Nitric oxide burst and nitric oxide-dependent gene induction in plants

Nitric oxide (NO) is considered as a widespread signaling molecule involved in the regulation of an impressive spectrum of mammalian cellular functions including redox-regulated signaling and immune responses. Recently, NO occurrence in plants has received much attention. Plants not only respond to atmospheric NO, but also possess enzymatic capacities to produce NO. First investigations into NO functions suggested that NO mediates plant defense responses against pathogens and that plants use NO as a signaling molecule via pathways remarkably similar to those found in mammals. These results reveal additional similarities between plant and animal host responses to infection. Here, we present data on the NO burst induced by elicitor treatment of tobacco, and we show that NO treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants induces transcription of several genes associated with defense responses.