GSH threshold requirement for NO-mediated expression of the Arabidopsis AtFer1 ferritin gene in response to iron

Iron treatment of Arabidopsis cultured cells promotes a rapid NO burst within chloroplasts, necessary for up-regulation of the AtFer1 ferritin gene expression. The same occurs in Arabidopsis leaf chloroplasts, and is dependent upon the GSH content of plants. A leaf GSH concentration threshold between 10 and 50 nmol GSH g−1 FW is required for full induction of AtFer1 gene expression in response to iron.

► Iron excess produces a NO burst involved in the control of some genes expression.
► In Arabidopsis this NO burst occurs inside chloroplasts.
► A leaf GSH concentration threshold is required for this iron mediated NO production.
► Expression of the ferritin AtFer1 gene occurs above this GSH threshold.