On the Origin and Fate of Reactive Oxygen Species in Plant Cell Compartments

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been recognized as important signaling compoundsof major importance in a number of developmental and physiological processes in plants. Theexistence of cellular compartments enables efficient redox compartmentalization and ensuresproper functioning of ROS‐dependent signaling pathways. Similar to other organisms, theproduction of individual ROS in plant cells is highly localized and regulated bycompartment‐specific enzyme pathways on transcriptional and post‐translational level. ROSmetabolism and signaling in specific compartments are greatly affected by their chemicalinteractions with other reactive radical species, ROS scavengers and antioxidant enzymes. Adysregulation of the redox status, as a consequence of induced ROS generation or decreasedcapacity of their removal, occurs in plants exposed to diverse stress conditions. During stresscondition, strong induction of ROS‐generating systems or attenuated ROS scavenging can lead tooxidative or nitrosative stress conditions, associated with potential damaging modifications of cellbiomolecules. Here, we present an overview of compartment‐specific pathways of ROS productionand degradation and mechanisms of ROS homeostasis control within plant cell compartments.