway. These studies establish that nitrite and NO perform multiple functions during plant hypoxia and suggest that further research into the underlying mechanisms is warranted.

Expression patterns of two pal genes of Pleurotus ostreatus across developmental stages and under heat stress

Background

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.24) is the first key enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway. The pal gene has been widely studied in plants and participates in plant growth, development and defense systems. However, in Pleurotus ostreatus, the biological functions of pal during organismal development and exposure to abiotic stress have not been reported.

Results

In this study, we cloned and characterized the pal1 (2232 bp) and pal2 (2244 bp) genes from the basidiomycete P. ostreatus CCMSSC 00389. The pal1 and pal2 genes are interrupted by 6 and 10 introns, respectively, and encode proteins of 743 and 747 amino acids, respectively. Furthermore, prokaryotic expression experiments showed that PAL enzymes catalyzed the conversion of L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid. The function of pal1 and pal2 was determined by constructing overexpression (OE) and RNA interference (RNAi) strains. The results showed that the two pal genes had similar expression patterns during different developmental stages. The expression of pal genes was higher in the reproductive growth stage than in the vegetative growth stage. And the interference of pal1 and pal2 delayed the formation of primordia. The results of heat stress assays showed that the RNAi-pal1 strains had enhanced mycelial tolerance to high temperature, while the RNAi-pal2 strains had enhanced mycelial resistance to H₂O₂.

Conclusions

These results indicate that two pal genes may play a similar role in the development of P. ostreatus fruiting bodies, but may alleviate stress through different regulatory pathways under heat stress.

Nitric oxide-dependent regulation of sweet pepper fruit ripening

Ripening is a complex physiological process that involves changes in reactive nitrogen and oxygen species that govern the shelf-life and quality of fruits. Nitric oxide (NO)-dependent changes in the sweet pepper fruit transcriptome were determined by treating fruits at the initial breaking point stage with NO gas. Fruits were also harvested at the immature (green) and ripe (red) stages. Fruit ripening in the absence of NO resulted in changes in the abundance of 8805 transcripts whose function could be identified. Among these, functional clusters associated with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and lipid metabolism were significantly modified. NO treatment resulted in the differential expression of 498 genes framed within these functional categories. Biochemical analysis revealed that NO treatment resulted in changes in fatty acid profiling, glutathione and proline contents, and the extent of lipid peroxidation, as well as increases in the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and lipoxygenase. These data provide supporting evidence for the crucial role of NO in the ripening of pepper fruit.

Molecular insights into the functional role of nitric oxide (NO) as a signal for plant responses in chickpea

The molecular mechanisms and targets of nitric oxide (NO) are not fully known in plants. Our study reports the first large-scale quantitative proteomic analysis of NO donor responsive proteins in chickpea. Dose response studies carried out using NO donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), diethylamine NONOate (DETA) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in chickpea genotype ICCV1882, revealed a dose dependent positive impact on seed germination and seedling growth. SNP at 0.1mM concentration proved to be most appropriate following confirmation using four different chickpea genotypes. while SNP treatment enhanced the percentage of germination, chlorophyll and nitrogen contents in chickpea, addition of NO scavenger, cPTIO reverted its impact under abiotic stresses. Proteome profiling revealed 172 downregulated and 76 upregulated proteins, of which majority were involved in metabolic processes (118) by virtue of their catalytic (145) and binding (106) activity. A few crucial proteins such as S-adenosylmethionine synthase, dehydroascorbate reductase, pyruvate kinase fragment, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase, 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase were less abundant whereas Bowman-Birk type protease inhibitor, non-specific lipid transfer protein, chalcone synthase, ribulose-1-5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase large subunit, PSII D2 protein were highly abundant in SNP treated samples. This study highlights the protein networks for a better understanding of possible NO induced regulatory mechanisms in plants.

Exogenous application of nitric oxide modulates osmolyte metabolism, antioxidants, enzymes of ascorbate-glutathione cycle and promotes growth under cadmium stress in tomato

Experiments were carried out to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in ameliorating the negative effects of cadmium stress in tomato seedlings. Plants treated with cadmium (CdCl₂, 150 μM) showed reduced growth, biomass yield, pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and gas exchange parameters. Exogenous application of NO donor (sodium nitroprusside) with nutrient solution protected chlorophyll pigments, restored chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange parameters, and caused significant enhancements in growth and biomass yield. Cadmium triggered the synthesis of proline and glycine betaine; however, application of NO caused further enhancement of their accumulation, reflecting an obvious amelioration of the cadmium-induced decline in relative water content. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and other enzymatic activities of ascorbate-glutathione cycle were enhanced following the application of NO, as compared with those in untreated seedlings under control and cadmium stress conditions. NO increased the flavonoid and total phenol content in Cd-stressed tomato plants. Moreover, NO application restricted the uptake of cadmium and enhanced the accumulation of nutrients in different parts of tomato plants. On the basis of the findings of the present study, we propose that NO has a potential role as a growth promoter for tomato under cadmium stress.

Overexpressing sweetpotato peroxidase gene swpa4 affects nitric oxide production by activating the expression of reactive oxygen species- and nitric oxide-related genes in tobacco

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are key signaling molecules involved in various developmental and stress responses in plants. NO and ROS production, which is triggered by various stimuli, activates downstream signaling pathways to help plants cope with abiotic and biotic stresses. Recent evidence suggests that the interplay between NO and ROS signaling plays a critical role in regulating stress responses. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. We previously reported that transgenic tobacco overexpressing the swpa4 peroxidase (POD) gene from sweetpotato exhibits increased tolerance to stress. Overexpression of swpa4 also induces the generation of H2O2 and activates the expression of various extracellular acidic pathogenesis-related (PR) genes. Here, we show that swpa4 positively regulates the expression of ROS- and NO-related genes in transgenic tobacco plants. Plants expressing swpa4 exhibited increased expression of ROS-related genes and increased ROS-related enzyme activity under normal conditions and H2O2 treatment, whereas the expression of NO associated 1 (NOA1) only increased under normal conditions. Moreover, plants overexpressing swpa4 showed increased NO levels under normal conditions and after treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Interestingly, treatment with a POD inhibitor dramatically reduced NO levels in swpa4 transgenic plants. These findings suggest that swpa4 regulates H2O2 and NO homeostasis in plants under stress conditions, thereby establishing a possible molecular link between the NO and ROS signaling pathways.

Photomorphogenic responses to ultraviolet-B light

Exposure to ultraviolet B (UV-B) light regulates numerous aspects of plant metabolism, morphology and physiology through the differential expression of hundreds of genes. Photomorphogenic responses to UV-B are mediated by the photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8). Considerable progress has been made in understanding UVR8 action: the structural basis of photoreceptor function, how interaction with CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 initiates signaling and how REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS proteins negatively regulate UVR8 action. In addition, recent research shows that UVR8 mediates several responses through interaction with other signaling pathways, in particular auxin signaling. Nevertheless, many aspects of UVR8 action remain poorly understood. Most research to date has been undertaken with Arabidopsis, and it is important to explore the functions and regulation of UVR8 in diverse plant species. Furthermore, it is essential to understand how UVR8, and UV-B signaling in general, regulates processes under natural growth conditions. Ultraviolet B regulates the expression of many genes through UVR8-independent pathways, but the activity and importance of these pathways in plants growing in sunlight are poorly understood.

Nitric oxide mediates brassinosteroid-induced flavonoid biosynthesis in Camellia sinensis L

Flavonoids are one of the key secondary metabolites determining the quality of tea. Although exogenous brassinosteroid (BR), a steroidal plant hormone, can stimulate polyphenol biosynthesis in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.), the relevance of endogenous BR in flavonoid accumulation and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we show that BR enhances flavonoid concentration in tea leaves by inducing an increase in the endogenous concentration of nitric oxide (NO). Notably, exogenous BR increased levels of flavonoids as well as NO in a concentration dependent manner, while suppression of BR levels by an inhibitor of BR biosynthesis, brassinazole (BRz), decreased the concentrations of both flavonoids and NO in tea leaves. Interestingly, combined treatment of BR and BRz reversed the inhibitory effect of BRz alone on the concentrations of flavonoids and NO. Likewise, exogenous NO also increased flavonoids and NO levels dose-dependently. When the NO level in tea leaves was suppressed by using a NO scavenger, 2,4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), flavonoid concentration dramatically decreased. Although individual application of 0.1μM BR increased the concentrations of flavonoids and NO, combined treatment with exogenous NO scavenger, cPTIO, reversed the effect of BR on flavonoid concentration. Furthermore, BR or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) promoted but cPTIO inhibited the transcription and activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in leaves, while combined treatment of BR with SNP or cPTIO had no additive effect. The results of this study suggest that an optimal level of endogenous NO is essential for BR-induced promotion of flavonoid biosynthesis in tea leaves. In conclusion, this study unveiled a crucial mechanism of BR-induced flavonoid biosynthesis, which might have potential implication in improving the quality of tea.

UVA, UVB Light Doses and Harvesting Time Differentially Tailor Glucosinolate and Phenolic Profiles in Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli sprouts contain health-promoting glucosinolate and phenolic compounds that can be enhanced by applying ultraviolet light (UV). Here, the effect of UVA or UVB radiation on glucosinolate and phenolic profiles was assessed in broccoli sprouts. Sprouts were exposed for 120 min to low intensity and high intensity UVA (UVAL, UVAH) or UVB (UVBL, UVBH) with UV intensity values of 3.16, 4.05, 2.28 and 3.34 W/m², respectively. Harvest occurred 2 or 24 h post-treatment; and methanol/water or ethanol/water (70%, v/v) extracts were prepared. Seven glucosinolates and 22 phenolics were identified. Ethanol extracts showed higher levels of certain glucosinolates such as glucoraphanin, whereas methanol extracts showed slight higher levels of phenolics. The highest glucosinolate accumulation occurred 24 h after UVBH treatment, increasing 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin, glucobrassicin and glucoraphanin by ~170, 78 and 73%, respectively. Furthermore, UVAL radiation and harvest 2 h afterwards accumulated gallic acid hexoside I (~14%), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (~42%), gallic acid derivative (~48%) and 1-sinapoyl-2,2-diferulolyl-gentiobiose (~61%). Increases in sinapoyl malate (~12%), gallotannic acid (~48%) and 5-sinapoyl-quinic acid (~121%) were observed with UVBH Results indicate that UV-irradiated broccoli sprouts could be exploited as a functional food for fresh consumption or as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with potential industrial applications.

Effect of proline on biochemical and molecular mechanisms in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) exposed to UV-B radiation

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of proline (Pro) in relieving UV-B radiation-induced oxidative stress in lettuce. Lettuce seedlings were exposed to 3.3 W m-2 UV-B radiation for 12 h after pre-treatment sprayed with 20 mM Pro. The data for malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), endogenous Pro level, the activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD)], total phenolic concentration, antioxidant capacity, expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) and proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) genes, phytohormone levels such as abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA), indole acetic acid (IAA) and salicylic acid (SA), soluble sugars and organic acids were recorded. It was found that Pro alleviated the oxidative damage in the seedlings of lettuce as demonstrated by lower lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content, increasing the endogenous Pro level, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, total phenolic concentration and the antioxidant capacity. Additionally, it was revealed that exogenous application of Pro enhanced the levels of GA, IAA, the concentrations of soluble sugars and organic acids and expressions of PAL, γ-TMT and ProDH genes as compared to the control. The results obtained in this study suggest that pre-treatment with exogenous Pro provides important contributions to the increase in the UV-B tolerance of lettuce by regulating the biochemical mechanisms of UV-B response.

Cadmium stress tolerance in wheat seedlings induced by ascorbic acid was mediated by NO signaling pathways

Ascorbic acid (AsA) and nitric oxide (NO) are well known and widespread antioxidants and gaseous molecules that regulate plant tolerance to several stresses. However, the relationship between them in plant response to stress, especially heavy stress, is largely unclear. This study demonstrated that both AsA and NO could enhance the tolerance of wheat seedlings to cadmium stress evidenced by root length change, which resulted from their roles in maintaining the balance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing the absorption of Cd. Furthermore, exogenous AsA led to a significant increase of NO content and endogenous AsA content in wheat roots, which could be weakened by the NO scavenger c-PTIO. In addition, c-PTIO also inhibits the NO-induced production of endogenous AsA. Although the AsA synthesis inhibitor lycorine significantly inhibited the inductive effect of exogenous AsA on endogenous AsA production, it has little effect on NO content. In addition, we found that the protective effects of NO and AsA on Cd stress were removed by c-PTIO and lycorine. These results indicated that NO accumulation could be necessary for exogenous AsA-induced cadmium tolerance and endogenous AsA production, and the exogenous AsA-induced endogenous AsA production was likely mediated by NO signaling pathways and together they induced the tolerance of wheat to cadmium stress.

Hormone-controlled UV-B responses in plants

Ultraviolet B (UV-B) light is a portion of solar radiation that has significant effects on the development and metabolism of plants. Effects of UV-B on plants can be classified into photomorphogenic effects and stress effects. These effects largely rely on the control of, and interactions with, hormonal pathways. The fairly recent discovery of the UV-B-specific photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) allowed evaluation of the role of downstream hormones, leading to the identification of connections with auxin and gibberellin. Moreover, a substantial overlap between UVR8 and phytochrome responses has been shown, suggesting that part of the responses caused by UVR8 are under PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR control. UV-B effects can also be independent of UVR8, and affect different hormonal pathways. UV-B affects hormonal pathways in various ways: photochemically, affecting biosynthesis, transport, and/or signaling. This review concludes that the effects of UV-B on hormonal regulation can be roughly divided in two: inhibition of growth-promoting hormones; and the enhancement of environmental stress-induced defense hormones.

Effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) pretreatment on UV-B stress tolerance in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is one of the most important abiotic stress factors that could influence plant growth, development, and productivity. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important plant growth regulator involved in a wide variety of physiological processes. In the present study, the possibility of enhancing UV-B stress tolerance of lettuce seedlings by the exogenous application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was investigated. UV-B radiation increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD) and total phenolic concentrations, antioxidant capacity, and expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene in seedlings, but the combination of SNP pretreatment and UV-B enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, total phenolic concentrations, antioxidant capacity, and PAL gene expression even more. Moreover, UV-B radiation significantly inhibited chlorophylls, carotenoid, gibberellic acid (GA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) contents and increased the contents of abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide radical (O2•(-)) in lettuce seedlings. When SNP pretreatment was combined with the UV-B radiation, we observed alleviated chlorophylls, carotenoid, GA, and IAA inhibition and decreased content of ABA, SA, MDA, H2O2, and O2•(-) in comparison to non-pretreated stressed seedlings.

Short UV-B Exposure Stimulated Enzymatic and Nonenzymatic Antioxidants and Reduced Oxidative Stress of Cold-Stored Mangoes

The effects of UV-B irradiation on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, antioxidant compound contents, antioxidative enzyme activities, and oxidative damage of cold-stored mangoes were examined. Superoxide anion production rate, hydrogen peroxide concentration, ion leakage level and malondialdehyde content of the cold-stored fruit preradiated with 5 KJ m(-2) UV-B for 4 h were significantly decreased as compared with control fruit. The activities of ROS generating enzymes remained unchanged in UV-B-irradiated mangoes as compared to the control, but superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, ascorbate and polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacities of the cold-stored mangoes were significantly enhanced by UV-B. The UV-B-enhanced antioxidant compounds and antioxidative enzymes were highly correlated with the reduced-ROS levels in UV-B-irradiated mangoes. The data indicated that a short UV-B exposure reduced oxidative stress and alleviated oxidative damage of the cold-stored mangoes by triggering both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems although ROS generation in the fruit was not affected.

Exclusion of solar UV radiation improves photosynthetic performance and yield of wheat varieties

Field studies were conducted to determine the potential for alterations in photosynthetic performance and grain yield of four wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties of India- Vidisha, Purna, Swarna and Naveen Chandausi by ambient ultraviolet radiation (UV). The plants were grown in specially designed UV exclusion chambers, wrapped with filters that excluded UV-B (<315 nm), UV-A/B (<400 nm) or transmitted ambient UV or lacked filters. The results indicated that solar UV exclusion increased the leaf mass per area ratio, leaf weight ratio and chlorophylls per unit area of flag leaves in all the four varieties of wheat. Polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence transients from the flag leaves of UV excluded wheat plants gave a higher fluorescence yield. Exclusion of solar UV significantly enhanced photosynthetic performance as a consequence of increased efficiency of PS II, performance index (PIABS) and rate of photosynthesis in the flag leaves of wheat varieties along with a remarkable increase in carbonic anhydrase, Rubisco and nitrate reductase activities. This additional fixation of carbon and nitrogen by exclusion of UV was channelized towards the improvement in grain yield of wheat varieties as there was a decrease in the UV-B absorbing substances and an increase in soluble protein content in flag leaves of all the four varieties of wheat. The magnitude of response for UV exclusion for all the measured parameters was higher in two varieties of wheat Vidisha and Purna as compared to Swarna and Naveen Chandausi. Cumulative stress response index (CSRI) for each variety was developed from the cumulative sum of physiological and yield parameters such as leaf mass area ratio of flag leaf, total chlorophyll content, performance index at absorption basis, rate of photosynthesis and grain yield. All the varieties had a negative CSRI, demonstrating a negative impact of ambient UV radiation. Naveen Chandausi and Swarna are less sensitive to ambient UV radiation; Vidisha is more sensitive to both UV-A and UV-B and Purna is more sensitive to ambient UV-B radiation.

Plant Survival in a Changing Environment: The Role of Nitric Oxide in Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress

Nitric oxide in plants may originate endogenously or come from surrounding atmosphere and soil. Interestingly, this gaseous free radical is far from having a constant level and varies greatly among tissues depending on a given plant's ontogeny and environmental fluctuations. Proper plant growth, vegetative development, and reproduction require the integration of plant hormonal activity with the antioxidant network, as well as the maintenance of concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species within a narrow range. Plants are frequently faced with abiotic stress conditions such as low nutrient availability, salinity, drought, high ultraviolet (UV) radiation and extreme temperatures, which can influence developmental processes and lead to growth restriction making adaptive responses the plant's priority. The ability of plants to respond and survive under environmental-stress conditions involves sensing and signaling events where nitric oxide becomes a critical component mediating hormonal actions, interacting with reactive oxygen species, and modulating gene expression and protein activity. This review focuses on the current knowledge of the role of nitric oxide in adaptive plant responses to some specific abiotic stress conditions, particularly low mineral nutrient supply, drought, salinity and high UV-B radiation.

UV-B mediated metabolic rearrangements in poplar revealed by non-targeted metabolomics

Plants have to cope with various abiotic stresses including UV-B radiation (280-315 nm). UV-B radiation is perceived by a photoreceptor, triggers morphological responses and primes plant defence mechanisms such as antioxidant levels, photoreapir or accumulation of UV-B screening pigments. As poplar is an important model system for trees, we elucidated the influence of UV-B on overall metabolite patterns in poplar leaves grown under high UV-B radiation. Combining non-targeted metabolomics with gas exchange analysis and confocal microscopy, we aimed understanding how UV-B radiation triggers metabolome-wide changes, affects isoprene emission, photosynthetic performance, epidermal light attenuation and finally how isoprene-free poplars adjust their metabolome under UV-B radiation. Exposure to UV-B radiation caused a comprehensive rearrangement of the leaf metabolome. Several hundreds of metabolites were up- and down-regulated over various pathways. Our analysis, revealed the up-regulation of flavonoids, anthocyanins and polyphenols and the down-regulation of phenolic precursors in the first 36 h of UV-B treatment. We also observed a down-regulation of steroids after 12 h. The accumulation of phenolic compounds leads to a reduced light transmission in UV-B-exposed plants. However, the accumulation of phenolic compounds was reduced in non-isoprene-emitting plants suggesting a metabolic- or signalling-based interaction between isoprenoid and phenolic pathways.

Nitric oxide is a ubiquitous signal for maintaining redox balance in plant cells: regulation of ascorbate peroxidase as a case study

Oxidative and nitrosative stresses and their respective antioxidant responses are common metabolic adjustments operating in all biological systems. These stresses result from an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and an imbalance in the antioxidant response. Plants respond to ROS and RNS accumulation by increasing the level of the antioxidant molecules glutathione and ascorbate and by activating specific antioxidant enzymes. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical considered to be toxic or protective depending on its concentration, combination with ROS compounds, and subcellular localization. In this review we focus on the mechanisms of NO action in combination with ROS on the regulation of the antioxidant system in plants. In particular, we describe the redox post-translational modifications of cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase and its influence on enzyme activity. The regulation of ascorbate peroxidase activity by NO as a redox sensor of acute oxidative stress or as part of a hormone-induced signalling pathway leading to lateral root development is presented and discussed.

Hydrogen sulfide generated by L-cysteine desulfhydrase acts upstream of nitric oxide to modulate abscisic acid-dependent stomatal closure

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a well-studied regulator of stomatal movement. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a small signaling gas molecule involved in key physiological processes in mammals, has been recently reported as a new component of the ABA signaling network in stomatal guard cells. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), H2S is enzymatically produced in the cytosol through the activity of l-cysteine desulfhydrase (DES1). In this work, we used DES1 knockout Arabidopsis mutant plants (des1) to study the participation of DES1 in the cross talk between H2S and nitric oxide (NO) in the ABA-dependent signaling network in guard cells. The results show that ABA did not close the stomata in isolated epidermal strips of des1 mutants, an effect that was restored by the application of exogenous H2S. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that ABA induces DES1 expression in guard cell-enriched RNA extracts from wild-type Arabidopsis plants. Furthermore, stomata from isolated epidermal strips of Arabidopsis ABA receptor mutant pyrabactin-resistant1 (pyr1)/pyrabactin-like1 (pyl1)/pyl2/pyl4 close in response to exogenous H2S, suggesting that this gasotransmitter is acting downstream, although acting independently of the ABA receptor cannot be ruled out with this data. However, the Arabidopsis clade-A PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE2C mutant abscisic acid-insensitive1 (abi1-1) does not close the stomata when epidermal strips were treated with H2S, suggesting that H2S required a functional ABI1. Further studies to unravel the cross talk between H2S and NO indicate that (1) H2S promotes NO production, (2) DES1 is required for ABA-dependent NO production, and (3) NO is downstream of H2S in ABA-induced stomatal closure. Altogether, data indicate that DES1 is a unique component of ABA signaling in guard cells.

Reactive oxygen species produced via plasma membrane NADPH oxidase regulate anthocyanin synthesis in apple peel

Solar ultraviolet irradiation regulates anthocyanin synthesis in apple peel by modulating the production of reactive oxygen species via plasma membrane NADPH oxidase instead of other pathways. The synthesis of anthocyanin in apple peels is dependent upon solar irradiation. Using 3-mm commercial glass to attenuate solar UV-A and UV-B light, we confirmed that solar UV irradiation regulated anthocyanin synthesis in apple peels after exposing previously bagged fruit to sunlight. During sunlight exposure, UV attenuation did not affect the expression of MdHY5, MdCOP1, or MdCRY2, but significantly lowered plasma membrane NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide anion concentrations. UV attenuation also reduced the expression levels of MdMYB10, MdPAL, MdCHS, MdF3H, MdDFR, MdANS and MdUFGT1, UDP-glycose:flavonoid 3-O-glycosyltransferase (UFGT) activity, and local concentrations of anthocyanin and quercetin-3-glycoside. In contrast, exogenous application of hydrogen peroxide could enhance anthocyanin and quercetin-3-glycoside synthesis. Xanthophyll cycle pool size on a chlorophyll basis was higher but its de-epoxidation was lower under direct sunlight irradiation than that under UV-attenuating conditions. This suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in chloroplast are not major contributors to anthocyanin synthesis regulation. Inhibition of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase activity lowered the production of ROS through this mechanism, significantly inhibited the synthesis of anthocyanin, and increased the total production of ROS in apple peel under direct sunlight irradiation, suggesting that ROS produced via plasma membrane NADPH oxidase regulates anthocyanin synthesis. In summary, solar UV irradiation regulated anthocyanin synthesis in apple peels by modulating the production of ROS via plasma membrane NADPH oxidase.

Ultraviolet-B-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis is regulated by the UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 photoreceptor in a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism

UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) signaling involves CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1, the ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) transcription factor, and the closely related HY5 HOMOLOG. Some UV-B responses mediated by UVR8 are also regulated by nitric oxide (NO), a bioactive molecule that orchestrates a wide range of processes in plants. In this study, we investigated the participation of the UVR8 pathway and its interaction with NO in UV-B-induced stomatal movements in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Stomata in abaxial epidermal strips of Arabidopsis ecotype Landsberg erecta closed in response to increasing UV-B fluence rates, with maximal closure after 3-h exposure to 5.46 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ UV-B. Both hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and NO increased in response to UV-B, and stomatal closure was maintained by NO up to 24 h after the beginning of exposure. Stomata of plants expressing bacterial NO dioxygenase, which prevents NO accumulation, did not close in response to UV-B, although H₂O₂ still increased. When the uvr8-1 null mutant was exposed to UV-B, stomata remained open, irrespective of the fluence rate. Neither NO nor H₂O₂ increased in stomata of the uvr8-1 mutant. However, the NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione induced closure of uvr8-1 stomata to the same extent as in the wild type. Experiments with mutants in UVR8 signaling components implicated CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1, HY5, and HY5 HOMOLOG in UV-B-induced stomatal closure. This research provides evidence that the UVR8 pathway regulates stomatal closure by a mechanism involving both H₂O₂ and NO generation in response to UV-B exposure.

Separate and combined responses to water deficit and UV-B radiation

Crops and other plants in natural conditions are routinely affected by several stresses acting simultaneously or in sequence. In areas affected by drought, plants may also be exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation (280-315nm). Each of these stress factors differently affects cellular metabolism. A common consequence of plant exposure to the separate action of water deficit and UV-B radiation is the enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing damage to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA. Despite this destructive activity, ROS also act as signalling molecules in cellular processes responsible for defence responses. Plants have evolved many physiological and biochemical mechanisms that avoid or tolerate the effects of stress factors. Water deficit avoidance leads to stomatal closure, stimulation of root growth, and accumulation of free proline and other osmolytes. Secondary metabolites (flavonols, flavones and anthocyanins) that accumulate in epidermal cells effectively screen UV-B irradiation and reduce its penetration to mesophyll tissue. The coordinated increased activity of the enzymatic antioxidant defence system such as up-regulation of superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase is an important mechanism of tolerance to water deficit and UV-B radiation. The accumulation of low molecular antioxidants (proline, glycine betaine, ascorbate and glutathione) can also contribute to tolerance to water deficit. Polyamines, tocopherol, carotenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and other secondary metabolites participate in the removal of ROS under conditions of increased UV-B radiation. The combination of water deficit and UV-B radiation induces responses that can be antagonistic, additive or synergistic in comparison with the action of single stresses. UV-B radiation may enhance resistance to water deficit and vice versa. Hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide (NO), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid, ethylene, and salicylic acid participate in the activation of defence mechanisms. The involvement of these molecules in cross-resistance may rely on activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis and the accumulation of low-molecular-weight osmolytes as well as regulation of stomatal closure. However, under the conditions of prolonged action of stressors or in the case where one of them is severe, the capacity of the defence system becomes exhausted, leading to damage and even death.

Protein S-nitrosylation in plants under abiotic stress: an overview

Abiotic stress is one of the main problems affecting agricultural losses, and understanding the mechanisms behind plant tolerance and stress response will help us to develop new means of strengthening fruitful agronomy. The mechanisms of plant stress response are complex. Data obtained by experimental procedures are sometimes contradictory, depending on the species, strength, and timing applied. In recent years nitric oxide has been identified as a key signaling molecule involved in most plant responses to abiotic stress, either indirectly through gene activation or interaction with reactive oxygen species and hormones; or else directly, as a result of modifying enzyme activities mainly by nitration and S-nitrosylation. While the functional relevance of the S-nitrosylation of certain proteins has been assessed in response to biotic stress, it has yet to be characterized under abiotic stress. Here, we review initial works about S-nitrosylation in response to abiotic stress to conclude with a brief overview, and discuss further perspectives to obtain a clear outlook of the relevance of S-nitrosylation in plant response to abiotic stress.

Pharmacological and genetical evidence supporting nitric oxide requirement for 2,4-epibrassinolide regulation of root architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana

Brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate various physiological processes, such as tolerance to stresses and root growth. Recently, a connection was reported between BRs and nitric oxide (NO) in plant responses to abiotic stress. Here we present evidence supporting NO functions in BR signaling during root growth process. Arabidopsis seedlings treated with BR 24-epibrassinolide (BL) show increased lateral roots (LR) density, inhibition of primary root (PR) elongation and NO accumulation. Similar effects were observed adding the NO donor GSNO to BR-receptor mutant bri1-1. Furthermore, BL-induced responses in the root were abolished by the specific NO scavenger c-PTIO. The activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like, two NO generating enzymes were involved in BR signaling. These results demonstrate that BR increases the NO concentration in root cells, which is required for BR-induced changes in root architecture.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation increases phenolic synthesis in clover roots via hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid and nitric oxide signaling pathways

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can increase the host resistance to pathogens via promoted phenolic synthesis, however, the signaling pathway responsible for it still remains unclear. In this study, in order to reveal the signaling molecules involved in this process, we inoculated Trifolium repense L. with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae, and monitored the contents of phenolics and signaling molecules (hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), salicylic acid (SA), and nitric oxide (NO)) in roots, measured the activities of l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and the expression of pal and chs genes. Results demonstrated that AMF colonization promoted the phenolic synthesis, in parallel with the increase in related enzyme activity and gene expression. Meanwhile, the accumulation of all three signaling molecules was also up-regulated by AMF. This study suggested that AMF increased the phenolic synthesis in roots probably via signaling pathways of H(2)O(2), SA and NO in a signaling cascade.

Nitric oxide in plants: an assessment of the current state of knowledge

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

After a series of seminal works during the last decade of the 20th century, nitric oxide (NO) is now firmly placed in the pantheon of plant signals. Nitric oxide acts in plant-microbe interactions, responses to abiotic stress, stomatal regulation and a range of developmental processes. By considering the recent advances in plant NO biology, this review will highlight certain key aspects that require further attention.

SCOPE AND CONCLUSIONS

The following questions will be considered. While cytosolic nitrate reductase is an important source of NO, the contributions of other mechanisms, including a poorly defined arginine oxidizing activity, need to be characterized at the molecular level. Other oxidative pathways utilizing polyamine and hydroxylamine also need further attention. Nitric oxide action is dependent on its concentration and spatial generation patterns. However, no single technology currently available is able to provide accurate in planta measurements of spatio-temporal patterns of NO production. It is also the case that pharmaceutical NO donors are used in studies, sometimes with little consideration of the kinetics of NO production. We here include in planta assessments of NO production from diethylamine nitric oxide, S-nitrosoglutathione and sodium nitroprusside following infiltration of tobacco leaves, which could aid workers in their experiments. Further, based on current data it is difficult to define a bespoke plant NO signalling pathway, but rather NO appears to act as a modifier of other signalling pathways. Thus, early reports that NO signalling involves cGMP-as in animal systems-require revisiting. Finally, as plants are exposed to NO from a number of external sources, investigations into the control of NO scavenging by such as non-symbiotic haemoglobins and other sinks for NO should feature more highly. By crystallizing these questions the authors encourage their resolution through the concerted efforts of the plant NO community.

NO loading: Efficiency assessment of five commonly used application methods of sodium nitroprusside in Medicago truncatula plants

Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive, diffusible molecule involved in a multitude of physiological and developmental processes in plants, which has been reported to display both antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties in plants. Several reports exist highlighting the protective action of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, which demonstrate its important role as a signal molecule in plants responsible for the expression regulation of antioxidant and other defense enzymes. However, the mode of application of this compound varies greatly between studies. The present study provides a comprehensive efficiency comparison of the most commonly used application methods using 2.5mM SNP on mature (40 day) Medicago truncatula plants. Measurement of NO content in both leaves and roots suggests that vacuum infiltration is the most efficient method for NO donation in leaf tissue, whereas hydroponic application resulted in highest NO content in roots. NO content correlated with activity levels of nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.7.99.4), a key enzyme involved in the generation of NO in plants and which is known to be regulated by NO itself.

RETRACTED: Nitric oxide and flavonoids are systemically induced by UV-B in maize leaves

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of Cristina Lombardo, Lorenzo Lamattina, Raul Cassia. Several figures in the article by Tossi et al appear to have been intentionally manipulated and, therefore, representing results that are not accurate. The specific concerns are 1) the NO/-UVB panel in Fig. 1B is an apparent duplication of the Fig. 4 NO/PC panel; 2) the Flavonoid/UVB panel in Fig. 1B is an apparent duplication of the Fig. 4 Flavonoid/U panel; and 3), many of the RT-PCR bands in Fig. 5 are apparently identical. The apparent duplications of the panels in Fig. 1B and Fig. 4 appears to have been done intentionally. The brightness of the published Fig. 1B NO/-UVB panel was decreased and rotated 180 degrees relative to the NO/PC panel in Fig. 4. The two images are identical when the brightness of Fig. 1B is enhanced and the Fig. 4 panel rotated 180 degrees as shown in the attachment. Likewise, Fig. 1B Flavonoid/UVB panel was manipulated to disguise it from the Flavonoid/U panel in Fig. 4. We thank Dr Elisabeth Bik for drawing the irregularities to the authors' attention.

Haemoglobin modulates salicylate and jasmonate/ethylene-mediated resistance mechanisms against pathogens

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in defence against hemibiotrophic pathogens mediated by salicylate (SA) and also necrotrophic pathogens influenced by jasmonate/ethylene (JA/Et). This study examined how NO-oxidizing haemoglobins (Hb) encoded by GLB1, GLB2, and GLB3 in Arabidopsis could influence both defence pathways. The impact of Hb on responses to the hemibiotrophic Pseudomonas syringae pathovar tomato (Pst) AvrRpm1 and the necrotrophic Botrytis cinerea were investigated using glb1, glb2, and glb3 mutant lines and also CaMV 35S GLB1 and GLB2 overexpression lines. In glb1, but not glb2 and glb3, increased resistance was observed to both pathogens but was compromised in the 35S-GLB1. A quantum cascade laser-based sensor measured elevated NO production in glb1 infected with Pst AvrRpm1 and B. cinerea, which was reduced in 35S-GLB1 compared to Col-0. SA accumulation was increased in glb1 and reduced in 35S-GLB1 compared to controls following attack by Pst AvrRpm1. Similarly, JA and Et levels were increased in glb1 but decreased in 35S-GLB1 in response to attack by B. cinerea. Quantitative PCR assays indicated reduced GLB1 expression during challenge with either pathogen, thus this may elevate NO concentration and promote a wide-ranging defence against pathogens.

Mutation of Arabidopsis HY1 causes UV-C hypersensitivity by impairing carotenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis and the down-regulation of antioxidant defence

Previous pharmacological results confirmed that haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is involved in protection of cells against ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative damage in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seedlings, but there remains a lack of genetic evidence. In this study, the link between Arabidopsis thaliana HO-1 (HY1) and UV-C tolerance was investigated at the genetic and molecular levels. The maximum inducible expression of HY1 in wild-type Arabidopsis was observed following UV-C irradiation. UV-C sensitivity was not observed in ho2, ho3, and ho4 single and double mutants. However, the HY1 mutant exhibited UV-C hypersensitivity, consistent with the observed decreases in chlorophyll content, and carotenoid and flavonoid metabolism, as well as the down-regulation of antioxidant defences, thereby resulting in severe oxidative damage. The addition of the carbon monoxide donor carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2), in particular, and bilirubin (BR), two catalytic by-products of HY1, partially rescued the UV-C hypersensitivity, and other responses appeared in the hy1 mutant. Transcription factors involved in the synthesis of flavonoid or UV responses were induced by UV-C, but reduced in the hy1 mutant. Overall, the findings showed that mutation of HY1 triggered UV-C hypersensitivity, by impairing carotenoid and flavonoid synthesis and antioxidant defences.

In vivo role of nitric oxide in plant response to abiotic and biotic stress

Over the past few years, nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important regulator in many physiological events, especially in response to abiotic and biotic stress. However, the roles of NO were mostly derived from pharmacological studies or the mutants impaired NO synthesis unspecifically. In our recent study, we highlighted a novel strategy by expressing the rat neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) in Arabidopsis to explore the in vivo role of NO. Our results suggested that plants were able to perform well in the constitutive presence of nNOS, and provided a new class of plant experimental system with specific in vivo NO release. Furthermore, our findings also confirmed that the in vivo NO is essential for most of environmental abiotic stresses and disease resistance against pathogen infection. Proper level of NO may be necessary and beneficial, not only in plant response to the environmental abiotic stress, but also to biotic stress.