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Enzymatic Sources of Nitric Oxide during Seed Germination

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Nitric Oxide in Plant Growth, Development and Stress Physiology

Part of the book series: Plant Cell Monographs ((CELLMONO,volume 5))

Abstract

NO is an inorganic free radical gaseous molecule that has been shown to play an unprecedented range of roles in biological systems. Taking into account these numerous functions and the reports indicating that NO can regulate processes related to plant growth and development, endogenous sources of NO need to be clarified as well as the effect of the variations of NO levels upon the plant life cycle. We consider here the main endogenous sources of cellular NO in plant tissues, and the contribution of enzymatic sources upon seed germination. Non-enzymatic generation of NO from NO2 − under conditions of low pH could be of considerable importance since significant amounts of NO2 − can be found in plant tissues. However, at least under the reported experimental conditions, enzymatic activity seems to be more relevant to total NO generation, allowing a strict control of NO steady state concentration. The complexity of the overall scenario presented here shows the need for further studies into NO production and consumption pathways in germinating seeds exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the University of Buenos Aires (B017, B012), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT) (PICT 11187), and CONICET (PIP 5706). S.P. and M.S. are career investigators and SJ is a fellow from CONICET.

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  1. Physical Chemistry-PRALIB, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junín 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marcela Simontacchi, Sebastián Jasid & Susana Puntarulo

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  1. Marcela Simontacchi
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  2. Sebastián Jasid
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  3. Susana Puntarulo
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Correspondence to Susana Puntarulo .

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Lorenzo Lamattina Joseph C. Polacco

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Simontacchi, M., Jasid, S., Puntarulo, S. (2006). Enzymatic Sources of Nitric Oxide during Seed Germination. In: Lamattina, L., Polacco, J.C. (eds) Nitric Oxide in Plant Growth, Development and Stress Physiology. Plant Cell Monographs, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7089_2006_085

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