BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES DURING SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT IN MARCHANTIA POLYMORPHA: I. ESTERASES

Extracts of uninduced thalli, induced thalli, stalks, antheridiophore and archegoniophore disks of Marchantia polymorpha were subjected to starch-gel zone electrophoresis. Developed gels were treated with appropriate reaction mixtures to detect sites of activity for 12 enzyme systems; only phosphatases, esterases, and peroxidases were observed. Although common sites of phosphatase, peroxidase, and esterase activity were detected in all tested extracts, additional sites of peroxidase and esterase activity were found in extracts from antheridiophore disks. The antheridia provided the additional esterases as determined by the electrophoresis of antheridial extracts and by a histochemical test for esterases in sections of antheridiophores.     

Induction of 33-kD and 60-kD Peroxidases during Ethylene-Induced Senescence of Cucumber Cotyledons

Ethylene enhanced the senescence of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv `Poinsett 76') cotyledons. The effect of 10 microliters per liter ethylene was inhibited by 1 millimolar silver thiosulfate, an inhibitor of ethylene action. An increase in proteins with molecular weights of 33 to 30 kilodaltons and lower molecular weights (25, 23, 20, 16, 12, and 10 kilodaltons) were observed in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels after ethylene enhanced senescence. The measurement of DNase and RNase activity in gels indicated that these new proteins were not nucleases. Two proteins from ethylene-treated cotyledons were purified on the basis of their association with a red chromaphore and subsequently were identified as peroxidases. The molecular weights and isoelectric points (pI) of two of these peroxidases were 33 kilodaltons (cationic, pI = 8.9) and 60 kilodaltons (anionic, pI = 4.0). The observation that [³⁵S]Na₂SO₄ was incorporated into these proteins during ethylene-enhanced senescence suggests that these peroxidases represent newly synthesized proteins. Antibodies to the 33-kilodalton peroxidase precipitated two in vitro translation products from RNA isolated from ethylene-treated but not from control cucumber seedlings. This indicates that the increase in 33-kilodalton peroxidase activity represents de novo protein synthesis. Both forms of peroxidase degraded chlorophyll in vitro, which is consistent with the hypothesis that peroxidases have catabolic or scavenging functions in senescent tissues.     

Peroxidases of Papaver somniferum

Extracts of Papaver somniferum that had peroxidase activity were ineffective in catalysing oxidation of reticuline. Two peroxidases were purified from young seedlings and their properties examined. Only one of them was active toward indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).     

Characterization of Laccases and Peroxidases from Wood-Rotting Fungi (Family Coprinaceae)

Panaeolus sphinctrinus, Panaeolus papilionaceus, and Coprinus friesii are described as producers of ligninolytic enzymes. P. papilionaceus and P. sphinctrinus both produced a laccase. In addition, P. sphinctrinus produced a manganese peroxidase. C. friesii secreted a laccase and two peroxidases similar to the peroxidase of Coprinus cinereus. The purified laccases and peroxidases were characterized by broad substrate specificities, significant enzyme activities at alkaline pH values, and remarkably high pH optima. The two peroxidases of C. friesii remained active at pH 7.0 and 60°C for up to 60 min of incubation. The peroxidases were inhibited by sodium azide and ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), whereas the laccases were inhibited by sodium azide and N,N-diethyldithiocarbamic acid. As determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing, all three fungi produced laccase isoenzymes.     

Occurrence of Peroxidases in Sweet Potato Infected by the Black Rot Fungus

Changes in the peroxidase activity and the patterns in sweet potato tissue infected by Ceratocystis fimbriata were investigated, by the method of starch-gel electrophoresis, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and immunochemical analysis, compared with that in cut and healthy tissue. Time-course analysis of the increment of the total peroxidase activity also showed noticeable differences between diseased and cut tissues. The peroxidases in diseased and cut tissues were composed of four major and several minor components. Though electrophoretic analysis did not show so striking differences in the patterns of peroxidases between diseased and cut tissues, there were distinct differences in the ratio of activities of major peroxidase components between both tissues. Immunochemical works indicated that peroxidase A which showed the most prominent increase in diseased tissue was found to be formed in cut tissue though the amounts were appreciably small. The activity of peroxidase C in diseased tissue was not so high as seen in cut tissue.     

Purification, Characterization, and Gene Cloning of Ceriporiopsis sp. Strain MD-1 Peroxidases That Decolorize Human Hair Melanin

Ceriporiopsis sp. strain MD-1, isolated from forest soil, produced several extracellular enzymes that decolorized human hair melanin. Among them, three enzymes (E1, E2-1, and E2-2) were purified to homogeneity and characterized. The enzymes required hydrogen peroxide in their enzyme reactions and, typical of other fungal peroxidases, oxidized various phenol compounds such as guaiacol, but not 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol. The spectra of the three enzymes showed an absorption maximum at 406 nm, indicating that they were heme proteins. However, the A₄₀₆/A₂₈₀ values of the enzymes were below 0.4, which was lower than those of other peroxidases. E2-1 and E2-2 were similar to each other in their molecular and catalytic properties, and they possibly represent products of posttranslational modifications and/or allelic variants of the same gene, mdcA. The corresponding cDNA was cloned and sequenced; the deduced amino acid sequence showed high identities to the manganese peroxidases from other microorganisms. The specific activities and K_m values of E2-1 and E2-2 for synthetic and human hair melanins were much higher than those of Phanerochaete chrysosporium manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase.     

Hormonal regulation and distribution of peroxidase isoenzymes in the Cucurbitaceae

Ethylene enhanced the levels of peroxidases in the roots, stems, leaves, and cotyledons of 2-week-old cucumber Cucumis sativus cv Poinsett 76 seedlings. Antibodies to the isoelectric point (pl) 9 and pl 4 isoenzymes were used in a radial immuno-diffusion assay to demonstrate that ethylene induced similar peroxidases in other cultivars of C. sativus, other species of Cucumis and other genera of Cucurbitaceae. Examination of ethylene-induced peroxidases, using isoelectric focusing gels, demonstrated the presence of a series of other peroxidases, mostly slightly acidic, whose isoelectric focusing pH was approximately 6. These pl 6 peroxidases were partially purified on a cation exchange column. Ouchterlony double diffusion gels indicated that these proteins cross-reacted with antibodies to both the pl 9 and pl 4 peroxidase. The data presented here suggest that the induction of peroxidase isoenzymes during ethylene-induced senescence is a common response in this family of plants. In addition, antibody and isoelectric focusing studies indicate that both acidic and basic peroxidase are highly conserved in members of this family.     

Immunological comparison of bacterial α-amylases and multiple forms of Baci1lus licheniformis enzyme

A purified preparation of Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase was immunologeeally and electrophoretically compared with commercial crystalline α-amylase of Bacillus subtilis. The former enzyme reacted completely with rabbit antiserum to the same enzyme showing a single precipitin band, and moved toward the cathode in immuno-electrophoresis on agarose at pH 9.6. On the contrary, crystalline α-amylase of Bacillus subtilis migrated to the anode in immunoelectrophoresis at pH 8.6, though it weakly cross-reacted with the antiserum, suggesting that amylases of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis are not identical. In addition, the neutralization test of amylase activity showed that α-amylase of Bacillus licheniformis was much more susceptible to inhibition by the serum than was Bacillus subtilis α-amylase. Each of four species of Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase extracted from the sliced discs after disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel was distinct from the others by showing individual migratory rate, but they were antigenically similar to each other and to the parent enzyme.     

Molecular cloning of two novel peroxidases and their response to salt stress and salicylic acid in the living fossil Ginkgo biloba

Background and Aims

Peroxidase isoenzymes play diverse roles in plant physiology, such as lignification and defence against pathogens. The actions and regulation of many peroxidases are not known with much accuracy. A number of studies have reported direct involvement of peroxidase isoenzymes in the oxidation of monolignols, which constitutes the last step in the lignin biosynthesis pathway. However, most of the available data concern only peroxidases and lignins from angiosperms. This study describes the molecular cloning of two novel peroxidases from the ‘living fossil’ Ginkgo biloba and their regulation by salt stress and salicylic acid.

Methods

Suspension cell cultures were used to purify peroxidases and to obtain the cDNAs. Treatments with salicylic acid and sodium chloride were performed and peroxidase activity and gene expression were monitored.

Key Results

A novel peroxidase was purified, which preferentially used p-hydroxycinnamyl alcohols as substrates and was able to form dehydrogenation polymers in vitro from coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols. Two peroxidase full-length cDNAs, GbPrx09 and GbPrx10, were cloned. Both peroxidases showed high similarity to other basic peroxidases with a putative role in cell wall lignification. Both GbPrx09 and GbPrx10 were expressed in leaves and stems of the plant. Sodium chloride enhanced the gene expression of GbPrx09 but repressed GbPrx10, whereas salicylic acid strongly repressed both GbPrx09 and GbPrx10.

Conclusions

Taken together, the data suggest the participation of GbPrx09 and GbPrx10 in the developmental lignification programme of the cell wall. Both peroxidases possess the structural characteristics necessary for sinapyl alcohol oxidation. Moreover, GbPrx09 is also involved in lignification induced by salt stress, while salicylic acid-mediated lignification is not a result of GbPrx09 and GbPrx10 enzymatic activity.     

Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to Wall-Localized Peroxidases from Corn Seedlings

A library of 22 hybridomas, which make antibodies to soluble wall antigens from the coleoptiles and primary leaves of etiolated corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings, was raised and cloned three times by limit dilution to assure monoclonal growth and stability. Two of these hybridomas made immunoglobulin G antibodies, designated mWP3 and mWP19, which both effectively immunoprecipitated peroxidase activity from crude and partially purified preparations of wall peroxidases. Direct peroxidase-binding assays revealed that both antibodies bound enzymes with peroxidase activity. As judged by immunoblot analyses, mWP3 recognized a M_r 98,000 wall peroxidase with an isoelectric point near 4.2, and mWP19 recognized a M_r 58,000 wall peroxidase. Immunogold localization studies showed both peroxidases are predominately in cell walls.     

A COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF PEROXIDASES FROM GERMINATING PEANUTS (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA): ELECTROPHORESIS

Dormant seed and organs of 0-, 1-, 2-, 5-, 8-, 11-, and 14-day-old plants of Arachis hypogaea L. were homogenized in phosphate buffer and the lipid-free extracts analyzed for benzidine and pyrogallol peroxidases using starch-gel electrophoresis. On a wet weight basis, one weak band of benzidine peroxidase activity was detected in dormant cotyledons and three bands in 1-day cotyledons. In 5-day tissue, activity had increased significantly; at 14 days, the number of bands had decreased but staining intensity was maintained. In the extract from dormant axis, a single cathodic site of benzidine peroxidase activity was observed; however, on day two there was a marked increase in the number of bands and intensity of reaction in epicotyl and hypocotylradicle tissues. By day 14, the number and density of bands had decreased noticeably in the epicotyl and hypocotyl. Extracts from 14-day roots exhibited more sites of reaction and greater intensity of staining of benzidine peroxidase than at five days of growth. Localized areas of activity at Rf -0.44 and -0.52 were present in extracts of all four organs when either benzidine or pyrogallol was used as the hydrogen donor. Although marked similarity existed between banding patterns of organs, qualitative and quantitative ontogenetic differences in peroxidases were apparent.     

Purification and biochemical characterization of two extracellular peroxidases from Phanerochaete chrysosporium responsible for lignin biodegradation

Two extracellular peroxidases from Phanerochaete chrysosporium, namely a lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP), were purified simultaneously by applying successively, ultrafiltration, ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. LiP and MnP have a molecular mass of 36 and 45 kDa, respectively. The optimal pHs for LiP and MnP activities were 3.0 and 4.5, respectively. Both peroxidases showed maximal activity at 30 °C and moderate thermostability. MnP activity was strongly inhibited by Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Hg²⁺, and enhanced by Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺. LiP activity was enhanced by Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Co²⁺ and it was inhibited in the presence of K⁺, Hg⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺ and high concentrations of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The K_m and V_max for LiP toward veratryl alcohol as a substrate were 0.10 mM and 15.2 U mg⁻¹, respectively and for MnP toward Mn²⁺, they were respectively 0.03 mM and 25.5 U mg⁻¹. The two peroxidases were also able to break down rice lignin in a small-scale solid state treatment system. Data suggest these two peroxidases may be considered as potential candidates for the development of enzyme-based technologies for lignin degradation.     

Regulation of synthesis of nitrite reductase in pea leaves: in-vivo and in-vitro studies

The cellular location of three peroxidase isoenzymes (PRX) in mature leaf tissue of Petunia and their affinity for Concanavalin A-Sepharose were investigated. The isoenzymes PRXa, PRXb and PRXc were identified by their positions in starch-gel zymograms. The fast-moving anodic and cathodic peroxidase bands, the isoenzymes PRXa and PRXc respectively, were the most active peroxidases in extracellular extracts. The molecular forms of PRXa showed a tissue-specific distribution between midrib and remaining leaf tissue. An intermediate-moving anodic peroxidase band, the isoenzyme PRXb, was the most active peroxidase released after extraction of isolated mesophyll protoplasts. Small amounts of the peroxidase isoenzymes were present in cell-wall-bound fractions. Incubation of a crude protein fraction with Concanavalin A-Sepharose showed that the isoenzyme PRXb bound more firmly to Concanavalin A-Sepharose than the isoenzymes PRXa and PRXc, of which only one molecular form bound partly. The results are discussed with respect to a possible function of one of the peroxidase isoenzymes, and a possible role of oligosaccharide chains in determining the cellular location of plant peroxidases is suggested.Abbreviations Con A Concanavalin A - PRX peroxidase (isoenzyme)     

Electrophoretic study on peroxidase,indoleacetic acid oxidase,and o-diphenol oxidase fractions in extracts from different growth zones ofvicia faba L. roots

Using electrophoresis in acrylamide gel, fractions of peroxidase, indoleacetic acid oxidase, and o-diphenol oxidase were investigated in extracts from three growth zones ofVicia faba L. roots. Three peroxidase fractions (zones) moving towards the anode were revealed as well as four peroxidase fractions (zones) migrating towards the cathode. Three peroxidase fractions showed detectable indoleacetic acid oxidase activity. The o-diphenol oxidase activity was revealed in all peroxidase fractions moving towards the anode, in those moving towards the cathode the o-diphenol oxidase activity differred according to the substrate used. One fraction with both peroxidase and o-diphenol oxidase activity occurred only in electrophoreograms of extracts from the maturation zone; in this fraction no indoleacetic acid oxidase activity was demonstrable.     

Identification and characterization of VPO1, a new animal heme-containing peroxidase

Animal heme-containing peroxidases play roles in innate immunity, hormone biosynthesis, and the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Using the peroxidase-like domain of Duox1 as a query, we carried out homology searching of the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Two novel heme-containing peroxidases were identified in humans and mice. One, termed VPO1 for vascular peroxidase 1, exhibits its highest tissue expression in heart and vascular wall. A second, VPO2, present in humans but not in mice, is 63% identical to VPO1 and is highly expressed in heart. The peroxidase homology region of VPO1 shows 42% identity to myeloperoxidase and 57% identity to the insect peroxidase peroxidasin. A molecular model of the VPO1 peroxidase region reveals a structure very similar to that of known peroxidases, including a conserved heme binding cavity, critical catalytic residues, and a calcium binding site. The absorbance spectra of VPO1 are similar to those of lactoperoxidase, and covalent attachment of the heme to VPO1 protein was demonstrated by chemiluminescent heme staining. VPO1 purified from heart or expressed in HEK cells is catalytically active, with a K_m for H₂O₂ of 1.5 mM. When co-expressed in cells, VPO1 can use H₂O₂ produced by NADPH oxidase enzymes. VPO1 is likely to carry out peroxidative reactions previously attributed exclusively to myeloperoxidase in the vascular system.     

Corn leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases: Purification and properties of two isoenzymes

Two phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase proteins (PC-I and PC-II) were extracted and purified close to homogeneity from corn leaves. PC-I contained about 85% and PC-II about 15% of the total phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. PC-I eluted from a DEAE-cellulose column with a buffer having lower ionic strength, had higher K_m and V values with respect to phosphoenolpyruvate, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺, was more thermolabile and moved more slowly toward the anode during disc gel electrophoresis as compared to PC-II. The enzymes had sedimentation coefficient values (s_20,W) of 9.7 and 11.6S and molecular weights, determined by equilibrium centrifugation on sucrose density gradients, of 225,650 and 270,800, respectively. The enzymes used HCO₃^? as the active “CO₂” substrate, and the major protein (PC-I) had a temperature optimum for activity of 40 °C.     

Purification and characterization of a basic peroxidase from the medium of cell suspension cultures of chicory

A 34-kDa cationic peroxidase (Cicpx) with a pI of 8.9 was purified to homogeneity (RZ 3.5) from the medium of cell suspension cultures of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, ultrafiltration, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The partial amino acid sequence presented a low homology with other plant peroxidases. Antibody against spinach peroxidase was shown to cross react with chicory isoperoxidase on immunoblots. Unlike anionic peroxidases, Cicpx displayed a high reactivity towards guaiacol and no reactivity towards syringaldazine, indicating that Cicpx was not involved in the lignification process. Thus, further investigations are necessary to assign a specific function to this particular isoperoxidase.     

Immunochemical Characteristics of Isoperoxidases from Two Environmentally-induced Flax Genotrophs (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The homology between the acidic isoperoxidases from two environmentally-inducedflax genotrophs, L and S, was examined with antisera raisedagainst purified isozymes from S stem tissue. Peroxidases S1,S2 and S4 were found to be immunologically indistinguishablefrom their counterparts L1, L2 and L4 based on results fromimmunodiffusion, immunoinhibition and immunoprecipitation experiments.Corresponding isozymes from S and L, despite displaying differencesin apparent molecular weight, were shown to have identical plvalues. These results support our view that post-translationalmodification of the carbohydrate moiety of the isoperoxidasesfrom L and S is responsible for their differences on polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis. The affinity of the antisera toward threehorseradish peroxidases was also studied and the presence ofthree antigenically distinct groups of peroxidases in plantsis suggested. Key words: Flax peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase, isoperoxidases, homology     

Homology of Plant Peroxidases: AN IMMUNOCHEMICAL APPROACH

Antisera specific for the basic peroxidase from horseradish (Amoracea rusticana) were used to examine homology among horseradish peroxidase isoenzymes and among basic peroxidases from root plants. The antisera cross-reacted with all tested isoperoxidases when measured by both agar diffusion and quantitative precipitin reactions. Precipitin analyses provided quantitative measurements of homology among these plant peroxidases. The basic radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Cherry Belle) peroxidase had a high degree of homology (73 to 81%) with the basic peroxidase from horseradish. Turnip (Brassica rapa L. cv. Purple White Top Globe) and carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Danvers) basic peroxidases showed less cross-reaction (49 to 54% and 41 to 46%, respectively). However, the cross-reactions of antisera with basic peroxidases from different plants were greater than were those observed with acidic horseradish isoenzymes (30 to 35%). These experiments suggest that basic peroxidase isoenzymes are strongly conserved during evolution and may indicate that the basic peroxidases catalyze reactions involved in specialized cellular functions. Anticatalytic assays were poor indicators of homology. Even though homology among isoperoxidases was detected by other immunological methods, antibodies inhibited only the catalytic activity of the basic peroxidase from radish.