Lorenzo Lamattina – författare

This book describes the three gasotransmitters nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and carbon monoxide (CO) and their function as intracellular signalling molecules in plants.

Common properties are shared by NO, H2S and CO: they are beneficial at low concentrations but hazardous in higher amounts; they are small molecules of gas; they can freely cross cell membranes; their effects do not rely on receptors; they are generated enzymatically and their production is regulated; their functions can be mimicked by exogenous application; and their cellular effects may or may not be mediated by second messengers, but have specific cellular and molecular targets.

In plants, many aspects of the biology of gasotransmitters remain completely unknown and generate intriguing questions, which will be discussed in this book.

Recent advances in the study of nitric oxide (NO) biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology in plants are presented in this book, providing an overview of current understanding of the NO actions involved in adaptive responses of plant fitness to environmental constraints. The special emphasis is on NO-dependent signalling, molecular adjustments and targets as key elements in plant growth, development and stress physiology.

The first part of the book is devoted to the description of key features related to NO biochemistry, synthesis and metabolism and the modes of action involved. The second part covers the functionality of NO in three central nodes of the plant life cycle: growth, development and stress physiology. Finally, a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of fluorometric detection of NO in plant research brings to light information necessary for understanding the limitations of the method.