Oxidation of membrane lipids by reactive oxygen species primarily generates lipid peroxides, from which various carbonyls, i.e., aldehydes and ketones, are formed. Among them, those with a carbonyl-conjugated C-C double bond have significant biological functions and are designated as reactive carbonyl species (RCS). A dozen kinds of RCS occurring in plant cells have a broad spectrum of reactivity and biological effects, depending on the structure. Several RCS have been recently found to activate caspase-like proteases in plants, thereby initiating PCD. Comprehensive and quantitative RCS analysis method using conventional HPLC is illustrated.
Keywords: 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine; HPLC; Reactive carbonyl species; Reactive electrophile species.