Effects of Abiotic Stresses on Cell Cycle Progression in Tobacco BY-2 Cells

Mild stresses such as high temperature (30 degrees C) or a low H2O2 concentration induced transient cell cycle arrest at G1/S or G2/M depending on the cell cycle stage at which the stress was applied. When stresses were introduced during G0 or G1, the G1/S checkpoint was mainly used; when stresses were introduced after S phase, G2/M was the primary checkpoint. The slowing of cell cycle progression was associated with transient delays in expression of A-, B-, and D-type cyclins. The delay in expression of NtcycA13, one of the A-type cyclins, was most pronounced. The levels of expression of Ntcyc29 (a cyclin B gene) and of CycD3-1 differed most depending on the applied stress, suggesting that different cellular adjustments to mild heat and a low concentration of H2O2 are reflected in the expression of these two cyclins.