Hydrogen Peroxide in Plants： a Versatile Molecule of the Reactive Oxygen Species Network

Plants often face the challenge of severe environmental conditions, which include various biotic and abiotic stresses that exert adverse effects on plant growth and development. During evolution, plants have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms to adapt to various environmental stressors. One of the consequences of stress is an increase in the cellular concentration of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, which are subsequently converted to hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）. Even under normal conditions, higher plants produce ROS during metabolic processes. Excess concentrations of ROS result in oxidative damage to or the apoptotic death of cells. Development of an antioxidant defense system in plants protects them against oxidative stress damage. These ROS and, more particularly, H2O2, play versatile roles in normal plant physiological processes and in resistance to stresses. Recently, H2O2 has been regarded as a signaling molecule and regulator of the expression of some genes in cells. This review describes various aspects of H2O2 function, generation and scavenging, gene regulation and cross-links with other physiological molecules during plant growth, development and resistance responses.     

Hydrogen peroxide generation by the pepper extracellular peroxidase CaPO2 activates local and systemic cell death and defense response to bacterial pathogens

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for mediating cellular defense responses in plants. Controversy has existed over the origin of ROS in plant defense. We have isolated a novel extracellular peroxidase gene, CaPO2, from pepper (Capsicum annuum). Local or systemic expression of CaPO2 is induced in pepper by avirulent Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria (Xcv) infection. We examined the function of the CaPO2 gene in plant defense using the virus-induced gene silencing technique and gain-of-function transgenic plants. CaPO2-silenced pepper plants were highly susceptible to Xcv infection. Virus-induced gene silencing of the CaPO2 gene also compromised hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) accumulation and hypersensitive cell death in leaves, both locally and systemically, during avirulent Xcv infection. In contrast, overexpression of CaPO2 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) conferred enhanced disease resistance accompanied by cell death, H(2)O(2) accumulation, and PR gene induction. In CaPO2-overexpression Arabidopsis leaves infected by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato, H(2)O(2) generation was sensitive to potassium cyanide (a peroxidase inhibitor) but insensitive to diphenylene iodonium (an NADPH oxidase inhibitor), suggesting that H(2)O(2) generation depends on peroxidase in Arabidopsis. Together, these results indicate that the CaPO2 peroxidase is involved in ROS generation, both locally and systemically, to activate cell death and PR gene induction during the defense response to pathogen invasion.     

Roles of the reactive oxygen species-generating peroxidase reactions in plant defense and growth induction

Extracellularly secreted plant peroxidases (POXs) are considered to catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) coupled to oxidation of plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and defense-related compounds salicylic acid (SA), aromatic monoamines (AMAs) and chitooligosaccharides (COSs). This review article consists of two parts, which describe H(2)O(2)-dependent and H(2)O(2)-independent mechanisms for ROS generation, respectively. Recent studies have shown that plant POXs oxidize SA, AMAs and COSs in the presence of H(2)O(2) via a conventional POX cycle, yielding the corresponding radical species, such as SA free radicals. These radical species may react with oxygen, and superoxide (O(2)(.-)) is produced. Through the series of reactions 2 moles of O(2)(.-) can be formed from 1 moles of H(2)O(2), thus leading to oxidative burst. It has been revealed that the ROS induced by SA, AMAs and COSs triggers the increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. Actually POXs transduce the extracellular signals into the redox signals that eventually stimulate the intracellular Ca(2+) signaling required for induction of defense responses. On the other hand, IAA can react with oxygen and plant POXs in the absence of H(2)O(2), by forming the ternary complex enzyme-IAA-O(2), which readily dissociates into enzyme, IAA radicals and O(2)(.-). This article covers the recent reports showing that extracellularly produced hydroxy radicals derived from O(2)(.-) mediate the IAA-induced cell elongation. Here a novel model for IAA signaling pathway mediated by extracellular ROS produced by cell-wall POXs is proposed. In addition, possible controls of the IAA-POX reactions by a fungal alkaloid are discussed.     

Plasma membrane-generated reactive oxygen intermediates and their role in cell growth of plants

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as intermediates in the reduction of O2 to H2O (superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical), are generally regarded as harmful products of oxygenic metabolism causing cell damage in plants, animals and microorganisms. However, oxygen radical chemistry can also play useful roles if it takes place outside of the protoplast. In plants, the production of these ROS initiated by the plasma membrane NAD(P)H oxidase can be used for controlled polymer breakdown leading to wall loosening during extension growth. Backbone cleavage of cell wall polysaccharides can be accomplished by hydroxyl radicals produced from hydrogen peroxide and superoxide in a reaction catalyzed by cell wall peroxidase. Growing plant organs such as coleoptiles or roots of maize seedlings produce these ROS specifically in the apoplast of actively growing tissues, e.g. in the epidermis of the coleoptile and the growing zone of the root. Auxin promotes the release of hydroxyl radicals when inducing elongation growth. Experimental generation of hydroxyl radicals in the wall causes an increase in wall extensibility in vitro and replaces auxin in inducing growth. Auxin-induced growth can be inhibited by scavengers of ROS or inhibitors interfering with the formation of these molecules in the cell wall. These results provide the experimental background for a novel hypothesis on the mechanism of plant cell growth in which the generation of hydroxyl radicals, initiated by the plasma membrane NAD(P)H oxidase, plays a central role.     

Salicylic and jasmonic acids in regulation of the proantioxidant state in wheat leaves infected by Septoria nodorum Berk

Influence of mediators of the signal systems of salicylic (SA) and jasmonic (JA) acids and their mixture on reactive oxygen species' (ROS) (superoxide radical O2*- and H2O2) generation and activity of oxidoreductases (oxalate oxidase, peroxidase and catalase) in leaves of wheat Triticum aestivum L. infected by Septoria leaf blotch pathogen Septoria nodorum Berk. has been studied. Presowing treatment of seeds by SA and JA decreased the development rate of fungus on wheat leaves. SA provided earlier inductive effect on production of O2*- and H2O2 compared with JA. The protective effect of the salicylic and jasmonic acids against Septoria leaf blotch pathogen was caused by activation of oxalate oxidase, induction of anion and cation peroxidases, and decrease of catalase activity. Ability of compounds to stimulate ROS in the plant tissues can be used as criteria for evaluation of immune-modulating activity of new substances for protection of the plants.     

Oxidation as a post-translational modification that regulates autophagy

The toxicity associated with accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has led to the evolution of various defense strategies to overcome oxidative stress, including autophagy. This pathway is involved in the removal and degradation of damaged mitochondria and oxidized proteins. At low levels, however, ROS act as signal transducers in various intracellular pathways. In a recent study we described the role of ROS as signaling molecules in starvation-induced autophagy. We showed that starvation stimulates formation of ROS, specifically H(2)O(2), in the mitochondria. Furthermore, we identified the cysteine protease HsAtg4 as a direct target for oxidation by H(2)O(2), and specified a cysteine residue located near the HsAtg4 catalytic site as critical for this regulation. Here we focus on Atg4, the target of regulation, and discuss possible mechanisms for the regulation of this enzyme in the autophagic process.     

Evidence that hydroxyl radicals mediate auxin-induced extension growth

Reactive oxygen intermediates, i.e. the superoxide radical (O*-)(2), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the hydroxyl radical (*OH), are generally regarded as harmful products of oxygenic metabolism causing cell damage in plants, animals and microorganisms. However, oxygen radical chemistry may also play a useful role in polymer breakdown leading to wall loosening during extension growth of plant cells controlled by the phytohormone auxin. Backbone cleavage of cell wall polysaccharides can be accomplished in vitro by (*OH) produced from H2O2 in a Fenton reaction or in a reaction catalyzed by peroxidase supplied with O2 and NADH. Here, we show that coleoptile growth of maize seedlings is accompanied by the release of reactive oxygen intermediates in the cell wall. Auxin promotes release of (O*-)(2) and subsequent generation of (*OH)when inducing elongation growth. Experimental generation of (*OH) in the wall causes an increase in wall extensibility in vitro and replaces auxin in inducing growth. Auxin-induced growth can be inhibited by scavengers of (O*-)(2), H2O2 or (*OH), or inhibitors interfering with the formation of these molecules in the cell wall. These results provide the experimental background for a novel hypothesis on the mechanism of plant cell growth in which (*OH), produced from (O*-)(2) and H2O2 by cell wall peroxidase, acts as a wall-loosening agent.     

H_2O_2-NOX系统：一种植物体内重要的发育调控与胁迫响应机制

以H2O2为中心的活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）的产生是动植物发育与响应外界生物与非生物胁迫的普遍特征,其在生理和分子2个水平上调控植物的发育和对外界胁迫的响应,并与一系列信号转导过程相关联。作为关键的ROS产生酶,质膜NADPH氧化酶（plasma membrane NADPH oxidase,PM-NOX）在植物应对各种生物和非生物胁迫中具有重要作用,被广泛认为是胁迫条件下植物细胞ROS产生并积累的主要来源。该文简要综述了近年来人们在植物细胞ROS产生、清除、生理功能以及PM-NOX酶的结构特征与功能等方面的研究进展,并认为H2O2-NOX系统是一种植物体内普遍存在的重要发育调控与胁迫响应机制。     

Production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species by angiosperm stigmas and pollen: potential signalling crosstalk?

Angiosperm stigmas exhibit high levels of peroxidase activity when receptive to pollen. To explore possible function(s) of this peroxidase activity we investigated amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly hydrogen peroxide, in stigmas and pollen. Because nitric oxide (NO) was recently implicated in pollen tube growth, we also investigated amounts of NO in pollen and stigmas. Reactive oxygen species accumulation was assessed with confocal microscopy and light microscopy using ROS probes DCFH2-DA and TMB, respectively. NO was assayed using the NO probe DAF-2DA and confocal microscopy. Stigmas from various different angiosperms were found to accumulate ROS, predominantly H2O2, constitutively. In Senecio squalidus and Arabidopsis thaliana high amounts of ROS/H2O2 were localized to stigmatic papillae. ROS/H2O2 amounts appeared reduced in stigmatic papillae to which pollen grains had adhered. S. squalidus and A. thaliana pollen produced relatively high amounts of NO compared with stigmas; treating stigmas with NO resulted in reduced amounts of stigmatic ROS/H2O2. Constitutive accumulation of ROS/H2O2 appears to be a feature of angiosperm stigmas. This novel finding is discussed in terms of a possible role for stigmatic ROS/H2O2 and pollen-derived NO in pollen-stigma interactions and defence.     

Exacerbated vulnerability to oxidative stress in astrocytic C6 glioma cells with stable overexpression of the glutamine transporter slc38a1

We have previously demonstrated the functional expression of glutamine (Gln) transporter (GlnT) believed to predominate in neurons for the neurotransmitter glutamate pool by rat neocortical astrocytes devoid of neuronal marker expression, with exacerbated vulnerability to oxidative stress after transient overexpression. To evaluate molecular mechanisms underlying the exacerbation, we established stable GlnT transfectants in rat astrocytic C6 glioma cells. In two different clones of stable transfectants with increased intracellular Gln levels, exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and A23187, but not to tunicamycin or 2,4-dinitrophenol, led to significant exacerbation of the cytotoxicity compared to cells with empty vector (EV). Stable GlnT overexpression led to a significant increase in heme oxygenase-1 protein levels in a manner sensitive to H(2)O(2), whereas H(2)O(2) was significantly more effective in increasing NO(2) accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in stable GlnT transfectants than in EV cells. Moreover, exposure to A23187 led to a more effective increase in the generation of ROS in stable GlnT transfectants than in stable EV transfectants. These results suggest that GlnT may play a role in the mechanisms underlying the determination of cellular viability in astrocytes through modulation of intracellular ROS generation.     

H2O2致WB-F344细胞内活性氧的产生及机理

以双氢罗丹明123（DHR123）作为荧光探针,采用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜研究小剂量（800nmol/L)H2O2诱导大鼠肝卵细胞株WB－F344细胞内活性氧产生的动态变化过程及其机理。结果发现：（1）小剂量H2O2的一次作用可以引起胞内活性氧的产生;（2）胞内活性氧清除剂N－乙酰－L－半胱氨酸（NAC）处理2h时后,再加入小剂量H2O2,发现胞内活性氧的产生明显减少;（3）用广谱的蛋白激酶抑制剂2－氨基嘌呤（2－AP）、Ca^2 依赖性蛋白激酶（PKC）抑制剂Bisindolylmaleimide Ⅰ、酷氨酸蛋白激酶（TPK）抑制剂Tyrphostin25分别预处理15min后,H2O2诱导的胞内活性氧的产生现象均消失;（4）细胞在无外钙环境下,小剂量H2O2诱导的胞内活性氧的产生明显减少;（5）细胞在无外钙环境下用NAC预处理后,H2O2诱导的胞内活性氧的产生现象消失。结果表明,H2O2可以通过胞内信号转导系统诱使WB细胞胞内活性氧产生,这可能与小剂量H2O2调控细胞生物学功能（如增殖、转化）相关。     

Nox2 redox signaling maintains essential cell populations in the brain

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are conventionally classified as toxic consequences of aerobic life, and the brain is particularly susceptible to ROS-induced oxidative stress and damage owing to its high energy and oxygen demands. NADPH oxidases (Nox) are a widespread source of brain ROS implicated in seizures, stroke and neurodegeneration. A physiological role for ROS generation in normal brain function has not been established, despite the fact that mice and humans lacking functional Nox proteins have cognitive deficits. Using molecular imaging with Peroxyfluor-6 (PF6), a new selective fluorescent indicator for hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), we show that adult hippocampal stem/progenitor cells (AHPs) generate H(2)O(2) through Nox2 to regulate intracellular growth signaling pathways, which in turn maintains their normal proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Our results challenge the traditional view that brain ROS are solely deleterious by demonstrating that controlled ROS chemistry is needed for maintaining specific cell populations.     

Diverse subcellular locations of cryptogein-induced reactive oxygen species production in tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in many cellular responses and signaling pathways, including the oxidative burst defense response to pathogens. We have examined very early events in cryptogein-induced ROS production in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Bright Yellow-2 suspension cells. Using Amplex Red and Amplex Ultra Red reagents, which report real-time H2O2 accumulation in cell populations, we show that the internal signal for H2O2 develops more rapidly than the external apoplastic signal. Subcellular accumulation of H2O2 was also followed in individual cells using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate fluorescent probe. Major accumulation was detected in endomembrane, cytoplasmic, and nuclear compartments. When cryptogein was added, the signal developed first in the nuclear region and, after a short delay, in the cell periphery. Interestingly, isolated nuclei were capable of producing H2O2 in a calcium-dependent manner, implying that nuclei can serve as a potential active source of ROS production. These results show complex spatial compartmentalization for ROS accumulation and an unexpected temporal sequence of events that occurs after cryptogein application, suggesting novel intricacy in ROS-signaling cascades.