Peroxisomes as a source of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide signal molecules in plant cells

• Published in: Trends in plant science 2001-04, Vol.6 (4), p.145-150
• Main Authors: Corpas, Francisco J, Barroso, Juan B, del Rı́o, Luis A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: activated oxygen species; Cell Membrane - physiology; Cell Respiration - physiology; Free Radicals - metabolism; hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - metabolism; NADP - metabolism; nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - biosynthesis; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; Oxidative Stress - physiology; peroxisome; Peroxisomes - metabolism; Plants - metabolism; Plants - ultrastructure; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; signal molecule; Signal Transduction; superoxide
• ISSN: 1360-1385; 1878-4372
• DOI: 10.1016/S1360-1385(01)01898-2

The important role of plant peroxisomes in a variety of metabolic reactions such as photorespiration, fatty acid β-oxidation, the glyoxylate cycle and generation–degradation of hydrogen peroxide is well known. In recent years, the presence of a novel group of enzymes, mainly involved in the metabolism of oxygen free-radicals, has been shown in peroxisomes. In addition to hydrogen peroxide, peroxisomes can generate superoxide-radicals and nitric oxide, which are known cellular messengers with a variety of physiological roles in intra- and inter-cellular communication. Nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide can permeate the peroxisomal membrane and superoxide radicals can be produced on the cytosolic side of the membrane. The signal molecule-generating capacity of peroxisomes can have important implications for cellular metabolism in plants, particularly under biotic and abiotic stress.