Senescence, Stress, and Reactive Oxygen Species

Abstract

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the earliest responses of plant cells to various biotic and abiotic stresses. ROS are capable of inducing cellular damage by oxidation of proteins, inactivation of enzymes, alterations in the gene expression, and decomposition of biomembranes. On the other hand, they also have a signaling role and changes in production of ROS can act as signals that change the transcription of genes that favor the acclimation of plants to abiotic stresses. Among the ROS, it is believed that H2O2 causes the largest changes in the levels of gene expression in plants. A wide range of plant responses has been found to be triggered by H2O2 such as acclimation to drought, photooxidative stress, and induction of senescence. Our knowledge on signaling roles of singlet oxygen (1O2) has been limited by its short lifetime, but recent experiments with a flu mutant demonstrated that singlet oxygen does not act primarily as a toxin but rather as a signal that activates several stress-response pathways. In this review we summarize the latest progress on the signaling roles of ROS during senescence and abiotic stresses and we give a short overview of the methods that can be used for their assessment.

Production and Scavenging of Reactive Oxygen Species and Redox Signaling during Leaf and Flower Senescence: Similar But Different

“…Mitochondria also contribute to ROS production in both organs, mainly through electron transfer from respiration chain components; however, they are much greater contributors to cellular ROS in nongreen tissues such as petals (Rhoads et al, 2006). The intracellular origins and distribution of the different ROS types remain controversial due to questions regarding the absolute specificity of fluorescent markers that are commonly used as reporters (Jajic et al, 2015).…”

Improvement of cold stress resistance via free radical scavenging ability and promoted water status and photosynthetic capacity of gallic acid in soybean leaves

“…This stress limits the growth and yield of many economically important crop plants (Bunn et al, 2009) (Jajic et al, 2015). The continuous generation in non-toxic levels and scavenging of ROS acts as a long distance signal via a cell to cell communication but, high ROS accumulation ultimately leads to oxidative stress, which affects essential plant metabolic activities and cell viability (Bose et al, 2014).…”

“…Since oxidative stress is accompanied with cold stress, the ability to activate protective mechanisms, such as an increase in the activity of scavenging enzymes, is vital for plant cold tolerance. The primary antioxidants (antioxidant enzymes and low molecular-weight antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and glutathione) are scavenged stress-induced radicals under a severe excess of radiant energy (Jajic et al, 2015).…”

Response of juvenile progeny of seven forest tree species and their populations to simulated climate change-related stressors, heat, elevated humidity and drought

“…Moreover, free radicals damage plant cellular macromolecules, biomembranes and increase lipid peroxidation (Bacelar et al 2007, Cheeseman 2007. On the other hand, they also play a signaling role, and changes in production of ROS can act as a signal that changes the transcription of genes, thereby favoring the adaptation of plants to stresses (Jajic et al 2015). Among ROS species, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important compound involved in plant response to different environmental stressors (Belkadhi et al 2014, Jajic et al 2015.…”

“…On the other hand, they also play a signaling role, and changes in production of ROS can act as a signal that changes the transcription of genes, thereby favoring the adaptation of plants to stresses (Jajic et al 2015). Among ROS species, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important compound involved in plant response to different environmental stressors (Belkadhi et al 2014, Jajic et al 2015. Moreover, H2O2 protects photosynthetic membranes during light stress (Laloi et al 2007).…”