Hydrogen Sulfide May Function Downstream of Nitric Oxide in Ethylene-Induced Stomatal Closure in Vicia faba L.

Pharmacological, laser scanning confocal microscopic (LSCM), and spectrophotographic approaches were used to study the roles of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) in signaling transduction of stomatal movement in response to ethylene in Vicia faba L. Ethylene treatment resulted in the dose-dependent stomatal closure under light, and this effect was blocked by the inhibitors of H2S biosynthesis in V. faba L. Additionally, ethylene induces H2S generation and increases L-/D-cysteine desulfhydrase (pyridoxalphosphate-dependent enzyme) activity in leaves of V. faba L. Inhibitors of H2S biosynthesis have no effect on the ethylene-induced stomatal closure, NO accumulation, and nitrate reductase (NR) activity in guard cells or leaves of V. faba L. Moreover, the ethylene-induced increase of H2S levels and L-/D-cysteine desulfhydrase activity declined when NO generation was inhibited. Therefore, we conclude that H2S and NO probably are involved in the signal transduction pathway of ethylene-induced stomatal closure. H2S may represent a novel component downstream of NO in the ethylene-induced stomatal movement in V. faba L.