| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017632 | Plant Science | 2011 | 6 Pages |
Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is a reactive nitrogen species formed when nitric oxide (NO) reacts with the superoxide anion (O2−). It was first identified as a mediator of cell death in animals but was later shown to act as a positive regulator of cell signaling, mainly through the posttranslational modification of proteins by tyrosine nitration. In plants, peroxynitrite is not involved in NO-mediated cell death and its physiological function is poorly understood. However, it is emerging as a potential signaling molecule during the induction of defense responses against pathogens and this could be mediated by the selective nitration of tyrosine residues in a small number of proteins. In this review we discuss the general role of tyrosine nitration in plants and evaluate recent evidence suggesting that peroxynitrite is an effector of NO-mediated signaling following pathogen infection.
► Peroxynitrite is formed during the plant hypersensitive disease resistance response. ► Peroxynitrite is not a mediator of the hypersensitive cell death. ► Tyrosine protein nitration is central in peroxynitrite signaling functions.
