Actin microfilaments and vacuoles are downstream targets of H₂O₂ signalling pathways in hyperosmotic stress-induced...

Changes in osmotic pressure can induce stomatal closure to reduce transpirational water loss from plants. In the present work, we investigated the mechanism underlying the perception and transduction of extracellular changes in osmotic pressure in Vicia faba L. guard cells. Using an epidermal strip bioassay and laser-scanning confocal microscopy, we provide evidence that hyperosmotic stress treatment led to stomatal closure and the rapid promotion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in V. faba guard cells. The effects were largely reduced by H2O2 scavengers ASA, CAT, NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI and cell wall peroxidase inhibitor SHAM. These results indicate that hyperosmotic stress induces stomatal closure by promoting H2O2 production. Cytochalasin B (CB), latrunculin B (Lat B) and jasplakinolide (JK) inhibited stomatal closure induced by hyperosmotic stress but didn't prevent the increase of endogenous H2O2 levels, suggesting that microfilaments reorganisation participates in stomatal closure induced by hyperosmotic stress, and may act downstream of H2O2 signalling processes. In addition, we observed splitting of big vacuoles into many small vacuoles in response to hyperosmotic stress and H2O2 treatment, and CB inhibited these changes of vacuoles; stomatal closure was also inhibited. Taken together these results indicate that the stomatal closure in response to hyperosmotic stress may initiate H2O2 generation, and that reorganisation of microfilaments and the changing of vacuoles occurs downstream of H2O2 signalling processes.