Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Regulation of Plant Development and Resistance to Moisture Deficiency

Abstract

Nitric oxide is a universal signaling molecule involved in the modulation of metabolic activity during the normal growth and development of plants, and in the formation of their resistance to environmental stressors. The review presents key information that reflects the current state of the problem of the regulatory role of NO in plants. Brief information on physicochemical properties of NO, methods of its research, ways of biosynthesis and functional activity at different stages of plant development (germination, vegetative growth, flowering, root formation, symbiosis, mineral nutrition) are given.In addition, the appearance of the protective effects of NO under conditions of moisture deficiency is described, since disturbance of the water regime and dehydration of plants is observed under the influence of various abiotic stress factors, including drought, salinity, hypo- and hyperthermia. Particular attention is paid to the molecular mechanisms of NO-dependent signaling, which are implemented in plants at the genomic, proteomic and post-proteomic levels during multiple nitration reactions. Understanding the mechanisms of regulatory action of NO in normal and under stress is of important theoretical and applied importance in connection with the need for a fundamental justification of the possibility of practical use of NO in order to increase the stability and productivity of cultivated plants.