Nitric oxide functions as a signal in plant disease resistance.

Reference Report for IND21970964

Title:	Nitric oxide functions as a signal in plant disease resistance.
Authors:	Delledonne, M., Xia, Y.J., Dixon, R.A., Lamb, C.
Source:	Nature 1998, 394(6693):585-588
Abstract:	Recognition of an avirulent pathogen triggers the rapid production of the reactive oxygen intermediates superoxide (superoxide) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This oxidative burst drives cross-linking of the cell wall, induces several plant genes involved in cellular protection and defence, and is necessary for the initiation of host cell death in the hypersensitive disease-resistance response. However, this burst is not enough to support a strong disease-resistance response. Here we show that nitric oxide, which acts as a signal in the immune, nervous and vascular systems, potentiates the induction of hypersensitive cell death in soybean cells by reactive oxygen intermediates and functions independently of such intermediates to induce genes for the synthesis of protective natural products. Moreover, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis compromise the hypersensitive disease-resistance response of Arabidopsis leaves to Pseudomonas syringae, promoting disease and bacterial growth. We conclude that nitric oxide plays a key role in disease resistance in plants.

Funded by the USDA-ARS. Developed by the USDA-ARS SoyBase and Legume Clade Database group at the Iowa State University, Ames, IA

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