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Submitted to: Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2003 Publication Date: 2/1/2004 Citation: Baker, C.J. Reactive oxygen and oxidative metabolism: roles in disease resistance. Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research. Interpretive Summary: Oxidative metabolism and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by it impact numerous facets of normal life in both plants and animals. During times of disease and environmental stress when oxidative metabolism is accelerated, this impact is even greater. ROS oxidizes surrounding molecules, often causing physiological or structural damage to the host (environmental stresses, e.g. drought, air pollution) or pathogen (animal phagocytes; plant hypersensitive response). This has led to nearly opposite biotechnological strategies (increase antioxidants for environmental stress; increase endogenous ROS for disease resistance) for developing transgenic plants resistant to these different stresses and has met with limited success. Oxidative metabolism and ROS play another equally important role through changes in the cellular redox status (tendency for molecules to gain or lose electrons). Redox status co-regulates many key events including signal transduction, transcription factors, kinase and phosphatase activation, protein synthesis, and enzyme activation. The comprehensive nature of oxidative metabolism makes it a critical consideration in any biotechnology strategy to improve plants and animal resistance. Analytical techniques need to be researched and developed to monitor key parameters of oxidative metabolism for this endeavor. The new knowledge gained from the use of these techniques would aid scientists in the development of disease resistant plants. Technical Abstract: Oxidative metabolism and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by it impact numerous facets of normal life in both plants and animals. During times of disease and environmental stress when oxidative metabolism is accelerated, this impact is even greater. ROS oxidizes surrounding molecules often causing physiological or structural damage to the host (environmental stresses, e.g. drought, air pollution) or pathogen (animal phagocytes; plant hypersensitive response). This has led to nearly opposite biotechnological strategies (increase antioxidants for environmental stress; increase endogenous ROS for disease resistance) for developing transgenic plants resistant to these different stresses and has met with limited success. Oxidative metabolism and ROS play another equally important role through changes in the cellular redox status (tendency for molecules to gain or lose electrons). Redox status co-regulates many key events including signal transduction, transcription factors, kinase and phosphatase activation, protein synthesis, and enzyme activation. The comprehensive nature of oxidative metabolism makes it a critical consideration in any biotechnology strategy to improve plants and animal resistance. Analytical techniques need to be researched and developed to monitor key parameters of oxidative metabolism for this endeavor. |
