Effects of nitric oxide on growth of maize seedling leaves in the presence or absence of ultraviolet-B radiation

Appraisal of kinetin spraying strategy to alleviate the harmful effects of UVC stress on tomato plants

Increasing ultraviolet (UV) radiation is causing oxidative stress that accounts for growth and yield losses in the present era of climate change. Plant hormones are useful tools for minimizing UV-induced oxidative stress in plants, but their putative roles in protecting tomato development under UVC remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the underlying mechanism of pre-and post-kinetin (Kn) treatments on tomato plants under UVC stress. The best dose of Kn was screened in the preliminary experiments, and this dose was tested in further experiments. UVC significantly decreases growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, protein content, and primary metabolites (proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids) but increases oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, lipoxygenase activity, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide) and proline content. Treatment of pre-and post-kinetin spraying to tomato plants decreases UVC-induced oxidative stress by restoring the primary and secondary metabolites' (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) status and upregulating the antioxidant defense systems (non-enzymatic antioxidants as ascorbate, reduced glutathione, α-tocopherol as well as enzymatic antioxidants as superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase). Thus, the application of Kn in optimum doses and through different modes can be used to alleviate UVC-induced negative impacts in tomato plants.

Static magnetic field treatment enhanced photosynthetic performance in soybean under supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation

The study was performed to analyze the impact of seed pretreatment by static magnetic field (SMF) of 200 mT for 1 h on photosynthetic performance of soybean (Glycine max) seedlings under ambient (aUV-B) and supplemental ultraviolet-B (a+sUV-B) stress. Ambient and supplemental UV-B were found to decrease the plant growth, chlorophyll concentration, PSII efficiency, selected JIP-test parameters such as Fv/Fm, φEo, ΔV(I-P), PIABS, PItotal, and rate of photosynthesis in the leaves of soybean seedlings emerged from untreated (UT) seeds. aUV-B and a+sUV-B were observed to increase the synthesis of UV-B-absorbing substances (UAS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide radical (O2·-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), antioxidants like ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol and decrease the nitrate reductase (NR) activity; subsequently, it results in a decreased rate of photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and yield. However, our results provided evidence that SMF pretreatment increased the tolerance of soybean seedlings to UV-B radiation by increased NO content and NR activity; higher efficiency of PSII, higher values of φEo, ΔV(I-P), PIABS, and PItotal, decreased intercellular CO2 concentration, lower  amount of UAS, ROS, and antioxidants that consequently improve the yield of soybean plants under aUV-B as well as a+sUV-B stress. Thus, our results suggested that SMF pretreatment mitigates the adverse effects of UV-B stress by the enhancement in photosynthetic performance along with higher NO content which may be able to protect the plants from the deleterious effects of oxidative stress caused by UV-B irradiation.

Nitric oxide coordinates growth, development, and stress response via histone modification and gene expression

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule with multiple regulatory functions in plant physiology and stress response. In addition to direct effects on transcriptional machinery, NO executes its signaling function via epigenetic mechanisms. We report that light intensity-dependent changes in NO correspond to changes in global histone acetylation (H3, H3K9, and H3K9/K14) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) wild-type leaves, and that this relationship depends on S-nitrosoglutathione reductase and histone deacetylase 6 (HDA6). The activity of HDA6 was sensitive to NO, demonstrating that NO participates in regulation of histone acetylation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA-seq analyses revealed that NO participates in the metabolic switch from growth and development to stress response. This coordinating function of NO might be particularly important in plant ability to adapt to a changing environment, and is therefore a promising foundation for mitigating the negative effects of climate change on plant productivity.

The light and dark sides of nitric oxide: multifaceted roles of nitric oxide in plant responses to light

Light drives photosynthesis and informs plants about their surroundings. Regarded as a multifunctional signaling molecule in plants, nitric oxide (NO) has been repeatedly demonstrated to interact with light signaling cascades to control plant growth, development and metabolism. During early plant development, light-triggered NO accumulation counteracts negative regulators of photomorphogenesis and modulates the abundance of, and sensitivity to, plant hormones to promote seed germination and de-etiolation. In photosynthetically active tissues, NO is generated at distinct rates under light or dark conditions and acts at multiple target sites within chloroplasts to regulate photosynthetic reactions. Moreover, changes in NO concentrations in response to light stress promote plant defenses against oxidative stress under high light or ultraviolet-B radiation. Here we review the literature on the interaction of NO with the complicated light and hormonal signaling cascades controlling plant photomorphogenesis and light stress responses, focusing on the recently identified molecular partners and action mechanisms of NO in these events. We also discuss the versatile role of NO in regulating both photosynthesis and light-dependent stomatal movements, two key determinants of plant carbon gain. The regulation of nitrate reductase (NR) by light is highlighted as vital to adjust NO production in plants living under natural light conditions.

Effect of foliar application of selenium on morphological and physiological indices of savory (Satureja hortensis) under cadmium stress

Cadmium is a heavy metal that pollutes the environment and affects plants physiologically and morphologically. Selenium is considered as a beneficial element, with effective roles in increasing plant tolerance to environmental stresses. A greenhouse factorial pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of selenium on traits of Savory plants under Cd stress. Experimental factors included soil contamination with cadmium (0, 75, 100, and 150 μM) and foliar spraying of selenium (0, 10, 20, and 40 μM of Sodium Selenate). Biomass, photosynthetic pigments including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, proline, total soluble solids, cell membrane leakage, relative water content of leaves antioxidant enzymes, and Cd and Zn concentration in shoot and root were recorded. Results revealed that Cd stress decreased vegetative growth criteria, photosynthetic pigments include chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid almost, 55%, 57%, 57%, and 68%, respectively, while poline, cell membrane leakage, peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzymes were increased with increasing Cd concentrations. Foliar spray of selenium reduced the toxic effects of Cd stress on savory plants via enhancing of proline content and stimulation of CAT and POD enzymes and limitation of cell membrane leakage. Also, selenium foliar spray improved chlorophyll content under Cd stress condition and decreased cadmium accumulation 29% in root, respectively. In general, these results suggest that foliar application of selenium could mitigate Cd toxicity and improve growth and antioxidant capacity of savory under different level of cadmium heavy metal stress.

Nitric oxide-mediated integrative alterations in plant metabolism to confer abiotic stress tolerance, NO crosstalk with phytohormones and NO-mediated post translational modifications in modulating diverse plant stress

Nitric oxide (NO) is a major signaling biomolecule associated with signal transduction in plants. The beneficial role of NO in plants, exposed to several abiotic stresses shifted our understanding as it being not only free radical, released from the toxic byproducts of oxidative metabolism but also helps in plant sustenance. An explosion of research in plant NO biology during the last two decades has revealed that NO is a key signal associated with plant growth, germination, photosynthesis, leaf senescence, pollen growth and reorientation. NO is beneficial as well as harmful to plants in a dose-dependent manner. Exogenous application of NO at lower concentrations promotes seed germination, hypocotyl elongation, pollen development, flowering and delays senescence but at higher concentrations it causes nitrosative damage to plants. However, this review concentrates on the beneficial impact of NO in lower concentrations in the plants and also highlights the NO crosstalk of NO with other plant hormones, such as auxins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, cytokinins, ethylene, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, under diverse stresses. While concentrating on the multidimensional role of NO, an attempt has been made to cover the role of NO-mediated genes associated with plant developmental processes, metal uptake, and plant defense responses as well as stress-related genes. More recently, several NO-mediated post translational modifications, such as S-nitrosylation, N-end rule pathway operates under hypoxia and tyrosine nitration also occurs to modulate plant physiology.

Shedding light on NO homeostasis: Light as a key regulator of glutathione and nitric oxide metabolisms during seedling deetiolation

Despite the significant impacts of light on nitric oxide (NO) levels in plants, the mechanism underlying the influence of this environmental factor on NO metabolism remains poorly understood. A critical mechanism controlling NO levels in plant cells relies on the S-nitrosylation of glutathione (GSH), giving rise to S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), which can be either stored or degraded depending on the cellular context. Here, we demonstrate that a strict balance is maintained between NO generation and scavenging during tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedling deetiolation. Given the absence of accurate methods in the literature to estimate NO scavenging in planta, we first developed a simple, robust system to continuously monitor the global in vivo NO scavenging by plant tissues. Then, using photomorphogenic tomato mutants, we demonstrated that the light-evoked de-etiolation is associated with a dramatic rise in NO content followed by a progressive increment in NO scavenging capacity of the tissues. Light-driven increments in NO scavenging rates coincided with pronounced rises in S-nitrosothiol content and GSNO reductase (GSNOR) activity, thereby suggesting that GSNO formation and subsequent removal via GSNOR might be key for controlling NO levels during seedling deetiolation. Accordingly, treatments with thiol-blocking compounds further indicated that thiol nitrosylation might be critically involved in the NO scavenging mechanism responsible for maintaining NO homeostasis during deetiolation. The impacts of both light and NO on the transcriptional profile of glutathione metabolic genes also revealed an independent but coordinated action of these signals on the regulation of key components of glutathione and GSNO metabolisms. Altogether, these data indicated that GSNO formation and subsequent removal might facilitate maintaining NO homeostasis during light-driven seedling deetiolation.

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.

Micrasterias as a Model System in Plant Cell Biology

The unicellular freshwater alga Micrasterias denticulata is an exceptional organism due to its complex star-shaped, highly symmetric morphology and has thus attracted the interest of researchers for many decades. As a member of the Streptophyta, Micrasterias is not only genetically closely related to higher land plants but shares common features with them in many physiological and cell biological aspects. These facts, together with its considerable cell size of about 200 μm, its modest cultivation conditions and the uncomplicated accessibility particularly to any microscopic techniques, make Micrasterias a very well suited cell biological plant model system. The review focuses particularly on cell wall formation and composition, dictyosomal structure and function, cytoskeleton control of growth and morphogenesis as well as on ionic regulation and signal transduction. It has been also shown in the recent years that Micrasterias is a highly sensitive indicator for environmental stress impact such as heavy metals, high salinity, oxidative stress or starvation. Stress induced organelle degradation, autophagy, adaption and detoxification mechanisms have moved in the center of interest and have been investigated with modern microscopic techniques such as 3-D- and analytical electron microscopy as well as with biochemical, physiological and molecular approaches. This review is intended to summarize and discuss the most important results obtained in Micrasterias in the last 20 years and to compare the results to similar processes in higher plant cells.

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.

The role of nitric oxide and hemoglobin in plant development and morphogenesis

Plant morphogenesis is regulated endogenously through phytohormones and other chemical signals, which may act either locally or distant from their place of synthesis. Nitric oxide (NO) is formed by a number of controlled processes in plant cells. It is a central signaling molecule with several effects on control of plant growth and development, such as shoot and root architecture. All plants are able to express non-symbiotic hemoglobins at low concentration. Their function is generally not related to oxygen transport or storage; instead they effectively oxidize NO to NO(3)(-) and thereby control the local cellular NO concentration. In this review, we analyze available data on the role of NO and plant hemoglobins in morphogenetic processes in plants. The comparison of the data suggests that hemoglobin gene expression in plants modulates development and morphogenesis of organs, such as roots and shoots, through the localized control of NO, and that hemoglobin gene expression should always be considered a modulating factor in processes controlled directly or indirectly by NO in plants.

Nitric oxide as a critical factor for perception of UV-B irradiation by microtubules in Arabidopsis

Influence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) as an abiotic stress factor on plant microtubules (MTs) and involvement of nitric oxide (NO) as a secondary messenger mediating plant cell response to environmental stimuli were investigated in this study. Taking into account that endogenous NO content in plant cells has been shown to be increased under a broad range of abiotic stress factors, the effects of UV-B irradiation and also the combined action of UV-B and NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO) on the MTs organization in different root cells of Arabidopsis thaliana were tested. Subsequently, realization of the MT-mediated processes such as root growth and development was studied under these conditions. Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings expressing the chimeric gene gfp-map4 were exposed to the enhanced UV-B with or without SNP or c-PTIO pretreatment. The UV-B irradiation alone led to a dose-dependent root growth inhibition and to morphological alterations of the primary root manifested in their swelling and excessive root hair formation. Moreover, dose-dependent randomization and depolymerization of MTs in both epidermal and cortical cells under the enhanced UV-B were found. However, SNP pretreatment of the UV-B irradiated A. thaliana seedlings recovered the UV-B inhibited root growth as compared to c-PTIO pretreatment. It has been shown that in 24 h after UV-B irradiation the organization of MTs in root epidermal cells of SNP-pretreated A. thaliana seedlings was partially recovered, whereas in c-PTIO-pretreated ones the organization of MTs has not been distinctly improved. Therefore, we suppose that the enhanced NO levels in plant cells can protect MTs organization as well as MT-related processes of root growth and development against disrupting effects of UV-B.

Overexpression of a Medicago truncatula stress-associated protein gene (MtSAP1) leads to nitric oxide accumulation and confers osmotic and salt stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco

The impact of Medicago truncatula stress-associated protein gene (MtSAP1) overexpression has been investigated in Nicotiana tabacum transgenic seedlings. Under optimal conditions, transgenic lines overexpressing MtSAP1 revealed better plant development and higher chlorophyll content as compared to wild type seedlings. Interestingly, transgenic lines showed a stronger accumulation of nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule involved in growth and development processes. This NO production seemed to be partially nitrate reductase dependent. Due to the fact that NO has been also reported to play a role in tolerance acquisition of plants to abiotic stresses, the responses of MtSAP1 overexpressors to osmotic and salt stress have been studied. Compared to the wild type, transgenic lines were less affected in their growth and development. Moreover, NO content in MtSAP1 overexpressors was always higher than that detected in wild seedlings under stress conditions. It seems that this better tolerance induced by MtSAP1 overexpression could be associated with this higher NO production that would enable seedlings to reach a high protection level to prepare them to cope with abiotic stresses.

Local root apex hypoxia induces NO-mediated hypoxic acclimation of the entire root

Roots are very sensitive to hypoxia and adapt effectively to a reduced availability of oxygen in the soil. However, the site of the root where oxygen availability is sensed and how roots acclimate to hypoxia remain unclear. In this study, we found that the root apex transition zone plays central roles in both sensing and adapting to root hypoxia. The exposure of cells of the root apex to hypoxia is sufficient to achieve hypoxic acclimation of the entire root; particularly relevant in this respect is that, of the entire root apex, the transition zone cells show the highest demand for oxygen and also emit the largest amount of nitric oxide (NO). Local root apex-specific oxygen deprivation dramatically inhibits the oxygen influx peak in the transition zone and simultaneously stimulates a local increase in NO emission. The hypoxia-induced efflux of NO is strictly associated with the transition zone and is essential for hypoxic acclimation of the entire root.

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

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

Role of nitric oxide in tolerance of plants to abiotic stress

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

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

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

UV-B-induced stomatal closure occurs via ethylene-dependent NO generation in Vicia faba

The role of ethylene and the relationship between ethylene and nitric oxide (NO) in ultraviolet B (UV-B)-induced stomatal closure were investigated in Vicia faba L. (broad bean) plants by epidermal strip bioassay, laser-scanning confocal microscopy and assay of ethylene production. In response to UV-B radiation, the rise of NO level in guard cells was after ethylene evolution peak, but preceded stomatal closure. Both UV-B-induced NO generation in guard cells and subsequent stomatal closure were substantially inhibited not only by NO scavenger and nitrate reductase (NR) inhibitors, but also by interfering with ethylene synthesis or perception. Although exogenous NO could reverse the inhibitive effect of interfering with ethylene synthesis or perception on UV-B-induced stomatal closure, the inhibitive effect of NO scavenger and NR inhibitors on UV-B-induced stomatal closure could not be rescued by exogenous ethylene. Taken together, our results clearly show that ethylene participates in the UV-B-induced stomatal closure and acts upstream of the NR source of NO generation in V. faba.

Nitric oxide synthase like activity-dependent nitric oxide production protects against chilling-induced oxidative damage in Chorispora bungeana suspension cultured cells

In the present study, we used suspension cultured cells from Chorispora bungeana Fisch. and C.A. Mey to investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the signaling pathway of chilling adaptive responses. Low temperatures at 4 °C or 0 °C induced ion leakage, lipid peroxidation and cell viability suppression, which were dramatically alleviated by exogenous application of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were obviously reduced, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and the contents of ascorbic acid (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) increased evidently in the presence of SNP under chilling stress. In addition, under low temperature conditions, treatment with NO scavenger PTIO or mammalian NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME remarkably aggravated oxidative damage in the suspension cultures compared with that of chilling treatment alone. Moreover, measurements of NOS activity and NO production showed that both NOS activity and endogenous NO content increased markedly under chilling stress. The accumulation of NO was inhibited by l-NAME in chilling-treated cultures, indicating that most NO production under chilling may be generated from NOS-like activity. Collectively, these results suggest that chilling-induced NO accumulation can effectively protect against oxidative injury and that NOS like activity-dependent NO production might act as an antioxidant directly scavengering ROS or operate as a signal activating antioxidant defense under chilling stress, thus conferring an increased tolerance to chilling in C. bungeana suspension cultures.

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

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

Apocynin-induced nitric oxide production confers antioxidant protection in maize leaves

The effect of apocynin on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and oxidative stress was studied in corn (Zea mays) seedlings. After treatment with 100 microM apocynin, strongly increased amounts of NO were detected in the leaves. This NO production was reduced by more than 70% by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, but there was no reduction in NO production when apocynin was applied in combination with diphenylene iodonium (a plant NOX inhibitor). When maize seedlings were UV-B-irradiated, cellular damage occurred and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found widely distributed in chloroplasts and mesophyll cells. Pre-treatment with apocynin and coinciding NO accumulation prevented this damage. However, the protective effect was averted by L-NAME application. Leaf discs placed in 1M H(2)O(2) for 24h showed a reduction in chlorophyll content that could also be avoided by apocynin treatment. Our results show that apocynin induces the accumulation of NO in leaves of maize seedlings through a NOS-like activity, a mechanism alternative to NOX inhibition, and confers an augmented tolerance to different types of abiotic oxidative stress. Indeed, we propose the use of apocynin as an alternative approach to study NO functionality in plants.

An increase in the concentration of abscisic acid is critical for nitric oxide-mediated plant adaptive responses to UV-B irradiation

Here, the link between UV-B stimulus and the abscisic acid (ABA)-induced nitricoxide (NO) synthesis pathway was studied in leaves of maize (Zea mays).The ABA concentration increased by 100% in UV-B irradiated leaves. Leaves of viviparous 14 (vp14), a mutant defective in ABA synthesis, were more sensitive to UV-B-induced damage than those of the wild type (wt). ABA supplementation attenuated UV-B-induced damage in both the wt and vp14. The hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) concentration increased in the irradiated wt, but changed only slightly in vp14. This increase was prevented by diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (pNOX).NO was detected using the fluorophore 4,5-diamino-fluorescein diacetate(DAF-2DA). DAF-2DA fluorescence increased twofold in UV-B-irradiated wt leaves but not in vp14 leaves. H2O2 and NO production was restored in vp14 plants supplied with 100 μM ABA. Catalase, DPI and the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) partially blocked UV-B-induced NO accumulation, suggesting that H2O2 as well as NOS-like activity is required for a full plant response to UV-B. NO protects against UV-B-induced cell damage.Our results suggest that UV-B perception triggers an increase in ABA concentration,which activates pNOX and H2O2 generation, and that an NOS-like-dependent mechanism increases NO production to maintain cell homeostasis and attenuate UV-B-derived cell damage.

Nitric oxide suppresses growth and development in the unicellular green alga Micrasterias denticulata

Nitric oxide (NO), a key molecule in inter- and intracellular signalling, is implicated in developmental processes, host defense, and apoptosis in higher plants. We investigated the effect of NO on development in the unicellular green alga, Micrasterias denticulata, using two different NO donors, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Investigations at the light microsopic level revealed that both NO donors suppressed cell growth. Ultrastructural analyses were performed with SNAP- as well as SNP-treated cells and, additionally, with the control compound N-acetyl-d-penicillamine (NAP). Cells incubated with NO donors lacked a secondary wall and dictyosomal function was impaired, whereas NAP-treated cells showed no difference in development and organelle structure compared to control cells. Moreover, cisternae of the Golgi stacks were slightly involute and no vesicles were pinched off after SNAP and SNP incubation. The NO scavenger cPTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, potassium salt) abrogated the effect of SNP, thus confirming that inhibition of cell growth is due to nitric oxide. Addition of iodoacetic acid, an inhibitor of cysteine-containing enzymes, like glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), evoked similar effects on cell growth and secondary wall formation as obtained by treatment with NO donors. Therefore, we hypothesize that NO inhibits activity of enzymes involved in the secretory pathway, such as GAPDH, via S-nitrosylation of the cysteine residue and, consequently, modulates cell growth in M. denticulata.

Metabolism of reactive nitrogen species in pea plants under abiotic stress conditions

Nitric oxide (*NO) is a key signaling molecule in different physiological processes of animals and plants. However, little is known about the metabolism of endogenous *NO and other reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in plants under abiotic stress conditions. Using pea plants exposed to six different abiotic stress conditions (high light intensity, low and high temperature, continuous light, continuous dark and mechanical wounding), several key components of the metabolism of RNS including the content of *NO, S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) and nitrite plus nitrate, the enzyme activities of l-arginine-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and S-nitrosogluthathione reductase (GSNOR), and the profile of protein tyrosine nitration (NO(2)-Tyr) were analyzed in leaves. Low temperature was the stress that produced the highest increase of NOS and GSNOR activities, and this was accompanied by an increase in the content of total *NO and S-nitrosothiols, and an intensification of the immunoreactivity with an antibody against NO(2)-Tyr. Mechanical wounding, high temperature and light also had a clear activating effect on the different indicators of RNS metabolism in pea plants. However, the total content of nitrite and nitrate in leaves was not affected by any of these stresses. Considering that protein tyrosine nitration is a potential marker of nitrosative stress, the results obtained suggest that low and high temperature, continuous light and high light intensity are abiotic stress conditions that can induce nitrosative stress in pea plants.

Nitric oxide signaling in plant responses to abiotic stresses

Nitric oxide (NO) plays important roles in diverse physiological processes in plants. NO can provoke both beneficial and harmful effects, which depend on the concentration and location of NO in plant cells. This review is focused on NO synthesis and the functions of NO in plant responses to abiotic environmental stresses. Abiotic stresses mostly induce NO production in plants. NO alleviates the harmfulness of reactive oxygen species, and reacts with other target molecules, and regulates the expression of stress responsive genes under various stress conditions.

Role of nitric oxide dependence on nitric oxide synthase-like activity in the water stress signaling of maize seedling

Nitric oxide (NO) has been known as an important signal in plant antioxidative defense but its production and roles in water stress are less known. The present study investigated whether NO dependence on a NO synthase-like (NOS) activity is involved in the signaling of drought-induced protective responses in maize seedlings.NOS activity, rate of NO release and drought responses were analyzed when NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), NO scavenger c-PTIO (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and NOS inhibitor L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) were applied to both detached maize leaves and whole plants. Both NOS activity and the rate of NO release increased substantially under dehydration stress. The high NOS activity induced by c-PTIO as NO scavenger and NO accumulation inhibited by NOS inhibitor L-NAME in dehydration-treated maize seedlings indicated that most NO production under water deficit stress may be generated from NOS-like activity. After dehydration stress for 3 h, detached maize leaves pretreated with NO donor SNP maintained more water content than that of control leaves pretreated with water. This result was consistent with the decrease in the transpiration rate of SNP-treated leaves subjected to drought treatment for 3 h. Membrane permeability, a cell injury index, was lower in SNP-treated maize leaves under dehydration stress for 4 h when compared with the control leaves. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of SNP combined drought treatment maize leaves was higher than that of drought treatment alone, indicating that exogenous NO treatment alleviated the water loss and oxidative damage of maize leaves under water deficit stress. When c-PTIO as a specific NO scavenger was applied, the effects of applied SNP were overridden. Treatment with L-NAME on leaves also led to higher membrane permeability, higher transpiration rate and lower SOD activities than those of control leaves, indicating that NOS-like activity was involved in the antioxidative defense under water stress. These results suggested that NO dependence on NOS-like activity serves as a signaling component in the induction of protective responses and is associated with drought tolerance in maize seedlings.

The involvement of nitric oxide in ultraviolet-B-inhibited pollen germination and tube growth of Paulownia tomentosa in vitro

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B)-induced reduction of in vitro pollen germination and tube growth of Paulownia tomentosa Steud. was studied. Results showed that exposure of the pollen to 0.4 and 0.8 W m(-2) UV-B radiation for 2 h resulted in not only the reduction of pollen germination and tube growth but also the enhancement of NO synthase (NOS, EC 1.14.13.39) activity and NO production in pollen grain and tube. Also, exogenous NO donors sodium nitroprusside and S-nitrosoglutathione inhibited both pollen germination and tube growth in a dose-dependence manner. NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-Arg-methyl eater (l-NAME) and NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO) not only largely prevented the NO generation but also partly reversed the UV-B-inhibited pollen germination and tube growth. These results indicate that UV-B radiation inhibits pollen germination and tube growth partly via promoting NO production in pollen grain and tube by a NOS-like enzyme. Additionally, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinequinone (LY-83583) prevented both the UV-B- and NO donors-inhibited pollen germination and tube growth, suggesting that the NO function is mediated by cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate. However, the effects of c-PTIO, l-NAME and LY-83583 on the UV-B-inhibited pollen germination and tube growth were only partial, suggesting that there are NO-independent pathways in UV-B signal networks.

Nitric oxide and gene regulation in plants

There is increasing evidence that nitric oxide (NO), which was first identified as a unique diffusible molecular messenger in animals, plays an important role in diverse physiological processes in plants. Recent progress that has deepened our understanding of NO signalling functions in plants, with special emphasis on defence signalling, is discussed here. Several studies, based on plants with altered NO-levels, have recently provided genetic evidence for the importance of NO in gene induction. For a general overview of which gene expression levels are altered by NO, two studies, involving large-scale transcriptional analyses of Arabidopsis thaliana using custom-made or commercial DNA-microarrays, were performed. Furthermore, a comprehensive transcript profiling by cDNA-amplification fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) revealed a number of Arabidopsis thaliana genes that are involved in signal transduction, disease resistance and stress response, photosynthesis, cellular transport, and basic metabolism. In addition, NO affects the expression of numerous genes in other plant species such as tobacco or soybean. The NO-dependent intracellular signalling pathway(s) that lead to the activation or suppression of these genes have not yet been defined. Several lines of evidence point to an interrelationship between NO and salicylic acid (SA) in plant defence. Recent evidence suggests that NO also plays a role in the wounding/jasmonic acid (JA) signalling pathway. NO donors affect both wounding-induced H2O2 synthesis and wounding- or JA-induced expression of defence genes. One of the major challenges ahead is to determine how the correct specific response is evoked, despite shared use of the NO signal and, in some cases, its downstream second messengers.

Modulation of nitric oxide bioactivity by plant haemoglobins

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive signalling molecule that has numerous targets in plants. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic synthesis of NO has been detected in several plant species, and NO functions have been characterized during diverse physiological processes such as plant growth, development, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This wide variety of effects reflects the basic signalling mechanisms that are utilized by virtually all mammalian and plant cells and suggests the necessity of detoxification mechanisms to control the level and functions of NO. During the last two years an increasing number of reports have implicated non-symbiotic haemoglobins as the key enzymatic system for NO scavenging in plants, indicating that the primordial function of haemoglobins may well be to protect against nitrosative stress and to modulate NO signalling functions. The biological relevance of plant haemoglobins during specific conditions of plant growth and stress, and the existence of further enzymatic and non-enzymatic NO scavenging systems, suggest the existence of precise NO modulation mechanisms in plants, as observed for different NO sources.