Redox homeostasis in plants. The challenge of living with endogenous oxygen production

Abstract

Plants are not only obligate aerobic organisms requiring oxygen for mitochondrial energy production, but also produce oxygen during photosynthesis. Therefore, plant cells have to cope with a hyperoxic cellular environment that determines a production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) higher than the one occurring in animal cells. In order to maintain redox homeostasis under control, plants evolved a particularly complex and redundant ROS-scavenging system, in which enzymes and metabolites are linked in a network of reactions. This review gives an overview of the mechanisms active in plant cells for controlling redox homeostasis during optimal growth conditions, when ROS are produced in a steady-state low amount, and during stress conditions, when ROS production is increased. Particular attention is paid to the aspects of oxygen/ROS management for which plant and animal cells differ.