title: Biophoton distress flares signal the onset of the hypersensitive reaction.
abstract: Detection of biophoton emission, a natural bioluminescence, has emerged as a non-destructive method to mark the onset of the hypersensitive resistance reaction in Arabidopsis, bean and tomato. Rapid biophoton emission in Arabidopsis requires an intact R-gene signalling network and increased levels of cytosolic calcium and nitric oxide. The burst of biophotons precedes macroscopic symptoms by several hours and its timing is characteristic for specific gene-for-gene interactions. The ability to monitor biophoton emission from whole plants in real time should allow detailed dissection of plant defence responses.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College, Division of Biology, Wye Campus, Ashford, Kent, UK TN25 5AH. j.mansfield@ac.uk
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mansfield
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000276:immunology; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000276:immunology; D017785:Photons; D010935:Plant Diseases
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers