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  • The EMBO Journal (2000) 19, 6770 - 6777
  • doi:10.1093/emboj/19.24.6770

Stress induces peroxisome biogenesis genes

Eduardo Lopez-Huertas1,2, Wayne L Charlton1, Barbara Johnson1, Ian A Graham3 and Alison Baker1

  1. Centre for Plant Sciences, Leeds Institute for Biotechnology and Agriculture, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
  2. Present address: Puleva Biotech, 66 Camino de Purchil, Granada 18004, Spain
  3. Centre for Novel Agicultural Products, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO1 5DD, UK

Correspondence to:

Alison Baker, E-mail: a.baker@leeds.ac.uk

Received 11 July 2000; Accepted 25 September 2000; Revised 25 September 2000

Peroxisomes are the cellular location of many antioxidants and are themselves significant producers of reactive oxygen species. In this report we demonstrate the induction of peroxisome biogenesis genes in both plant and animal cells by the universal stress signal molecule hydrogen peroxide. Using PEX1–LUC transgenic plants, rapid local and systemic induction of PEX1–luciferase could be demonstrated in vivo in response to physiological levels of hydrogen peroxide. PEX1–luciferase was also induced in response to wounding and to infection with an avirulent pathogen. We propose a model in which various stress situations that lead to the production of hydrogen peroxide can be ameliorated by elaboration of the peroxisome compartment to assist in restoration of the cellular redox balance.

  • Keywords:

    • hydrogen peroxide,
    • oxidative stress,
    • PEX genes,
    • plant pathogenesis,
    • wounding