Nitric oxide acts as an antioxidant and inhibits programmed cell death induced by aluminum in the root tips of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Aluminum (Al) causes programmed cell death (PCD) in plants. Our previous studies have confirmed that nitric oxide (NO) inhibits Al-induced PCD in the root tips of peanut. However, the mechanism by which NO inhibits Al-induced PCD is unclear. Here the effects of NO on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), expression of alternative oxidase (AhAOX) and cytochrome oxidase (AhCOX) were investigated in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) root tips treated with Al. The results showed that Al stress induced rapid accumulation of H2O2 and MDA and increased the ratio of SOD/APX. The up-regulation of AhAOX and AhCOX expressions was not enough to inhibit PCD occurrence. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) decreased the ratio of SOD/APX and eliminated excess H2O2 and MDA, thereby inhibiting Al-induced PCD in the root tips of peanut. The expression of AhAOX and AhCOX was significantly enhanced in Al-induced PCD treated with SNP. But cPTIO (a NO specific scavenger) supply had the opposite effect. Taken together, these results suggested that lipid peroxidation induced by higher levels of H2O2 was an important cause of Al-induced PCD. NO-mediated inhibition of Al-induced PCD was related to a significant elimination of H2O2 accumulation by decreasing the ratio of SOD/APX and up-regulating the expression of AhAOX and AhCOX.