Reactive Oxygen Species: Generation, Scavenging and their Role in Cell Signalling in Plants

Abstract

Plants are exposed to various environmental stresses throughout their life cycle. Plants possess physical barriers, such as the cuticle, the cell wall and a number of biological and molecular mechanisms to counteract the effect of these stresses, which also includes the synthesis of ROS, namely the oxidative burst. ROS can react with proteins, DNA, and membrane lipids to reduce photosynthesis, increase electrolyte leakage, and accelerate senescence and cell death. These are under strict control through an antioxidative system comprising various enzymes and low molecular weight components. ROS are not only toxic by-products of aerobic metabolism, but are also signalling molecules involved in several developmental processes. Here, the divergent sources of ROS and antioxidative system that is present in plant cells are discussed and also reviewed the role of ROS in the cell signalling.