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Nitric oxide production in plants: an update.
Jeremy Astier, Inonge Gross1, Jörg Durner1
1Helmholtz Zentrum München, Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology Neuherberg, Germany.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|December 15, 2017
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) production in plants is mainly through nitrite reduction by enzymes like nitrate reductases (NRs). An arginine-dependent pathway for NO synthesis also exists, but the specific proteins involved are still unknown.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial signaling molecule in plants.
- Understanding NO production pathways is essential for plant science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on NO production in plants.
- To highlight recent findings and unresolved questions regarding NO synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on NO production mechanisms in plants.
- Discussion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic NO synthesis routes.
- Analysis of evidence for oxidative NO production pathways.
Main Results:
- The primary NO production route involves nitrite reduction via nitrate reductases (NRs), mitochondrial electron transport, and NR-NOFNiR complexes.
- Evidence suggests an arginine-dependent, NOS-like oxidative NO production pathway in plants.
- No NOS homologs have been identified in plant genomes, leaving the responsible proteins unidentified.
Conclusions:
- Plant NO production involves both reductive and potential oxidative pathways.
- Further research is needed to identify the proteins responsible for oxidative NO synthesis in plants.
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