Hydrogen sulfide: a new endogenous player in an old mechanism of plant tolerance to high salinity

Cristiane J Da-Silva,Luzia V Modolo

doi:10.1590/0102-33062017abb0229

Cristiane J Da-Silva, Luzia V Modolo

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-33062017abb0229

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Abstract

ABSTRACT High salinity affects plants due to stimulation of osmotic stress. Cell signaling triggered by nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) activates a cascade of biochemical events that culminate in plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. For instance, the NO/H2S-stimulated biochemical events that occur in plants during response to high salinity include the control of reactive oxygen species, activation of antioxidant system, accumulation of osmoprotectants in cytosol, induction of K+ uptake and Na+ cell extrusion or its vacuolar compartmentation among others. This review is a compilation of what we have learned in the last 10 years about NO participation during cell signaling in response to high salinity as well as the role of H2S, a new player in the mechanism of plant tolerance to salt stress. The main sources of NO and H2S in plant cells is also discussed together with the evidence of interplay between both signaling molecules during response to stress.

Highlights

It is estimated that over 800 million hectares of land throughout the world are overloaded with salt, which represents more than 6 % of the world’s total land area (Munns & Tester 2008)
Cell signaling triggered by nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) activates a cascade of biochemical events that culminate in plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses
The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) in stressed cucumber seedlings were increased by treatment with NaHS while H2O2 and lipid peroxide levels decreased under the same experimental conditions (Yu et al 2013)

Summary

Introduction

It is estimated that over 800 million hectares of land throughout the world are overloaded with salt, which represents more than 6 % of the world’s total land area (Munns & Tester 2008). This review is a compilation of what we have learned in the last 10 years about NO participation during cell signaling in response to high salinity as well as the role of H2S, a new player in the mechanism of plant tolerance to salt stress. The Atnoa1 Arabidopsis mutant plants, that exhibit impaired NO biosynthesis, were demonstrated to be highly sensitive to high salinity, being more vulnerable to oxidative stress and presenting lower germination and survival rates under such condition (Zhao et al 2007).

Results

Conclusion