US EPA

3387274 

Journal Article 

Review 

Plant peroxisomes as a source of signalling molecules 

Nyathi, Y; Baker, A 

2006 

1 

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Cell Research
ISSN: 0167-4889
EISSN: 1879-2596 

1763 

12 

1478-1495 

English 

17030442 

10.1016/j.bbamcr.2006.08.031 

WOS:000243220500012 

Peroxisomes are pleiomorphic, metabolically plastic organelles. Their essentially oxidative function led to the adoption of the name 'peroxisome'. The dynamic and diverse nature of peroxisome metabolism has led to the realisation that peroxisomes are an important source of signalling molecules that can function to integrate cellular activity and multicellular development. In plants defence against predators and a hostile environment is of necessity a metabolic and developmental response--a plant has no place to hide. Mutant screens are implicating peroxisomes in disease resistance and signalling in response to light. Characterisation of mutants disrupted in peroxisomal beta-oxidation has led to a growing appreciation of the importance of this pathway in the production of jasmonic acid, conversion of indole butyric acid to indole acetic acid and possibly in the production of other signalling molecules. Likewise the role of peroxisomes in the production and detoxification of reactive oxygen, and possibly reactive nitrogen species and changes in redox status, suggests considerable scope for peroxisomes to contribute to perception and response to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Whereas the peroxisome is the sole site of beta-oxidation in plants, the production and detoxification of ROS in many cell compartments makes the specific contribution of the peroxisome much more difficult to establish. However progress in identifying peroxisome specific isoforms of enzymes associated with ROS metabolism should allow a more definitive assessment of these contributions in the future. 

peroxisome; beta-oxidation; hydrogen peroxide; superoxide; reactive oxygen specie; nitric oxide; stress; defence