Signal Function Studies of ROS, Especially RBOH-Dependent ROS, in Plant Growth, Development and Environmental Stress

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are well known for their dual functions in plants. On the one hand, ROS were once thought to be harmful to plants because their excessive accumulation might lead to oxidative stress and cause cell injury in severe cases. On the other hand, a timely and appropriate burst of ROS acts as an important signal for plant growth, development and defence against environmental stress. ROS are common molecules in various plant metabolic processes and can be generated almost anywhere in plant cells. NADPH oxidase located on the plasma membrane, also known as the RBOH protein, provides a very important ROS synthesis pathway. This article briefly summarizes the signal functions of ROS, especially RBOH-dependent ROS, in plant growth, development and defence against abiotic and biotic stress in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).