The organization of redox signaling and the use of nitric oxide (NO) to transmit information, modulate biological processes or create cellular damage are highly complex. Recent reports provide an exceptional picture of NO production, of the regulation of NO bioactivity through detoxification reactions and of biochemical events by which NO transduces signals into cellular responses, in particular during disease resistance. Furthermore, other exciting reports on NO function in germination, growth and reproduction support the view that NO is a 'do it all' molecule that plays a crucial role during the entire lifespan of the plant.