Antibiotic activities of peptides, hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite in plant defence

• Published in: FEBS Letters 2001-06, Vol.498 (2), p.219-222
• Main Authors: Garcı́a-Olmedo, Francisco, Rodrı́guez-Palenzuela, Pablo, Molina, Antonio, Alamillo, Josefa M, López-Solanilla, Emilia, Berrocal-Lobo, Marta, Poza-Carrión, César
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active oxygen; Anti-Bacterial Agents - metabolism; AOS, active oxygen species; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Cell death; Defensins - genetics; Defensins - metabolism; Hydrogen Peroxide - metabolism; Innate immunity; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; LTP, lipid transfer protein; Nitrates - metabolism; Nitrogen species; Oxidants - metabolism; Plant disease resistance; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plants - genetics; Plants - microbiology; Plant–microbe interaction; Pseudomonas - metabolism; Pseudomonas - pathogenicity; Urate; Uric Acid - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(01)02456-5

Genes encoding plant antibiotic peptides show expression patterns that are consistent with a defence role. Transgenic over-expression of defence peptide genes is potentially useful to engineer resistance of plants to relevant pathogens. Pathogen mutants that are sensitive to plant peptides in vitro have been obtained and a decrease of their virulence in planta has been observed, which is consistent with their hypothetical defence role. A similar approach has been followed to elucidate the potential direct anti-microbial role of hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, a scavenger of peroxynitrite has been used to investigate its involvement in plant defence.