6533b86ffe1ef96bd12cde43

RESEARCH PRODUCT

In vivo imaging of an elicitor-induced nitric oxide burst in tobacco

David WendehenneChristian LangebartelsJörg DurnerIlse Foissner

subject

Hypersensitive responsePlant ScienceNitric OxideNitric oxideFungal Proteinschemistry.chemical_compoundIn vivoTobaccoBotanyGeneticsEnzyme InhibitorsCellular compartmentMicroscopy ConfocalbiologyAlgal Proteinsfungifood and beveragesCell BiologyRespiratory burstCell biologyElicitorNitric oxide synthasePlants Toxicchemistrybiology.proteinNitric Oxide SynthaseIntracellular

description

A growing body of evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO), an important signalling and defence molecule in mammals, plays a key role in activating disease resistance in plants, acting as signalling molecule and possibly as direct anti-microbial agent. Recently, a novel fluorophore (diaminofluorescein diacetate, DAF-2 DA) has been developed which allows bio-imaging of NO in vivo. Here we use the cell-permeable DAF-2 DA, in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy, for real-time imaging of NO in living plant cells. Epidermal tobacco cells treated with cryptogein, a fungal elicitor from Phytophthora cryptogea, respond to the elicitor with a strong increase of intracellular NO. NO-induced fluorescence was found in several cellular compartments, and could be inhibited by a NO scavenger and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. The NO burst was triggered within minutes, reminiscent of the oxidative burst during hypersensitive response reactions. These results reveal additional similarities between plant and animal host responses to infection.

https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-313x.2000.00835.x