EPR-detected NO biosynthesis via nitrate reductase in non-climacteric pepper fruit: downregulation by ripening, peroxynitrite and H2S

This study presents the first direct evidence of nitric oxide (•NO) production in ripening pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) and identifies the specific enzyme responsible for its generation. By clarifying the enzymatic origin of •NO, this research enhances our understanding of the redox signaling...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Corpas, Francisco J., Taboada, Jorge, Sánchez-Romera, Beatriz, Huang, D., López-Jaramillo, Javier, Palma Martínez, José Manuel
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2026
Country:España
Institution:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repository:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::a040abbfbf3ae552eff688bd8e26830f
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/428695
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Hydrogen sulfide
Nitric oxide
Nitrate reductase
Pepper fruits
Peroxynitrite
Ripening
Description
Summary:This study presents the first direct evidence of nitric oxide (•NO) production in ripening pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) and identifies the specific enzyme responsible for its generation. By clarifying the enzymatic origin of •NO, this research enhances our understanding of the redox signaling mechanisms involved in the development of non-climacteric pepper fruits. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy combined with a spin-trapping technique, •NO production was directly detected at various stages of ripening. Enzymatic assays confirmed that the nitrite- and NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)-dependent nitrate reductase (NR) activity is responsible for the •NO generation, while RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) identified a single nitrate reductase (CaNR) gene as the likely source of •NO. A recombinant CaNR protein was expressed and demons