Nitric Oxide in Plant Biology: An Ancient Molecule with Emerging Roles

Nitric Oxide (NO) is an ancient molecule with emerging roles in plant biology, regulating seed germination, growth, nitrogen fixation, and stress response. Edited by leading experts, the book is a comprehensive resource for students and researchers in plant physiology, agriculture, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 846 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2021
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Nitric Oxide in Plant Biology: An Ancient Molecule with Emerging Roles is a comprehensive and detailed volume that offers a broad and comprehensive overview of Nitric Oxide (NO) in plant biology. The book comprehensively covers the entirety of the crucial role NO plays in the plant lifecycle, spanning from the regulation of seed germination and growth to synthesis, nitrogen fixation, and stress response. It begins by delving into the production and homeostasis of NO, and then proceeds to explore a diverse range of NO roles, with a particular emphasis on NO signaling, crosstalk, and stress responses. Edited by esteemed experts in the field and featuring the latest research from laboratories around the world, this authoritative resource is of immense interest to students and researchers engaged in plant physiology, agriculture, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Nitric Oxide (NO) is a versatile molecule that has been implicated in various plant processes, including seed germination, growth, and stress response. In this chapter, we will explore the role of NO in plant biology, focusing on its production, signaling, and physiological effects.

NO Production:
NO is produced in plants through the enzymatic conversion of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases (NOSs). There are three types of NOSs: endothelial NOS (eNOS), neuronal NOS (nNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS). eNOS is expressed in endothelial cells and is involved in the regulation of blood flow and vascular tone. nNOS is expressed in neurons and is involved in neurotransmitter release and memory formation. iNOS is expressed in immune cells and is involved in immune responses.

NO Signaling:
NO signaling is a complex process that involves the interaction of NO with specific receptors and signaling pathways. NO can bind to heme-containing proteins, such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome P450, to form nitrosylated proteins. These nitrosylated proteins can then interact with specific receptors, such as nitric oxide receptors (NOSRs), to initiate signaling cascades.

One of the most well-studied NO signaling pathways is the nitric oxide/calcium signaling pathway. This pathway is activated by the binding of NO to NOSRs, which leads to the release of calcium from intracellular stores. Calcium then activates a variety of downstream signaling molecules, including protein kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors, which in turn regulate a wide range of plant processes, including growth, development, and stress response.

Another important NO signaling pathway is the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway. This pathway is activated by the binding of NO to NOSRs, which leads to the production of cGMP. cGMP then activates a variety of downstream signaling molecules, including protein kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors, which in turn regulate a wide range of plant processes, including photosynthesis, stomatal closure, and seed germination.

Physiological Effects of NO:
NO has a wide range of physiological effects on plants, including the regulation of growth and development, photosynthesis, and stress response.

Growth and Development:
NO has been shown to play a crucial role in plant growth and development. NO can promote the growth of roots and shoots by stimulating the production of auxins, which are plant growth hormones. NO can also promote the growth of roots and shoots by stimulating the production of cytokinins, which are plant growth hormones. NO can also promote the growth of roots and shoots by stimulating the production of gibberellins, which are plant growth hormones.

Photosynthesis:
NO has been shown to play a crucial role in photosynthesis. NO can promote the photosynthetic efficiency of plants by stimulating the production of chlorophyll and by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NO can also promote the photosynthetic efficiency of plants by stimulating the production of carotenoids and by inhibiting the production of photodamage.

Stress Response:
NO has been shown to play a crucial role in plant stress response. NO can promote the resistance of plants to environmental stresses, such as drought, heat, and cold. NO can also promote the resistance of plants to pathogen attacks. NO can also promote the recovery of plants from stress by stimulating the production of antioxidants and by promoting the growth of new tissues.

Conclusion:
NO is a versatile molecule that has been implicated in various plant processes, including seed germination, growth, and stress response. NO signaling is a complex process that involves the interaction of NO with specific receptors and signaling pathways. NO has a wide range of physiological effects on plants, including the regulation of growth and development, photosynthesis, and stress response. Future research on NO in plant biology will likely lead to new insights into the role of NO in plant health and productivity.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 276 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128187975