Hydrogen Peroxide in Plant's Life

Abstract

This review summarizes the current knowledge about different aspects of hydrogen peroxide roles in plant's life. It focuses on its metabolism and effects on plant cells. The effect of hydrogen peroxide is concentration-dependent. At high concentrations, hydrogen peroxide serves as a toxic molecule which may cause oxidative damage to cellular structures and biomolecules. In contrast, it is an important signaling molecule that acts at low concentrations and facilitates information flow in plant cells. Hydrogen peroxide also interacts with multiple signaling pathways, including those of phytohormones. The most comprehensive insight into the complexity of hydrogen peroxide effects was recently described in the seed germination process and it is presented here in more detail. Although hydrogen peroxide participates in regulation of multiple developmental processes, it is not considered to be a phytohormone. The reasons are discussed in the final part of this review.