[NO may function in the downstream of H2O2 in ABA-induced stomatal closure in Vicia faba L].

It is usually suggested that either H(2)O(2) or NO function as a signal molecule in mediating the ABA-induced stomatal closure of guard cells, but there has been no report on the relationship between H(2)O(2) and NO in ABA signal transduction pathway. Here, using stomatal analysis and laser scanning cofocal microscope techniques, we show firstly that NO functions as a downstream intermediate of H(2)O(2) signaling to mediate ABA-induced stomatal closure in Vicia faba L. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) and H(2)O(2) can mimic the effects of ABA on stomatal closure. Carboxy-PTIO (c-PTIO, a specific scavenger of NO) partly reverse the stomatal closure induced by ABA or H(2)O(2), while catalase (CAT), a H(2)O(2) scavenger, failed to reverse the NO-induced aperture reduction in Vicia faba guard cells. Monitoring the changes in both NO and H(2)O(2) generation in guard cells by using fluorescent probe of NO or H(2)O(2), DAF-2DA or H2DCFDA, respectively, we found that the generating rate of H(2)O(2) in guard cells was faster than that of NO after being treated with ABA 10 micromol/L. CAT almost completely inhibited the increase in DAF fluorescence induced by ABA. Similar to ABA, exogenous H(2)O(2) provoked the production of NO. c-PTIO slightly enhanced the fluorescent intensity of DCF stimulated by ABA, while exogenous SNP did not increase DCF fluorescence in guard cells. Taken together, these results suggest that H(2)O(2) could probably act as upstream component of NO signaling and NO negatively regulate H(2)O(2) generation during ABA-induced stomatal closure in guard cells.