Selective silencing of 2Cys and type-IIB Peroxiredoxins discloses their roles in cell redox state and stress signaling

Peroxiredoxins (Prx) catalyse the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and, in association with catalases and other peroxidases, may participate in signal transduction by regulating intercellular H2O2 concentration that in turn can control gene transcription and cell signaling. Using virus-induced-gene-silencing (VIGS), 2-Cys Peroxiredoxin (2CysPrx) family and type-II Peroxiredoxin B (PrxIIB) gene were silenced in Nicotiana benthamiana, to study the impact that the loss of function of each Prx would have in the antioxidant system under control (22 °C) and severe heat stress conditions (48 °C). The results showed that both Prxs, although in different organelles, influence the regeneration of ascorbate to a significant extent, but with different purposes. 2CysPrx affects abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis through ascorbate, while PrxIIB does it probably through the xanthophyll cycle. Moreover, 2CysPrx is key in H2O2 scavenging and in consequence in the regulation of ABA signaling downstream of reactive oxygen species and PrxIIB provides an important assistance for H2O2 peroxisome scavenges.