Peroxisomes as a cellular source of reactive nitrogen species signal molecules

• Published in: Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 2011-02, Vol.506 (1), p.1-11
• Main Author: del Río, Luis A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; catalase; fungi; GSNO; Humans; hydrogen peroxide; metabolism; Models, Biological; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; nitric oxide synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; nitrogen; Peroxisomes; Peroxisomes - metabolism; Peroxisomes - ultrastructure; Plants - metabolism; Plants - ultrastructure; Reactive nitrogen species; Reactive Nitrogen Species - metabolism; Reactive oxygen species; RNS; RNS signaling; ROS; S-nitrosoglutathione; S-Nitrosoglutathione - metabolism; Signal Transduction; superoxide anion
• ISSN: 0003-9861; 1096-0384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2010.10.022

[Display omitted] ▸ Plant peroxisomes have nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and generate the reactive nitrogen species (RNS) nitric oxide (NO). ▸ These organelles produce the intra- and inter-cellular NO carrier S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). ▸ Plant peroxisomes can be a cellular source of important RNS signal molecules like NO and GSNO, and could act as subcellular sensors of plant stress by releasing RNS to the cytoplasm and triggering specific changes in defense gene expression (stress signaling). ▸ Peroxisomes of human, animal and fungal cells could develop similar RNS signaling functions to those found in plant peroxisomes. Peroxisomes are single membrane-bounded subcellular organelles with an essentially oxidative type of metabolism and are probably the major sites of intracellular H2O2 production. These organelles also generate superoxide radicals (O2-) and besides catalase they have a complex battery of antioxidative enzymes. In recent years the existence of l-arginine-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and the generation of the reactive nitrogen species (RNS) nitric oxide (NO) have been demonstrated in plant peroxisomes. The inter-cellular and intracellular NO carrier S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) can be generated inside peroxisomes and the presence of this RNS has been demonstrated in peroxisomes from several plant species. This review analyzes the available evidence concerning the properties of the NOS activity and the generation of the RNS messengers NO and GSNO in peroxisomes in the context of the cellular function of these organelles as a source of RNS signaling molecules. The important physiological functions displayed by NO and other RNS in intra- and inter-cellular communication in different organisms indicate that more attention should be payed to the RNS signaling function of peroxisomes in human, animal and fungal cells, where it is very likely that similar mechanisms to those found in plant peroxisomes are also operative.