Hormetic action of cyanide: plant gasotransmitter and poison

Abstract

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) occurs in living organisms and in the environment. This is a widely known poison but is also considered as a gasotransmitter. For most higher plants, microorganisms and animals HCN is toxic, especially at elevated concentrations. However, plants’ sensitivity to this compound is lower than animals’ due to the activity of an alternative oxidase in the mitochondrial respiration chain. All higher plants synthesize HCN as a co-product during the final step of ethylene biosynthesis, whilst some plant species release it from cyanogenic compounds, accumulated for diverse physiological purposes. This molecule is used as a toxic bomb against herbivores, as a source of nitrogen in N-deficient plants, or as a regulator of seed dormancy state. The toxicity of HCN is mainly due to the inhibition of the activity of several metalloenzymes: iron-containing enzymes, molybdoenzymes and enzymes that contain zinc or copper. HCN impacts cellular metabolism by modulation of the reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species levels, and via modifications of proteins (S-cyanylation, oxidation). The aim of this work is to describe the dual (toxic and signalling) mode of cyanide action in plants at a cellular level.