Interaction of Polyamines, Abscisic Acid, Nitric Oxide, and Hydrogen Peroxide under Chilling Stress in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Seedlings

Abstract

Polyamines (PAs) play a vital role in the responses of higher plants to abiotic stresses. However, only a limited number of studies have examined the interplay between PAs and signal molecules. The aim of this study was to elucidate the cross-talk among PAs, abscisic acid (ABA), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under chilling stress conditions using tomato seedlings [(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. Moneymaker]. The study showed that during chilling stress (4°C; 0, 12, and 24 h), the application of spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) elevated NO and H2O2 levels, enhanced nitrite reductase (NR), nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like, and polyamine oxidase activities, and upregulated LeNR relative expression, but did not influence LeNOS1 expression. In contrast, putrescine (Put) treatment had no obvious impact. During the recovery period (25/15°C, 10 h), the above-mentioned parameters induced by the application of PAs were restored to their control levels. Seedlings pretreated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an NO donor) showed elevated Put and Spd levels throughout the treatment period, consistent with increased expression in leaves of genes encoding arginine decarboxylase (LeADC. LeADC1), ornithine decarboxylase (LeODC), and Spd synthase (LeSPDS) expressions in tomato leaves throughout the treatment period. Under chilling stress, the Put content increased first, followed by a rise in the Spd content. Exogenously applied SNP did not increase the expression of genes encoding S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (LeSAMDC) and Spm synthase (LeSPMS), consistent with the observation that Spm levels remained constant under chilling stress and during the recovery period. In contrast, exogenous Put significantly increased the ABA content and the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (LeNCED1) transcript level. Treatment with ABA could alleviate the electrolyte leakage (EL) induced by D-Arg (an inhibitor of Put). Taken together, it is concluded that, under chilling stress, Spd and Spm enhanced the production of NO in tomato seedlings through an H2O2-dependent mechanism, via the NR and NOS-like pathways. ABA is involved in Put-induced tolerance to chilling stress, and NO could increase the content of Put and Spd under chilling stress.

Differential Chloroplast Proteomics of Temperature Adaptation in Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) Microshoots

“…However, there were no difference between the control and high‐temperature treatment. NR activity and increased expression under chilling stress has been reported earlier . Ferredoxin‐thioredoxin system is one of the major regulations of chloroplast enzyme activity and a response to various stress conditions…”

Cross Talk between Nitric Oxide and Phytohormones Regulate Plant Development during Abiotic Stresses

“…Exposure to low temperature induces oxidative and nitrosative stress thereby promoting NO synthesis [119], which serves as a potential link between PA and ABA to induce stress responses in plants [120]. Literature indicated extensive cross talk among NO, ABA, PAs, and H 2 O 2 to modulate various physiological and stress responses under low temperature conditions [110,121]. Interplay among NO, SA, and ABA was noted to enhance the antioxidative activities (CAT, SOD, POX) that contributed to improved chilling injury in Zea mays seedlings [122].…”

“…LeADC1), and ornithine decarboxylase (LeODC) to improve chilling stress tolerance in Lycopersicon esculentum leaves. However, the expression of genes encoding Spm synthase (LeSPMS) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (LeSAMDC) was not inluenced by NO treatment [121]. Reports of Li et al [124] showed that NO treatment converts Put into Spd or Spm to confer cold tolerance in Zingiber oicinale seedlings.…”

Regulation of the biosynthesis of endogenous nitric oxide and abscisic acid in stored peaches by exogenous nitric oxide and abscisic acid

“…NO production can also be inhibited by the application of N ‐nitro‐ l ‐Arg‐methyl ester ( l ‐NAME), an NOS‐like inhibitor in plants . It is also likely that polyamines mediate NO production …”

“…8 It is also likely that polyamines mediate NO production. 9,10 Abscisic acid (ABA) is a sesquiterpenoid and a signal molecule that is important in plant tolerance to stress factors. 11 ABA can be synthesized by a direct pathway in fungi and by an indirect pathway in plants.…”