ABA诱导玉米叶质外体H2O2积累的机制

通过组织化学染色和电镜观察并结合酶活性分析表明,ABA可通过诱导玉米（Zea mays L、）叶片质膜NADPH氧化酶、细胞壁POD及质外体PAO活性的升高,使其质外体产生H2O2;其中质膜NADPH氧化酶起主要作用。     

质膜NADPH氧化酶的活化与H2O2的产生介导内源激发子诱导人参悬浮细胞中PAL活性的提高与人参皂甙的积累

利用纤维素酶降解人参(Panax ginseng C．A．Meyer)悬浮细胞的细胞壁制备了内源激发子(CDW)。CDW体外诱导了游离人参细胞质膜NADPH氧化酶的活性,激发了活体人参悬浮细胞产生H2O2。CDW还可以诱导提高苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性,促进人参鲨烯环氧酶基因(sqe)的转录与人参皂甙的积累。NADPH氧化酶的抑制剂不仅可以抑制CDW体外诱导的质膜NADPH活性而且还可以抑制CDW诱导人参细胞产生H2O2。进而,这些抑制剂还可以抑制CDW诱导PAL活性的提高,以及sqe的转录与人参皂甙的合成。过氧化氢酶与H2O2的粹灭剂也可以抑制CDW激发产生的这些诱导效应。上述结果表明CDW激发质膜NADPH氧化酶的活化与H2O2的产生在介导CDW诱导人参细胞抗性反应中,包括PAL活性的提高与人参皂甙的积累,起了重要的信号转导作用。     

质膜NADPH氧化酶的活化与H2O2的产生介导内源激发子诱导人参悬浮细胞中PAL活性的提高与人参皂甙的积累

利用纤维素酶降解人参(Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer)悬浮细胞的细胞壁制备了内源激发子(CDW).CDW体外诱导了游离人参细胞质膜NADPH氧化酶的活性,激发了活体人参悬浮细胞产生H2O2.CDW还可以诱导提高苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性,促进人参鲨烯环氧酶基因(sqe)的转录与人参皂甙的积累.NADPH氧化酶的抑制剂不仅可以抑制CDW体外诱导的质膜NADPH活性而且还可以抑制CDW诱导人参细胞产生H2O2.进而,这些抑制剂还可以抑制CDW诱导PAL活性的提高,以及sqe的转录与人参皂甙的合成.过氧化氢酶与H2O2的粹灭剂也可以抑制CDW激发产生的这些诱导效应.上述结果表明CDW激发质膜NADPH氧化酶的活化与H2O2的产生在介导CDW诱导人参细胞抗性反应中,包括PAL活性的提高与人参皂甙的积累,起了重要的信号转导作用.     

UV-B对拟南芥叶片不同来源H2O2的活化和气孔关闭的诱导

在UV-B调控植物许多生理过程中过氧化氢(H2O2)作为第二信使发挥着重要作用,但H2O2来源途径并不清楚。该研究借助气孔开度分析和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜技术,探讨H2O2在介导不同剂量UV-B诱导拟南芥叶片气孔关闭过程中的酶学来源途径。结果发现:0.5W.m-2 UV-B能诱导野生型拟南芥叶片保卫细胞的H2O2产生和气孔关闭,且该效应能被NADPH氧化酶抑制剂二苯基碘(DPI)抑制,而不能被细胞壁过氧化物酶抑制剂水杨基氧肟酸(SHAM)抑制,同时该剂量UV-B也不能诱导NADPH氧化酶功能缺失单突变体AtrbohD和AtrbohF以及双突变体AtrbohD/F保卫细胞的H2O2产生和气孔关闭;相反,0.65 W.m-2 UV-B既能诱导野生型也能诱导NADPH氧化酶突变体保卫细胞的H2O2产生和气孔关闭,且该效应能被SHAM抑制,却不能被DPI抑制。结果表明,不同剂量UV-B通过活化不同生成途径的H2O2来诱导拟南芥叶片气孔关闭,即低剂量UV-B主要诱导NADPH氧化酶AtrbohD和AtrbohF途径来源的H2O2生成,而高剂量UV-B主要活化细胞壁过氧化酶途径来源的H2O2。     

水分胁迫下苹果叶片的H2O2代谢

轻度水分胁迫下苹果叶片Pr迅速升高,CAT活性变化不大,NaHSO3处理能显著降低叶内H2O2含量,表明光呼吸的加强促进了H2O2产生可能是叶内H2O2大量积累的主要原因;中度水分胁迫下叶片AsA含量的下降和Mehler反应的增强都非常明显,DDTC和AsA处理都能有效降低叶内H2O2积累,但MV处理的作用不大,说明叶片H2O2主要来源于Mehler反应,AsA降解造成叶片对H2O2清除能力的下降是其积累的根本原因;严重水分胁迫时,NaHSO3和DDTC都不能有效地减轻叶内H2O2积累,光呼吸和Mehler反应都可能不是H2O2的主要来源。     

Ca2+位于H2O2上游参与H2S诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程

以拟南芥为材料,利用药理学实验,结合分光光度法和激光共聚焦显微技术,研究了Ca2+在硫化氢(H2S)诱导拟南芥气孔关闭过程中的作用及其与过氧化氢(H2O2)的关系。结果表明:H2S诱导气孔关闭,Ca2+螯合剂EGTA和质膜Ca2+通道阻断剂硝苯地平(Nif)能不同程度抑制H2S诱导的气孔关闭,而内质网钙泵阻断剂毒胡萝卜素(Thaps)对H2S的作用无显著影响。由此推测,Ca2+参与调节H2S诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程,且胞质中Ca2+来源于胞外Ca2+的内流。另外,H2S诱导拟南芥叶片NADPH氧化酶基因At RBOHD和At RBOHF以及细胞壁过氧化物酶基因At PRX34表达增强,促进叶片和保卫细胞中H2O2积累,EGTA对此起抑制作用,而外源Ca Cl2处理上调At RBOHD、At RBOHF和At PRX34的表达。表明Ca2+可能位于H2O2上游参与H2S诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程。     

H2O2参与AM真菌与烟草共生过程

以烟草((Nicotiana tabacum,品种CF90NF)为寄主,苗期接种丛枝菌根(AM)真菌摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae,G.m),测定G.m与烟草共生过程中烟草根部H2O2含量以及多胺氧化酶(PAO)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性;研究外源H2O2对G.m侵染烟草的影响以及H2O2清除剂和合成抑制剂对烟草侧根H2O2含量及烟草侧根和菌丝中H2O2荧光强度的影响,以探究H2O2在AM真菌侵染烟草过程中的作用。结果表明,接种G.m 20d后烟草侧根中出现H2O2含量的猝发,一定浓度的外源H2O2促进G.m对烟草的侵染,而H2O2清除剂抗坏血酸(AsA)显著削弱烟草侧根和菌丝中的H2O2荧光强度,降低G.m对烟草的侵染率,表明H2O2参与G.m与烟草共生过程;在G.m与烟草共生过程中,PAO和POD活性显著升高,PAO抑制剂二氨基十二烷(DADD)和POD抑制剂水杨羟肟酸(SHAM)显著降低烟草侧根中H2O2荧光强度,对菌丝中H2O2荧光强度无显著影响,表明烟草根部和G.m均可产生H2O2,PAO和POD参与烟草侧根中H2O2的合成,菌丝中可能存在其他来源的H2O2。     

H2O2和ABA对干旱高温复合胁迫诱导的玉米叶片sHSPs表达的影响

以玉米脱落酸(ABA)缺失突变体vp5及其野生型Vp5的叶片为材料,分别采用ABA、碘化钾(H2O2清除剂)、钨酸钠(ABA抑制剂)预先处理,对干旱+高温复合胁迫下玉米叶片小热休克蛋白(sHSPs)基因表达进行研究,以确定H2O2和ABA对干旱+高温复合胁迫诱导的玉米叶片sHSPs基因表达的影响。结果显示:(1)与对照和干旱相比,高温、干旱+高温复合胁迫显著诱导了sHSP16.9、sHSP17.2、sHSP17.4、sHSP17.5、sHSP22和sHSP26等6种sHSPs的表达。(2)H2O2清除剂KI和ABA抑制剂钨酸钠预处理,仅略微抑制高温、干旱+高温复合胁迫诱导的6种sHSPs表达。(3)与未用100μmol/L ABA预处理的vp5相比,100μmol/L ABA预处理仅略微提高了高温、干旱+高温复合胁迫诱导的6种sHSPs的表达水平。研究表明,在干旱+高温复合胁迫条件下H2O2和ABA参与了干旱+高温复合胁迫诱导的玉米叶片sHSPs表达,但并无显著影响,暗示了H2O2和ABA不是干旱+高温复合胁迫诱导sHSPs表达的重要调控因子。     

灰斑古毒蛾口腔反吐物诱导沙冬青细胞Ca2+内流及H2O2积累

植物对昆虫取食活动进行成功防御的关键,取决于对昆虫口腔反吐物的激发子的快速识别。实验利用无损伤微测系统及激光共聚焦显微镜,研究了沙冬青细胞经灰斑古毒蛾口腔反吐物诱导后Ca2+流及H2O2的变化。结果发现:灰斑古毒蛾口腔反吐物诱导沙冬青细胞Ca2+内流及H2O2的积累,表明Ca2+内流及H2O2的积累是沙冬青细胞对口腔反吐物产生应答的早期响应事件;Ca2+钙通道阻断剂仅部分抑制Ca2+内流,说明Ca2+内流除经过质膜上的Ca2+通道进入细胞外,尚存在其他的内流途径;灰斑古毒蛾口腔反吐物中的某些成分与沙冬青细胞的质膜结合后,诱导质膜上形成允许Ca2+通过的孔道,而GdCl3不能抑制这类孔道的活性。胞外Ca2+螯合剂EGTA完全抑制H2O2的积累,GdCl3预处理仅部分抑制了H2O2的积累,说明灰斑古毒蛾诱导的沙冬青细胞内H2O2的积累依赖于Ca2+内流;抑制剂实验表明,H2O2的积累主要来源于质膜上NADPH氧化酶的作用。     

一氧化氮在脱落酸诱导的玉米叶片亚细胞抗氧化防护中的作用

研究了ABA诱导NO产生的来源以及NO在ABA诱导的玉米叶片H2O2累积和亚细胞水平抗氧化中的作用。ABA诱导玉米叶片NO的产生以及NOS活性增加,NOS抑制剂抑制这种增加。NO清除剂和NR抑制剂预处理也抑制了ABA诱导的NO产生,但是并不影响ABA诱导的NOS活性,结果提示了ABA诱导的NO的产生来源于NOS和NR2条途径。NO清除剂、NOS抑制剂和NR抑制剂预处理抑制了ABA和H2O2诱导的抗氧化防护酶基因SOD4、cAPX、GR1的表达和叶绿体及细胞溶质抗氧化酶活性的增加,表明NO参与ABA和H2O2诱导的玉米亚细胞抗氧化防护系统。另一方面,以NO供体SNP预处理减少了ABA诱导的H2O2的累积,而c—PTIO逆转了SNP减少ABA诱导的H2O2累积的作用。SNP处理诱导了亚细胞抗氧化酶活性的增加,用c—PTIO预处理抑制了这种增加。实验结果表明ABA诱导H2O2和INO产生,NO上调了玉米亚细胞抗氧化防护酶活性,进而防止玉米叶片中H2O2的过量累积。因此在玉米ABA诱导的信号转导中有一个NO和H2O2负反馈环。     

Involvement of plasma-membrane NADPH oxidase in abscisic acid- and water stress-induced antioxidant defense in leaves of maize seedlings

The roles of the plasma-membrane (PM) NADPH oxidase in abscisic acid (ABA)- and water stress-induced antioxidant defense were investigated in leaves of maize ( Zea mays L.) seedlings. Treatment by exogenous ABA (100 micro M ABA) or osmotic stress (-0.7 MPa induced by polyethylene glycol) significantly increased the activity of the PM NADPH oxidase, the production of leaf O(2)(-), the activities of several antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase), and the contents of antioxidant metabolites (ascorbate and reduced glutathione). Pretreatment with three different inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (diphenylene iodonium, imidazole and pyridine) or an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis (tungstate) reduced the increase in the activity of the PM NADPH oxidase and the production of leaf O(2)(-), and the capacity of antioxidant defense systems mediated by ABA. The inhibitory effects above caused by tungstate were reversed by exogenous ABA. These data indicate that NADPH oxidase is involved in the ABA-induced production of active oxygen species (AOS), and our results depict a minimal chain of events initiated by water stress-induced ABA accumulation, which then triggers the production of AOS by membrane-bound NADPH oxidase, resulting in the induction of antioxidant defense systems against oxidative damage in plants.     

Abscisic acid is a key inducer of hydrogen peroxide production in leaves of maize plants exposed to water stress

The histochemical and cytochemical localization of water stress-induced H(2)O(2) production in the leaves of ABA-deficient vp5 mutant and wild-type maize (Zea mays L.) plants were examined, using 3,3-diaminobenzidine and CeCl(3) staining, respectively, and the roles of endogenous ABA in the production of H(2)O(2) induced by water stress were assessed. Water stress induced by polyethylene glycol resulted in the accumulation of H(2)O(2) in mesophyll cells, bundle-sheath cells and vascular bundles of wild-type maize leaves, and the accumulation was substantially blocked in the mutant maize leaves exposed to water stress. Pre-treatments with several apoplastic H(2)O(2) manipulators abolished the majority of H(2)O(2) accumulation induced by water stress in the wild-type leaves. The subcellular localization of H(2)O(2) production was demonstrated in the cell walls, xylem vessels, chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes in the leaves of wild-type maize plants exposed to water stress, and the accumulation of H(2)O(2) induced by water stress in the cell walls and xylem vessels, but not in the chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes, was arrested in the leaves of the ABA mutant or the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor (tungstate)-pre-treated maize plants. Pre-treatments with the apoplastic H(2)O(2) manipulators also blocked the apoplastic but not the intracellular H(2)O(2) accumulation induced by water stress in the leaves of wild-type plants. These data indicate that under water stress, the apoplast is the major source of H(2)O(2) production and ABA is a key inducer of apoplastic H(2)O(2) production. These data also suggest that H(2)O(2) generated in the apoplast could not diffuse freely into subcellular compartments.     

Water stress-induced abscisic acid accumulation triggers the increased generation of reactive oxygen species and up-regulates the activities of antioxidant enzymes in maize leaves

The interrelationship among water-stress-induced abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activities of several antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) was investigated in leaves of detached maize (Zea mays L.) plants exposed to -0.7 MPa water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Time-course analyses of ABA content, the production of ROS, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in water-stressed leaves showed that a significant increase in the content of ABA preceded that of ROS, which was followed by a marked increase in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes. Pretreatment with an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, tungstate, significantly suppressed the accumulation of ABA, and also reduced the increased generation of ROS and the up-regulation of these antioxidant enzymes in water-stressed leaves. A mild oxidative stress induced by paraquat, which generates O(2)(-) and then H(2)O(2), resulted in a significant enhancement in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in non-water-stressed leaves. Pretreatment with some ROS scavengers, such as Tiron and dimethylthiourea (DMTU), and an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), almost completely arrested the increase in ROS and the activities of these antioxidant enzymes induced by water stress or ABA treatment. These data suggest that water stress-induced ABA accumulation triggers the increased generation of ROS, which, in turn, leads to the up-regulation of the antioxidant defence system.     

Involvement of polyamine oxidase in wound healing

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is involved in plant defense responses that follow mechanical damage, such as those that occur during herbivore or insect attacks, as well as pathogen attack. H(2)O(2) accumulation is induced during wound healing processes as well as by treatment with the wound signal jasmonic acid. Plant polyamine oxidases (PAOs) are H(2)O(2) producing enzymes supposedly involved in cell wall differentiation processes and defense responses. Maize (Zea mays) PAO (ZmPAO) is a developmentally regulated flavoprotein abundant in primary and secondary cell walls of several tissues. In this study, we investigated the effect of wounding on ZmPAO gene expression in the outer tissues of the maize mesocotyl and provide evidence that ZmPAO enzyme activity, protein, and mRNA levels increased in response to wounding as well as jasmonic acid treatment. Histochemically detected ZmPAO activity especially intensified in the epidermis and in the wound periderm, suggesting a tissue-specific involvement of ZmPAO in wound healing. The role played by ZmPAO-derived H(2)O(2) production in peroxidase-mediated wall stiffening events was further investigated by exploiting the in vivo use of N-prenylagmatine (G3), a selective and powerful ZmPAO inhibitor, representing a reliable diagnostic tool in discriminating ZmPAO-mediated H(2)O(2) production from that generated by peroxidase, oxalate oxidase, or by NADPH oxidase activity. Here, we demonstrate that G3 inhibits wound-induced H(2)O(2) production and strongly reduces lignin and suberin polyphenolic domain deposition along the wound, while it is ineffective in inhibiting the deposition of suberin aliphatic domain. Moreover, ZmPAO ectopic expression in the cell wall of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants strongly enhanced lignosuberization along the wound periderm, providing evidence for a causal relationship between PAO and peroxidase-mediated events during wound healing.     

Cross-talk between calcium and reactive oxygen species originated from NADPH oxidase in abscisic acid-induced antioxidant defence in leaves of maize seedlings

The signal interactions between calcium (Ca2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) originated from plasma membrane NADPH oxidase in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defence were investigated in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Treatment with ABA led to significant increases in the activity of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase, the production of leaf O2-, and the activities of several antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR). However, such increases were blocked by the pretreatment with Ca2+ chelator EGTA or Ca2+ channel blockers La3+ and verapamil, and NADPH oxidase inhibitors such as diphenylene iodonium (DPI), imidazole and pyridine. Treatment with Ca2+ also significantly induced the increases in NADPH oxidase activity, O2- production and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and the increases were arrested by pretreatment with the NADPH oxidase inhibitors. Treatment with oxidative stress induced by paraquat, which generates O2-, led to the induction of antioxidant defence enzymes, and the up-regulation was suppressed by the pretreatment of Ca2+ chelator and Ca2+ channel blockers. Our data suggest that a cross-talk between Ca2+ and ROS originated from plasma membrane-bound NADPH oxidase is involved in the ABA signal transduction pathway leading to the induction of antioxidant enzyme activity, and Ca2+ functions upstream as well as downstream of ROS production in the signal transduction event in plants.     

Involvement of Polyamine Oxidase in Abscisic Acid induced Cytosolic Antioxidant Defense in Leaves of Maize

Using pharmacological and biochemical approaches, the role of maize polyamine oxidase (MPAO) in abscisic acid (ABA)induced antioxidant defense in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) plants was investigated. Exogenous ABA treatment enhanced the expression of the MPAO gene and the activities of apoplastic MPAO. Pretreatment with two different inhibitors for apoplastic MPAO partly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation induced by ABA and blocked the ABA-induced expression of the antioxidant genes superoxide dismutase 4 and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase and the activities of the cytosolic antioxidant enzymes. Treatment with spermidine, the optimum substrate of MPAO, also induced the expression and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, and the upregulation of the antioxidant enzymes was prevented by two inhibitors of MPAO and two scavengers of H2O2. These results suggest that MPAO contributes to ABA-induced cytosolic antioxidant defense through H2O2, a Spd catabolic product.     

质膜NAD(P)H氧化酶参予金瓜炭疽(Colletotrichum lagerarium)细胞壁激发子诱导人参细胞产生激发反应(英文)

在人参(Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer)悬浮细胞质膜上测出了NAD(P)H氧化酶活性。这类NAD(P)H氧化酶活性可以被金瓜炭疽细胞壁激发子(Cle)诱导。Cle处理还能诱导人参悬浮细胞的氧进发、促进人参悬浮细胞的皂苷合成、提高苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)的活力、以及诱导查尔式酮酶(CHS)的累积和细胞壁上抗性相关蛋白基因脯氨酸富裕蛋白基因hrgp(Hydroxyprolin-rich glycoproleins)的表达。当用哺乳动物白细胞质膜NADPH氧化酶的特异性抑制剂二亚苯基碘(Diphenylene iodonium,DPI)与奎吖因(quinacrine)预处理人参悬浮细胞30 min 后,Cle诱导的H2O2释放与Cle激活的质膜NAD(P)H氧化酶活性被抑制,同时Cle诱导的PAL活性及CHS的积累下降,皂苷合成与hrgp的表达被抑制。由此推测:人参细胞质膜NAD(P)H氧化酶与哺乳动物白细胞质膜NADPH氧化酶有很大的相似性。在Cle激发人参悬浮细胞产生氧进发的过程中,NAD(P)H氧化酶活性被诱导从而导致H2O2的产生,H2O2作为第二信使,激活苯丙氨酸途径,诱发人参皂苷的合成及hrgp防御基因的表达。这一过程中还涉及到Ca2+内流,胞内Ca2+浓度的升高,蛋白磷酸化与去磷酸化。人参细胞质膜NAD(P)H氧化酶在人参细胞对Cle的反应过程中起一种介导作用。因此可能存在由Cle刺激,NAD(P)H氧化酶被诱导,H2O2释放,到人     

Abscisic acid-induced apoplastic H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> accumulation up-regulates the activities of chloroplastic and cytosolic antioxidant enzymes in maize leaves

The histochemical and cytochemical localization of abscisic acid (ABA)-induced H₂O₂ production in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) plants were examined, using 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and CeCl₃ staining, respectively, and the relationship between ABA-induced H₂O₂ production and ABA-induced subcellular activities of antioxidant enzymes was studied. H₂O₂ generated in response to ABA treatment was detected within 0.5 h in major veins of the leaves and maximized at about 2–4 h. In mesophyll and bundle sheath cells, ABA-induced H₂O₂ accumulation was observed only in apoplast, and the greatest accumulation occurred in the walls of mesophyll cells facing large intercellular spaces. Meanwhile, ABA treatment led to a significant increase in the activities of the leaf chloroplastic and cytosolic antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), and pretreatment with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), the O ₂ ⁻ scavenger Tiron and the H₂O₂ scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU) almost completely arrested the increase in the activities of these antioxidant enzymes. Our results indicate that the accumulation of apoplastic H₂O₂ is involved in the induction of the chloroplastic and cytosolic antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, an oxidative stress induced by paraquat (PQ), which generates O ₂ ⁻ and then H₂O₂ in chloroplasts, also up-regulated the activities of the chloroplastic and cytosolic antioxidant enzymes, and the up-regulation was blocked by the pretreatment with Tiron and DMTU. These data suggest that H₂O₂ produced at a specific cellular site could coordinate the activities of antioxidant enzymes in different subcellular compartments.     

Spermidine exodus and oxidation in the apoplast induced by abiotic stress is responsible for H2O2 signatures that direct tolerance responses in tobacco

Polyamines (PAs) exert a protective effect against stress challenges, but their molecular role in this remains speculative. In order to detect the signaling role of apoplastic PA-derived hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under abiotic stress, we developed a series of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi) transgenic plants overexpressing or downregulating apoplastic polyamine oxidase (PAO; S-pao and A-pao plants, respectively) or downregulating S-adenosyl-l-methionine decarboxylase (samdc plants). Upon salt stress, plants secreted spermidine (Spd) into the apoplast, where it was oxidized by the apoplastic PAO, generating H2O2. A-pao plants accumulated less H2O2 and exhibited less programmed cell death (PCD) than did wild-type plants, in contrast with S-pao and samdc downregulating plants. Induction of either stress-responsive genes or PCD was dependent on the level of Spd-derived apoplastic H2O2. Thus, in wild-type and A-pao plants, stress-responsive genes were efficiently induced, although in the latter at a lower rate, while S-pao plants, with higher H2O2 levels, failed to accumulate stress-responsive mRNAs, inducing PCD instead. Furthermore, decreasing intracellular PAs, while keeping normal apoplastic Spd oxidation, as in samdc downregulating transgenic plants, caused enhanced salinity-induced PCD. These results reveal that salinity induces the exodus of Spd into the apoplast, where it is catabolized by PAO, producing H2O2. The accumulated H2O2 results in the induction of either tolerance responses or PCD, depending also on the levels of intracellular PAs.