Expanding roles for S-nitrosylation in the regulation of plant immunity

Following pathogen recognition, plant cells produce a nitrosative burst resulting in a striking increase in nitric oxide (NO), altering the redox state of the cell, which subsequently helps orchestrate a plethora of immune responses. NO is a potent redox cue, efficiently relayed between proteins through its co-valent attachment to highly specific, powerfully reactive protein cysteine (Cys) thiols, resulting in formation of protein S-nitrosothiols (SNOs). This process, known as S-nitrosylation, can modulate the function of target proteins, enabling respon-siveness to cellular redox changes. Key targets of S-nitrosylation control the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the transcription of immune-response genes, the triggering of the hypersensitive response (HR) and the establishment of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Here, we bring together recent advances in the control of plant immunity by S-nitrosylation, furthering our appreciation of how changes in cellular redox status reprogramme plant immune function.

Automated summary

After pathogen recognition, plant cells generate a burst of nitrosative products, such as nitric oxide (NO), which alter the cell's redox state and contribute to immune response orchestration. NO can modify target proteins through covalent attachment to specific cysteine (Cys) thiols, forming protein S-nitrosothiols (SNOs). This process, known as S-nitrosylation, regulates key processes in plant immunity, including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), immune response gene expression, hypersensitive response (HR) triggering, and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) establishment.