Nitric oxide implication in cadmium-induced programmed cell death in roots and signaling response of yellow lupine plants

► Roots of yellow lupine exposed to Cd resulted in programmed cell death (PCD). ► Cd-induced PCD was preceded by NO production as well as was accompanied by NADPH-oxidase-dependent O2− accumulation. ► The concomitant high level of NO and O2− did not result in a significant peroxynitrite formation. ► PCD in roots was correlated with the enhanced level of the post-stress signals in leaves