Cyanide action in plants — from toxic to regulatory |
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Authors: | Irena Siegień Renata Bogatek |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Biology, The University of Białystok, Świerkowa 20B, 15-950 Białystok, Poland;(2) Department of Plant Physiology, Warsaw Agricultural University, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warszawa, Poland |
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Abstract: | Recent biochemical and genetic studies on hydrogen cyanide (HCN) metabolism and function in plants were reviewed. The potential
sources of endogenous cyanide and the pathways of its detoxification are outlined and the possible signaling routes by which
cyanide exerts its physiological effects are discussed. Cyanide is produced in plant tissues as the result of hydrolysis of
cyanogenic compounds and is also released as a co-product of ethylene biosynthesis. Most cyanide produced in plants is detoxified
primarily by the key enzyme β-cyanoalanine synthase. The remaining HCN at non-toxic concentration may play a role of signaling
molecule involved in the control of some metabolic processes in plants. So, HCN may play a dual role in plants, depending
on its concentration. It may be used in defense against herbivores at high toxic concentration and may have a regulatory function
at lower concentration. Special attention is given to the action of HCN during biotic and abiotic stresses, nitrate assimilation
and seed germination. Intracellular signaling responses to HCN involve enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation
and the expression of cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) and ACC synthase (ACS) genes. The biochemical and cellular mechanisms of these responses are, however, not completely understood. |
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Keywords: | cell signaling β -cyanoalanine synthase cyanogenesis ethylene HCN nitrate reductase ROS seed germination signal transduction stress |
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