Fusicoccin (FC) is a well-known phytotoxin able to induce in Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore) cultured cells, a set of responses similar to those induced by stress conditions. In this work, the possible involvement of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) in FC-induced stress responses was studied measuring both in the presence and in the absence of 2,6,8-trihydroxypurine (urate), a specific ONOO- scavenger: (1) cell death; (2) specific DNA fragmentation; (3) lipid peroxidation; (4) production of RNS and ROS; (5) activity of caspase-3-like proteases; and (6) release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, variations in the levels of molecular chaperones Hsp90 in the mitochondria and Hsp70 BiP in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and of regulatory 14-3-3 proteins in the cytosol. The obtained results indicate a role for ONOO- in the FC-induced responses. In particular, ONOO- seems involved in a PCD form showing apoptotic features such as specific DNA fragmentation, caspase-3-like protease activity, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria.
Keywords: Acer pseudoplatanus L. cultured cells; apoptosis; cell death; defense response; fusicoccin; reactive nitrogen species; reactive oxygen species; urate.