We reported previously that salinity-induced
elongation constraints in the expansion zone
of maize leaves are associated with reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and could be alleviated by the addition
of ROS. The NaCl effect was salt-specific and not osmotic. This paper explores the causes for such reduction. The decrease in ROS levels under salinity was not accompanied by increases in soluble apoplastic antioxidant activities such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidases and ascorbate. In experimental systems devoid
of cell walls (protoplasts and membrane fractions) superoxide anion (O
2−) production was inhibited by 50 and 100 mM NaCl, 50 μM DPI, 10 mM EGTA, and 5 mM verapamil, a Ca
2+ channel inhibitor. Inhibitory effects
of NaCl and reduced Ca
2+ supply were also observed in
in gel assessment
of O
2−-generating activity. The main activity band excised from the ND-PAGE was recognized by an antibody against the C-terminal portion
of the tomato gp91
phox homolog. These results indicate the
O
2−-generating activity negatively affected by NaCl was compatible with that
of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase.