The potential physiological implications of polygalacturonic acid-mediated production of superoxide

PGA/OGA/PF represent apoplastic signaling molecules implicated in the control of gene expression and the activity of enzymes involved in defense regulation. However, the underlying mechanisms behind such processes are lacking. Here we unequivocally show using EPR spectroscopy with DEPMPO spin-trap capable of differentiating between (OH)-O-. and O-.(2) that PGA and PF can produce O-.(2) by transforming (OH)-O-.. The potential physiological implications of this unique property are discussed. We propose that PGA/OGA/PF could represent the initiators of redox signaling cascades in stress response, with H2O2 being a downstream secondary messenger.