Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats
Published on: December 5, 2017
Nitric oxide functions as a signal in salt resistance in the calluses from two ecotypes of reed
Liqun Zhao1, Feng Zhang, Jinkui Guo
1State Key Laboratory of Arid Agroecology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Calluses from two ecotypes of reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) plant (dune reed [DR] and swamp reed [SR]), which show different sensitivity to salinity, were used to study plant adaptations to salt stress. Under 200 mm NaCl treatment, the sodium (Na) percentage decreased, but the calcium percentage and the potassium (K) to Na ratio increased in the DR callus, whereas an opposite changing pattern was observed in the SR callus. Application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a nitric oxide (NO) donor, revealed that NO affected element ratios in both DR and SR calluses in a concentration-dependent manner. N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine (an NO synthase inhibitor) and 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxyde (a specific NO scavenger) counteracted NO effect by increasing the Na percentage, decreasing the calcium percentage and the K to Na ratio. The increased activity of plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPase caused by NaCl treatment in the DR callus was reversed by treatment with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine and 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxyde. Western-blot analysis demonstrated that NO stimulated the expression of PM H(+)-ATPase in both DR and SR calluses. These results indicate that NO serves as a signal in inducing salt resistance by increasing the K to Na ratio, which is dependent on the increased PM H(+)-ATPase activity.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Tonicity in Plants
Tonicity
Tonicity describes the capacity of a cell to lose or gain water depending on the solute...
Cell Signaling in Plants

