Nitric oxide in plants: a brief discussion on this multifunctional molecule

Abstract

Several studies were carried out in order to improve the knowledge about the occurrence and activity of nitric oxide (NO) in plants. Thus, this review discusses some aspects related to NO in plants such as chemical properties, synthesis pathways, physiological effects, antioxidant action, signal transduction, interaction with plant hormones and gene expression. In the last years, many advances have been obtained regarding NO synthesis and its physiological effects in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects remain poorly understood. It is signalized that tight interplays among NO, Ca2+, cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR), and protein kinases need to be investigated in details. In addition, it has not yet been possible to identify a plant enzyme displaying a nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like activity. The elucidation of such aspects represents a challenge to future studies.