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Reactive oxygen species, antioxidants and signaling in plants

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Abstract

Several reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced in plants as byproducts of many metabolic reactions, such as photosynthesis, photo respiration and respiration, Depending on the nature of the ROS species, some are highly toxic and rapidly detoxified by various cellular enzymatic and nonenzymatic mechanisms. Oxidative stress occurs when there is a serious imbalance between the production of ROS and antioxidative defence. ROS participate in signal transduction, but also modify cellular components and cause damage. ROS is highly reactive molecules and can oxidize all types of cellular components. Various enzymes involved in ROS-scavenging have been manipulated and over expressed or down regulated. An overview of the literature is presented in terms of primary antioxidant free radical scavenging and redox signaling in plant cells. Special attention is given to ROS and ROS-anioxidant interaction as a metabolic interface for different types of signals derived from metabolisms and from the changing environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry laboratory, CRDT, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, 110016, New Delhi, India

    Parvaiz Ahmad & Satyawati Sharma

  2. Plant Molecular Biology, ICGEB, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, 110067, New Delhi, India

    Maryam Sarwat

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  1. Parvaiz Ahmad
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  2. Maryam Sarwat
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  3. Satyawati Sharma
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Correspondence to Parvaiz Ahmad.

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Ahmad, P., Sarwat, M. & Sharma, S. Reactive oxygen species, antioxidants and signaling in plants. J. Plant Biol. 51, 167–173 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030694

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030694

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