外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明:外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

外源α-萘乙酸对花期长期干旱大豆叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以不同耐旱型品种‘南农99-6’和‘科丰1号’大豆为材料,2012年在南京农业大学牌楼试验站进行为期110 d的盆栽试验,研究大豆花期叶面喷施α-萘乙酸(NAA)对长期干旱条件下大豆植株抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明: 干旱胁迫显著降低了大豆地上部干物质量,叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及活性氧(ROS)水平显著升高,同时,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（MDHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性,还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值显著升高,其中‘科丰1号’大豆的抗氧化能力更高,从而维持较低的ROS水平和MDA含量.NAA可显著提高叶片中的APX、POD、CAT、MDHAR活性及AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,其中‘科丰1号’大豆叶片的脱氢抗坏血栓还原酶（DHAR）活性和AsA含量极显著增加.     

5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)对盐胁迫下葡萄叶片中AsA-GSH循环的影响

以两个耐盐程度不同的葡萄品种‘夏黑’(耐盐性较弱)和‘里扎马特’(耐盐性较强)为材料,分析了不同浓度ALA对不同浓度盐胁迫下葡萄叶片中AsA-GSH循环的影响。研究表明:喷施75 mg·L-1 ALA可显著提高2 g·kg-1盐胁迫下‘夏黑’葡萄叶片中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)的活性以及还原型抗坏血酸(As A)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,显著降低氢抗坏血酸(DHA)与氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量;而喷施150 mg·L-1 ALA可显著提高4 g·kg-1盐胁迫下‘里扎马特’葡萄叶片中APX、GR、MDHAR、DHAR的活性以及AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,显著降低DHA与GSSG含量。     

硫化氢对盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的调控效应

盐碱胁迫是植物遭受的常见非生物胁迫之一,气体信号硫化氢(H₂S)在植物响应盐碱胁迫中发挥着重要作用。为探讨H₂S对盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环的调控效应,以品种‘定莜9号’为材料,研究了喷施H₂S供体硫氢化钠(NaHS)或H₂S合成抑制剂羟胺(HA)对盐碱混合胁迫下植株生长、叶片活性氧、膜脂过氧化和AsA-GSH循环中抗氧化物质和关键酶的影响。结果表明: 喷施50 μmol·L^-1 NaHS可缓解50 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合胁迫对裸燕麦生长的抑制,降低超氧阴离子、H₂O₂、丙二醛、氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,提高AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG,而对还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量无显著影响。喷施NaHS还提高了盐碱混合胁迫下裸燕麦叶片AsA合成关键酶L-半乳糖脱氢酶(GalDH)和L-半乳糖-1,4-内酯脱氢酶(GalLDH)及AsA-GSH循环中单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)活性,降低了抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性,而对抗坏血酸氧化酶(AO)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性的影响不大。增添HA后部分或完全解除了喷施NaHS的上述作用。这说明H₂S可通过促进AsA合成和增强MDHAR活性提高AsA-GSH循环效率,降低盐碱胁迫对裸燕麦的氧化伤害。     

外源α-萘乙酸对花期长期干旱大豆叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以不同耐旱型品种‘南农99-6’和‘科丰1号’大豆为材料,2012年在南京农业大学牌楼试验站进行为期110 d的盆栽试验,研究大豆花期叶面喷施α-萘乙酸(NAA)对长期干旱条件下大豆植株抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:干旱胁迫显著降低了大豆地上部干物质量,叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及活性氧(ROS)水平显著升高,同时,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性,还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值显著升高,其中‘科丰1号’大豆的抗氧化能力更高,从而维持较低的ROS水平和MDA含量.NAA可显著提高叶片中的APX、POD、CAT、MDHAR活性及AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,其中‘科丰1号’大豆叶片的脱氢抗坏血栓还原酶(DHAR)活性和AsA含量极显著增加.     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明：外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L^-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L^-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响

以‘津春4号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,采用叶面喷施的方法,研究了外源褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响.结果表明:高温胁迫后,黄瓜幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量明显增加;还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量持续下降,脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量逐渐升高,AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG大幅下降;抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APx)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性明显升高,并在12 h达到最大.外施褪黑素能有效抑制高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片H2O2和MDA的积累,提高抗氧化物质AsA和GSH含量及抗坏血酸代谢相关酶APx、MDHAR、DHAR和GR活性,从而增强对H2O2的清除能力,抑制活性氧的产生,维持细胞膜的稳定性,减轻高温对植株造成的伤害,提高黄瓜幼苗抵御高温胁迫的能力.     

海藻酸铈配合物对毒死蜱胁迫下菠菜叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

以菠菜(Spinacia oleracea L.)为材料,研究了毒死蜱胁迫下海藻酸铈配合物对菠菜叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响。结果表明,在毒死蜱胁迫下,菠菜叶片中H2O2积累量比对照明显增加,非酶促抗氧化物质-抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量明显降低,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)的活性明显升高。在毒死蜱胁迫下,喷施不同浓度的海藻酸铈配合物使菠菜叶片中的H2O2积累量减少,AsA和GSH含量升高,APX、GR、DHAR和MDAR等抗氧化酶活性也有所提高,缓解了毒死蜱胁迫。试验表明,适宜浓度的海藻酸铈配合物处理可使菠菜叶片对毒死蜱胁迫有一定的缓解作用。     

老化处理对大豆种子活力及线粒体抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

以大豆‘中黄13’为材料,研究人工老化后大豆种子活力及线粒体抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽（ASC-GSH）循环的变化。结果表明,随老化时间的延长,大豆种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数均显著下降;老化种子的相对电导率和丙二醛（MDA）含量随着老化时间的延长逐渐增大,超氧阴离子（O₂?^-）产生速率和过氧化氢（H₂O₂）含量呈现先升高后降低的趋势;与对照相比,老化种子中线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶（COX）和苹果酸脱氢酶（MDH）活性显著下降,呼吸速率和呼吸控制率（RCR）显著降低;老化种子中线粒体超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（MDHAR）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）和谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）的活性以及总ASC和GSH含量显著降低,说明老化导致活性氧（ROS）代谢异常,线粒体呼吸功能及ASC-GSH循环紊乱。ROS的过量积累可能是导致种子活力丧失的主要原因。     

不同耐铝型杉木幼苗叶片抗氧化系统对铝胁迫的响应特征

为探讨铝胁迫对杉木抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环的影响,明确AsA-GSH循环在杉木耐铝性中的作用,以耐铝(YX26)和铝敏感型(YX5)杉木家系为材料,分析了铝胁迫对不同耐铝型杉木叶片氧化损伤、抗氧化酶活性和AsA-GSH循环系统的影响。结果表明:(1)铝胁迫显著增加杉木叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量,而且YX5叶片中MDA含量增幅显著大于YX26。(2)铝胁迫不同程度增加了2个杉木家系叶片过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)活性以及抗坏血酸(AsA)、脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,而且除AsA含量外,铝胁迫下YX26中上述酶活性和非酶性抗氧化剂含量的增幅均大于YX5。(3)铝胁迫下YX5叶片中过氧化氢酶(CAT)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)的活性受到显著抑制,而YX26中这两个酶的活性却有所增加,且YX26中的DHAR活性显著高于对照。(4)铝胁迫抑制了2个杉木家系超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,但YX26中SOD活性的降幅小于YX5。研究认为,铝胁迫下通过维持AsA-GSH循环酶活性和非酶性抗氧化系统的高效运转,增强自身活性氧清除能力是耐铝型杉木家系具有较强铝耐能力的生理基础。     

四季桂抗氧化防御系统对干旱、高温及协同胁迫的响应

以天香台阁四季桂(Osmanthus fragrans cv. ‘Tian Xiang TaiGe’)为材料, 研究干旱(轻度、中度和重度)、高温(40°C)及干旱高温协同胁迫对四季桂叶片抗氧化防御系统的影响。结果显示, 干旱胁迫下, 四季桂活性氧(ROS)逐渐积累, 膜脂过氧化程度加深; 轻度和中度干旱胁迫下, 抗氧化酶活性显著升高; 重度干旱胁迫下, 抗坏血酸(AsA)及其还原力(AsA/DHA)显著降低, 谷胱甘肽(GSH)及其还原力(GSH/GSSG)以及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环相关酶活性呈先上升后下降的趋势, 在中度干旱胁迫时达到峰值。高温胁迫显著增强ROS积累、抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化剂含量及AsA-GSH循环效率。干旱高温协同胁迫下, 四季桂所受伤害大于单一胁迫, ROS在抗氧化酶的作用下增幅减缓; 随着胁迫强度的加剧, AsA-GSH循环效率呈先增加后下降的趋势, 重度协同胁迫时显著降低, 无法维持氧化还原平衡。四季桂在干旱高温胁迫下能快速启动体内抗氧化防御系统, 清除体内过量的ROS, 增加机体还原力, 以减缓胁迫带来的伤害。     

Ascorbate glutathione antioxidant system alleviates fly ash stress by modulating growth physiology and biochemical responses in Solanum lycopersicum

Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were developed in soils with different fly ash (FA) amendments (25, 50, 75, 100% FA) to measure the effects of FA on metal accumulation, chlorophyll pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, growth, biomass, gas exchange parameters, and the ascorbate glutathione pathway (AsA-GSH). The metal concentration was much higher in FA compared to the garden soil/(control). The observed metal translocation was higher in roots than shoots. Plants raised in soils treated with 50% or more FA showed significant decreases in growth, biomass, gas exchange parameters, protein, chlorophyll pigments, and fluorescence parameters. Additionally, a significant increase in antioxidants under higher FA-amended soils were observed. Our results showed that the ability of Solanum lycopersicum plants to effectively synchronize the actions of antioxidant enzymes associated in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging – notably superoxidase dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) – with good maintenance of the AsA/DHA ratio, that could be connected to FA stress tolerance. The toxic metals present in FA caused oxidative stress in Solanum lycopersicum, as evident from the increase in electrolyte leakage (EL), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and ROS levels. Furthermore, the AsA-GSH cycle plays a key role in alleviating oxidative damage caused by FA application.     

Potassium starvation induces oxidative stress inSolanum lycopersicumL. roots

The relationship between potassium deficiency and the antioxidative defense system has received little study. The aim of this work was to study the induction of oxidative stress in response to K(+) deficiency and the putative role of antioxidants. The tomato plants were grown in hydroponic systems to determine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the root response to potassium deprivation. Parameters of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) concentration), activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR)) and antioxidant molecules (ascorbate (ASC) and glutathione) were investigated. H(2)O(2) was subcellularly located by laser confocal microscopy after potassium starvation in roots. During the first 24h, H(2)O(2) induced the cascade of the cellular response to low potassium, and ROS accumulation was located mainly in epidermal cells in the elongation zone and meristematic cells of the root tip and the epidermal cells of the mature zones of potassium starved roots. The activity of the antioxidative enzymes SOD, peroxidase and APX in potassium deprivation significantly increased, whereas CAT and DHAR activity was significantly depressed in the potassium starvation treatment compared to controls. GR did not show significant differences between control and potassium starvation treatments. Based on these results, we put forward the hypothesis that antioxidant molecule accumulations probably scavenge H(2)O(2) and might be regenerated by the ASC-glutathione cycle enzymes, such as DHAR and GR.     

Cadmium causes oxidative stress in mung bean by affecting the antioxidant enzyme system and ascorbate-glutathione cycle metabolism

Ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) cycle metabolism is an essential mechanism for the resistance of plants under stress conditions. In a greenhouse pot experiment, the influence of cadmium (Cd) (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg soil) on plant dry weight and leaf area, photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and chlorophyll (Chl) content) and oxidative stress, and the possible protective role of AsA-GSH cycle metabolism was studied in two mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.) cvs. Pusa 9531 (Cd-tolerant) and PS 16 (Cd-susceptible) at 30 days after sowing. The contents of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), H₂O₂, and the leakage of ions were the highest at 100 mg Cd/kg soil, and the effect was more pronounced in cv. PS 16 than in cv. Pusa 9531. This was concomitant with the strongest decreases in P_N, plant dry weight, and leaf area. The changes in the AsA-GSH redox state and an increase in AsA-GSH-regenerating enzymes, such as glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and other antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, strongly supported over-utilization of AsA-GSH in Cd-treated plants. However, the oxidative stress caused by Cd toxicity was partially overcome by AsA-GSH-based detoxification mechanism in the two genotypes studied because an increases in lipid peroxidation (TBARS, ion leakage) and H₂O₂ content were accompanied by a corresponding decrease in reduced AsA and GSH pools. Thus, changes in AsA-GSH pools and the coordination between AsA-GSH-regenerating enzymes and other enzymatic antioxidants of the leaves suggest their relevance to the defense against Cd stress.     

Metal/metalloid stress tolerance in plants: role of ascorbate,its redox couple,and associated enzymes

The enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under metal/metalloid stress is most common in plants, and the elevated ROS must be successfully metabolized in order to maintain plant growth, development, and productivity. Ascorbate (AsA) is a highly abundant metabolite and a water-soluble antioxidant, which besides positively influencing various aspects in plants acts also as an enigmatic component of plant defense armory. As a significant component of the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) pathway, it performs multiple vital functions in plants including growth and development by either directly or indirectly metabolizing ROS and its products. Enzymes such as monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) maintain the reduced form of AsA pool besides metabolically controlling the ratio of AsA with its oxidized form (dehydroascorbate, DHA). Ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) utilizes the reduced AsA pool as the specific electron donor during ROS metabolism. Thus, AsA, its redox couple (AsA/DHA), and related enzymes (MDHAR, DHAR, and APX) cumulatively form an AsA redox system to efficiently protect plants particularly against potential anomalies caused by ROS and its products. Here we present a critical assessment of the recent research reports available on metal/metalloid-accrued modulation of reduced AsA pool, AsA/DHA redox couple and AsA-related major enzymes, and the cumulative significance of these antioxidant system components in plant metal/metalloid stress tolerance.     

外源NO和SA对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化及AsA-GSH循环的影响

以番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)品种‘秦丰保冠’为试材,在水培条件下研究单独和复配施用一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)、水杨酸(SA)对100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗的生长、叶片光合作用、膜脂过氧化及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环的影响。结果显示,盐胁迫能显著影响番茄幼苗的生长、光合作用和活性氧代谢系统的相关指标。单独或复配施用SNP、SA均能有效缓解番茄幼苗的盐渍伤害,并以SNP和SA复配处理效果最好。处理3~7 d时,叶片PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、净光合速率(Pn)、APX、GR、DHAR的活性、AsA和GSH含量分别较胁迫处理有不同程度的提高;而H2O2、MDA、DHA、GSSG的含量和电解质渗漏率分别较胁迫处理有不同程度的降低。研究结果表明盐胁迫下外源NO、SA单独或复配处理均能通过维持或协调作用促进番茄相关抗氧化酶活性的提高和抑制抗氧化剂含量的降低,起到维持AsA-GSH循环高效运转、减轻膜脂过氧化、促进光合作用、改善植株生长发育和提高幼苗盐渍抗性的作用,且NO和SA复配处理时具有协同增效的作用。     

Reduced mitochondrial and ascorbate–glutathione activity after artificial ageing in soybean seed

The effect of artificial ageing on the relationship between mitochondrial activities and the antioxidant system was studied in soybean seeds (Glycine max L. cv. Zhongdou No. 27). Ageing seeds for 18 d and 41 d at 40 °C reduced germination from 99% to 52% and 0%, respectively. In comparison to the control, malondialdehyde content and leachate conductivity in aged seeds increased and were associated with membrane damage. Transmission electron microscopy and Percoll density gradient centrifugation showed that aged seeds mainly contained poorly developed mitochondria in which respiration and marker enzymes activities were significantly reduced. Heavy mitochondria isolated from the interface of the 21% and 40% Percoll were analyzed. Mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes activities including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase were significantly reduced in aged seeds. A decrease in total ascorbic acid (ASC) and glutathione (GSH) content as well as the reduced/oxidized ratio of ASC and GSH in mitochondria with prolonged ageing showed that artificial ageing reduced ASC–GSH cycle activity. These results suggested an elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the aged seeds, which was confirmed by measurements of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide levels. We conclude that mitochondrial dysfunction in artificially aged seeds is due to retarded mitochondrial and ASC-GSH cycle activity and elevated ROS accumulation.     

Ectopic expression of Brassica rapa L. MDHAR increased tolerance to freezing stress by enhancing antioxidant systems of host plants

Ascorbate (vitamin C) plays an important role in detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in most living organisms. Monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR; EC 1.6.5.4) is crucial to regeneration of the oxidized form of ascorbate (monodehydroascorbate) so that it can be recycled to maintain ROS scavenging ability. The MDHAR gene from Brassica rapa L. was cloned and introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. to test the hypothesis that enhanced ROS scavenging activity of BrMDHAR alleviates freezing stress. BrMDHAR was expressed under the control of either the CaMV 35S promoter or stress inducible SWPA2 promoter. Ectopic expression of BrMDHAR led to the up-regulation of many antioxidant genes, including APX, DHAR, GR, SOD, GPX, and PRX Q, which are involved in ascorbate–glutathione cycle. And, transgenic plants showed improved stress tolerance against freezing with exhibiting higher levels of chlorophyll content and antioxidant molecules such as ascorbate and glutathione as well as alleviated redox status and malondialdehyde contents. These results suggested that ectopic expression of BrMDHAR conferred improved tolerance to freezing stress not only by simply recycling ascorbate, but also by inducing co-regulation of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, which in turn enhances the antioxidant capacity of the host plants.     

The role of ozone flux and antioxidants in the suppression of ozone injury by elevated CO2 in soybean

The projected rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration is expected to increase growth and yield of many agricultural crops. The magnitude of this stimulus will partly depend on interactions with other components of the atmosphere such as tropospheric O3. Elevated CO2 concentrations often lessen the deleterious effects of O3, but the mechanisms responsible for this response have received little direct examination. Previous studies have indicated that protection against O3 injury by elevated CO2 can be attributed to reduced O3 uptake, while other studies suggest that CO2 effects on anti-oxidant metabolism might also be involved. The aim of this experiment was to test further the roles of O3 flux and antioxidant metabolism in the suppression of O3 injury by elevated CO2. In a two-year experiment, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was exposed from emergence to maturity to charcoal-filtered air or charcoal-filtered air plus a range of O3 concentrations in combination with ambient or approximately twice-ambient CO2 concentrations in open-top field chambers. Experimental manipulation of O3 concentrations and estimates of plant O3 uptake indicated that equivalent O3 fluxes that suppressed net photosynthesis, growth, and yield at ambient concentrations of CO2 were generally much less detrimental to plants treated concurrently with elevated CO2. These responses appeared unrelated to treatment effects on superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and peroxidase activities and glutathione concentration. Total ascorbic acid concentration increased by 28-72% in lower canopy leaves in response to elevated CO2 and O3 but not in upper canopy leaves. Increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2 will likely ameliorate O3 damage to many crops due to reduced O3 uptake, increased carbon assimilation, and possibly as yet undetermined additional factors. The results of this study further suggest that elevated CO2 may increase the threshold O3 flux for biomass and yield loss in soybean.