Interorgan, intraorgan and interplant communication mediated by nitric oxide and related species

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 244; no. 3; pp. 786 - 797
• Main Authors: Kolbert, Zsuzsanna, Barroso, Juan B., Boscari, Alexandre, Corpas, Francisco J., Gupta, Kapuganti Jagadis, Hancock, John T., Lindermayr, Christian, Palma, José Manuel, Petřivalský, Marek, Wendehenne, David, Loake, Gary J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Body organs; Communication; Crop improvement; hydrogen sulphide; Hypoxia; interorgan signalling; interplant signalling; Leaves; Linolenic acid; Nitric oxide; Plant layout; Plants; reactive nitrogen species; Species; systemic defence; Xylem; xylem development; nitric oxide; interplant signalling; xylem development; interorgan signalling; reactive nitrogen species; hydrogen sulphide; systemic defence
• ISSN: 0028-646X; 1469-8137; 1469-8137
• DOI: 10.1111/nph.20085

Summary Plant survival to a potential plethora of diverse environmental insults is underpinned by coordinated communication amongst organs to help shape effective responses to these environmental challenges at the whole plant level. This interorgan communication is supported by a complex signal network that regulates growth, development and environmental responses. Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key signalling molecule in plants. However, its potential role in interorgan communication has only recently started to come into view. Direct and indirect evidence has emerged supporting that NO and related species (S‐nitrosoglutathione, nitro‐linolenic acid) are mobile interorgan signals transmitting responses to stresses such as hypoxia and heat. Beyond their role as mobile signals, NO and related species are involved in mediating xylem development, thus contributing to efficient root–shoot communication. Moreover, NO and related species are regulators in intraorgan systemic defence responses aiming an effective, coordinated defence against pathogens. Beyond its in planta signalling role, NO and related species may act as ex planta signals coordinating external leaf‐to‐leaf, root‐to‐leaf but also plant‐to‐plant communication. Here, we discuss these exciting developments and emphasise how their manipulation may provide novel strategies for crop improvement.