Oxidative stress activates ATMPK6, an Arabidopsis homologue of MAP kinase.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades function in biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. We analysed effect of oxidative stress on the activation of ATMPK6, an Arabidopsis thaliana MAPK, in Arabidopsis T87 cultured cells and rosette leaves using anti-ATMPK6 specific antibody. ATMPK6 in T87 cells was strongly activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H(2)O(2) and KO(2). In leaves, ATMPK6 was activated by paraquat and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (a catalase inhibitor). These results indicate that ATMPK6 is one of the candidates for signal mediators in response to abiotic or biotic sources for ROS in Arabidopsis.