水分胁迫下山黧豆多胺代谢与β_N_草酰_L_α,β_二氨基丙酸积累相关性的研究

Seedlings of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) were treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG), in addition with putrescine (Put) and α-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA) in order to study the relation between polyamine metabolism and accumulation of β-N-oxalyl-L-α, β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) under water stress. The results indicated that Put, spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) contents of leaves gradually increased along with the extension of PEG-treatment time. Especially, the increase in Spm contents was significant together with a gradual increase of ODAP contents. Put and Spd contents of leaves markedly increased along with the extension of PEG+Put treatment time. There was little effect on Spm contents and ODAP contents in leaves with PEG+Put treatment. The accumulation of Put, Spd, Spm and ODAP in leaves was inhibited by PEG+DFMA treatment. The inhibition of DFMA for Put and Spd biosynthesis was partially overcome by adding exogenous Put, but little effect for the inhibition of DFMA on Spm biosynthesis by adding exogenous Put. The accumulation of ODAP was inhibited with PEG+DFMA+Put treatment in leaves. This indicated that there was a relationship between the increase of Spm contents and the accumulation of ODAP in leaves under water stress.     

Effect of exogenous spermidine on polyamine metabolism in water hyacinth leaves under mercury stress

The influence of exogenous spermidine (Spd) on arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities and polyamines (PAs), proline contents in water hyacinth leaves under Mercury (Hg) stress was investigated after 6 days treatment. The results showed that free putrescine (Put) content increased, the contents of free spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) and the (Spd + Spm)/Put ratio in water hyacinth leaves decreased significantly with the increase of the Hg concentrations. Hg stress also disturbed the activities of ADC, ODC and PAO and caused changes on proline content. Compared to the Hg-treatment only, exogenous Spd (0.1 mM) significantly reduced the accumulation of free Put, increased the contents of free Spd and Spm and the ratio of (Spd + Spm)/Put in water hyacinth leaves. Furthermore, exogenous Spd enhanced the activities of ADC, ODC and PAO and significantly increased proline content. The PS-conjugated PAs and PIS-bound PAs changed in the same trend as free PAs. These results suggest that exogenous Spd can alleviate the metabolic disturbance of polyamines caused by Hg in water hyacinth leaves.     

Involvement of polyamines in the drought resistance of rice

This study investigated whether and how polyamines (PAs) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants are involved in drought resistance. Six rice cultivars differing in drought resistance were used and subjected to well-watered and water-stressed treatments during their reproductive period. The activities of arginine decarboxylase, S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase, and spermidine (Spd) synthase in the leaves were significantly enhanced by water stress, in good agreement with the increase in putrescine (Put), Spd, and spermine (Spm) contents there. The increased contents of free Spd, free Spm, and insoluble-conjugated Put under water stress were significantly correlated with the yield maintenance ratio (the ratio of grain yield under water-stressed conditions to grain yield under well-watered conditions) of the cultivars. Free Put at an early stage of water stress positively, whereas at a later stage negatively, correlated with the yield maintenance ratio. No significant differences were observed in soluble-conjugated PAs and insoluble-conjugated Spd and Spm among the cultivars. Free PAs showed significant accumulation when leaf water potentials reached -0.51 MPa to -0.62 MPa for the drought-resistant cultivars and -0.70 MPa to -0.84 MPa for the drought-susceptible ones. The results suggest that rice has a large capacity to enhance PA biosynthesis in leaves in response to water stress. The role of PAs in plant defence to water stress varies with PA forms and stress stages. In adapting to drought it would be good for rice to have the physiological traits of higher levels of free Spd/free Spm and insoluble-conjugated Put, as well as early accumulation of free PAs, under water stress.     

外源多胺对铜胁迫下水鳖叶片多胺代谢、抗氧化系统和矿质营养元素的影响

采用营养液水培的方法,研究了外源亚精胺(Spd)和精胺(Spm)对Cu胁迫下水鳖叶片3种形态多胺(PAs)、抗氧化系统及营养元素的影响。结果表明:(1)Cu胁迫使水鳖叶片腐胺(Put)急剧积累,Spd和Spm明显下降,从而使(Spd+Spm)/Put比值也随之下降。外源Spd和Spm显著或极显著逆转Cu诱导的PAs变化,抑制Put的积累,缓解Spd和Spm的下降,从而提高了(Spd+Spm)/Put比值。(2)外源Spd和Spm抑制了Cu胁迫诱导的多胺氧化酶(PAO)的增加,缓解了二胺氧化酶(DAO)的下降。(3)与单一Cu胁迫相比,Spd和Spm显著或极显著提高了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量,从而降低了超氧阴离子(O2.-)产生速率和过氧化氢(H2O2)含量,极显著降低了丙二醛(MDA)含量,缓解了Cu诱导的氧化胁迫。(4)外源Spd和Spm显著或极显著缓解了Cu胁迫下矿质营养元素吸收平衡的紊乱。以上结果均说明了外施Spd和Spm可增加水鳖对Cu胁迫的耐受性。     

氯化钠胁迫对嫁接黄瓜叶片多胺含量的影响

以日本耐盐品种‘帝王新土佐’南瓜为砧木,以’新泰密刺’黄瓜为接穗,在100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫下,对黄瓜嫁接和自根植株不同时期叶片中不同形态多胺含量的变化进行了研究.结果表明：NaCl胁迫下黄瓜嫁接植株游离态腐胺（Put）含量在胁迫2 d时与自根植株无显著差异,其余时间均显著高于自根植株;游离态亚精胺（Spd）和游离态精胺（Spm）含量在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株;游离态多胺总量（PAs）在胁迫第4天出现峰值;嫁接植株游离态Put/PAs值在胁迫4 d时与自根植株无显著差异,其余胁迫时间均显著低于自根植株,而(Spd+Spm)/Put值在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株;嫁接植株结合态和束缚态Put、Spd和Spm含量在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株,结合态和束缚态PAs在胁迫第6天出现峰值;结合态多胺的Put/PAs值和(Spd+Spm)/Put值变化趋势与游离态多胺一致;嫁接植株束缚态Put/PAs值在胁迫6 d时与自根植株无显著差异,其余时间均显著低于自根植株,而(Spd+Spm)/Put值在整个胁迫期间均显著高于自根植株.表明黄瓜嫁接植株表现出较强的耐盐特征.     

盐胁迫下大麦幼苗多胺的种类和状态与多胺氧化酶活性的关系

200 mmol/L的NaCl胁迫8 d大麦幼苗叶片和根系中的三种形态多胺都有不同程度地下降,其中游离态多胺含量的下降幅度最大;高氯酸不溶性结合态多胺含量变化较小.根系中PAO的活性先上升后下降,而叶片中PAO的活性先下降后上升.游离态多胺中,亚精胺和精胺(Spd Spm)的含量变化与相应部位PAO的活性变化趋势相反,表明PAO在盐胁迫下可能调节了游离态多胺的含量从而影响高氯酸可溶结合态与高氯酸不溶结合态多胺的含量.     

NaCl胁迫对结荚期菜用大豆叶片游离态多胺水平的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的2个菜用大豆[Glycinemax(L.)Merr.]品种结荚期干物质积累、单株产量及叶片游离态多胺(PAs)水平的变化进行了研究。结果表明:NaCl胁迫显著降低了菜用大豆植株干重及单株产量,但耐盐品种"绿领特早"的降幅低于盐敏感品种"理想高产95-1";与"理想高产95-1"相比,"绿领特早"叶片在整个NaCl胁迫期间均维持了相对较低的H2O2含量、游离态腐胺(Put)含量及较高的游离态亚精胺(Spd)含量,在胁迫6～15d期间维持了相对较高的游离态精胺(Spm)含量、(Spd+Spm)/Put值及较低的Put/PAs值。说明耐盐品种"绿领特早"叶片具有较强的由游离态Put向游离态Spd和Spm转化的能力,维持了较低的游离态Put含量和较高的游离态Spd及Spm含量,进而抑制了活性氧过量积累。     

Exogenous polyamines enhance copper tolerance of Nymphoides peltatum

The protective effects of polyamines (PAs) against copper (Cu) toxicity were investigated in the leaves of Nymphoides peltatum. Cu treatment increased the putrescine (Put) level and lowered spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) levels, thereby reducing the (Spd+Spm)/Put ratio in leaves. Exogenous application of Spd or Spm markedly reversed these Cu-induced effects for all three PAs and partially restored the (Spd+Spm)/Put ratio in leaves. It also significantly enhanced the level of proline, retarded the loss of soluble protein, decreased the rate of O2*- generation and H2O2 content, and prevented Cu-induced lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, exogenous Spd and Spm reduced the accumulation of Cu and effectively maintained the balance of nutrient elements in plant leaves under Cu stress. These results suggest that exogenous application of Spd or Spm can enhance the tolerance of N. peltatum to Cu by increasing the levels of endogenous Spd and Spm as well as the (Spd+Spm)/Put ratio.     

干旱胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬(Peganum multisectum Bobr)叶片乙烯释放和多胺含量变化与活性氧积累的关系

通过盆栽土培试验研究了干旱胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬(Peganum multisectum Bobr)叶片乙烯释放、多胺含量、活性氧水平及细胞膜透性的动态变化.结果表明,随着土壤干旱强度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,多裂骆驼蓬叶片内丙二醛(MDA)含量和细胞膜透性呈递增变化趋势;轻度胁迫下,乙烯产生速率、多胺(Put、Spm、Spd)、活性氧(O2-·、H2O2)和MDA含量及多胺氧化酶(PAO)活性随胁迫时间延长无明显变化;中度和重度胁迫初期(胁迫后0～30d)腐胺(Put)、精胺(Spm)和亚精胺(Spd)含量快速提高,乙烯生成速率下降,而O2-·、H2O2、MDA含量和PAO活性相对平稳;胁迫后期(胁迫后45～75d)乙烯生成速率增高,Put、Spm和Spd含量下降, O2-·、H2O2和MDA含量大幅度增加,膜透性增大,且乙烯释放与O2-·、H2O2含量呈显著正相关.表明中度和重度胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬叶片存在乙烯和多胺合成的相互制约,乙烯释放增加诱导活性氧积累导致膜透性急剧增大.     

干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗根、叶多胺含量和多胺氧化酶活性的变化

 以抗旱性不同的两个小麦品种（‘晋麦33’和‘温麦8’）（Triticum aestivum cv. Jinmai 33 and Wenmai 8）为材料,研究了干旱胁迫下多胺含量和多胺氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明：旱过程中,幼苗根、叶中腐胺（Put）、亚精胺（Spd）、精胺（Spm）3种多胺含量和多胺氧化酶（PAO）活性先迅速升高,而后下降。与抗旱性弱的‘晋麦33’相比,抗旱性强的品种‘温麦8’幼苗根、叶中Spd、Spm 含量初期升高幅度大,之后下降速率减慢;PAO活性的变化与之相反,‘晋麦33’的PAO活性提高的幅度大于‘温麦8号’。多胺含量和PAO活性在小麦幼苗的根与叶之间呈极显著正相关。干旱初期,小麦根、叶中多胺迅速积累可能是干旱胁迫反应的一个信号,随后较高的Spd、Spm 水平有利于增强小麦幼苗的抗旱性。     

Stress-dependent accumulation of spermidine and spermine in the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum under salinity conditions

We studied the effects of chloride salinity (300 and 500 mM NaCl) on the content of free polyamines (PAs) from putrescine (Put) family in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. leaves and roots. The contents of Put and spermidine (Spd) in leaves increased temporarily, achieving the highest values on the third day of salinity treatment; thereafter (by days 7–14), they dropped sharply. The content of spermine (Spm) increased gradually, and its high level was maintained until the end of experiment. The dynamics of Spm accumulation in leaves under salinity conditions resembled that of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), a key enzyme of the water-saving CAM pathway of photosynthesis. This indicates indirectly the involvement of Spm in the common ice plant adaptation to salinity. A decrease in the molar ratios of Spd to Spm in the leaves under salinity conditions could point to the acceleration of Spm biosynthesis (accumulation) during plant adaptation, whereas the levels of Spm precursors, Put and Spd, did not increase. This phenomenon could be explained by an accelerated conversion of Spd into Spm, an active liberation of free Spm from its conjugates, or changes in the rates of studied PA biosynthesis and degradation under salinity. At the same time, the intracellular concentration of ethylene rose under these conditions. It was supposed and then demonstrated, that the pathway of ethylene biosynthesis and that of the synthesis of Put family PAs compete under severe salinity conditions. This competition might be based on the disturbances in sulfur metabolism and a decrease in the methionine content, an immediate precursor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine.     

Seasonal Changes of Polyamine Concentrations and Arginine Decarboxylase Activities in Leaves of 4 Ecotyes of Reeds

The seasonal changes of polyamine concentrations and arginine decarboxylase (ADC, EC 4.1.1. 1. 9)activities were investigated in the leaves of 4 ecotypes of reeds (Phragamites comrnunis Trinius)distributed over Hexi Corridor of Gansu province. The leaves of all ecotypes of reeds contained the same kind of polyamines and showed the same trend of decrement in total amuonts of potyamines with change of seasons. From May to September, the reeds which grow in arid and saline habitat maintained higher level of spermidine (Spd)and spermine (Spm)with no accumulation of putrescine (Put), resulting in low ratios of Put to other polyamine (Spd and Spm), whereas opposite results were observed in swamp reeds. These results indicate that the adaption of reeds to drought and salt stresses may correlate with Put synthesis via ADC pathway and the quick transformation of Put into Spd and Spm.     

Regulation of exogenous spermidine on the reactive oxygen species level and polyamine metabolism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternanthera philoxeroides</Emphasis> (Mart.) Griseb under copper stress

Effects of exogenous spermidine (Spd) on the reactive oxygen species level and polyamine metabolism against copper (Cu) stress in Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb leaves were investigated. Cu treatment induced a marked accumulation of Cu and enhanced contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and the generation rate of O₂ ^·−. It also significantly increased putrescine (Put) levels but lowered spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) levels. The activities of arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) were all elevated with the increase of Cu concentration. However, application of exogenous Spd effectively decreased H₂O₂ content and the generation rate of O₂ ^·−, prevented Cu-induced lipid peroxidation and reduced Cu accumulation. Moreover, it declined level of endogenous Put and increased levels of Spd and Spm. Activities of ADC, ODC and PAO were all inhibited by exogenous Spd. The results indicated that application of exogenous Spd could enhance the tolerance of A. philoxeroides to Cu stress by reducing the reactive oxygen level and balancing polyamine metabolism.     

Nitric oxide enhances salt tolerance in cucumber seedlings by regulating free polyamine content

Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenous signaling molecule in plants and animals, mediates responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. This study was conducted in nutrient solution to investigate the effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, on plant growth and free polyamine content in cucumber leaves and roots under NaCl stress. The results showed that 100 μM SNP in solution significantly improved the growth of cucumber seedlings under NaCl stress for 8 days, as indicated by increased, plant height, stem thickness, fresh weight and increased dry matter accumulation. Further analysis demonstrated that the content of free polyamines and the activity of polyamine oxidase (PAO) in cucumber seedling leaves and roots initially increased dramatically under NaCl stress, although they decreased over a longer period of stress. Throughout the treatment period, the value of (spermine + spermidine)/putrescine [(Spd + Spm)/Put] also decreased under NaCl stress compared to the control. In contrast, the application of 100 μM SNP in the nutrient solution decreased the content of free Put, Spd, total free polyamines and PAO activity under NaCl stress. It also caused an increase in the content of Spm and the value of (Spd + Spm)/Put, adjusted the ratio of three kinds of free polyamines (Put, Spd, Spm) in cucumber seedlings. The high (Spd + Spm)/Put value and the accumulation of Spm were beneficial to improving the salt tolerance of plants. Therefore, NO alleviated the damage to cucumber seedlings caused by salt stress. NO enhanced the tolerance of cucumber seedlings to NaCl stress by regulating the content and proportions of the different types of free polyamines.     

低氧胁迫下24-表油菜素内酯对黄瓜幼苗叶片光合特性及多胺含量的影响

采用1/2 Hoagland营养液培养,研究了低氧胁迫下24-表油菜素内酯(EBR)对黄瓜幼苗叶片光合特性及多胺含量的影响.结果表明：低氧胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(g_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)显著下降,而叶绿素含量显著提高,幼苗生长受抑;低氧胁迫显著提高了黄瓜幼苗叶片的腐胺(Put)、亚精胺(Spd)、精胺(Spm)、多胺(PAs)含量和Put/PAs,但降低了(Spd+Spm) /Put.低氧胁迫下,外源EBR不仅显著提高了黄瓜幼苗的P_n、g_s、T_r及叶绿素含量,也显著提高了黄瓜幼苗叶片的游离态Spm、结合态Spd、Spm及束缚态Put、Spd、Spm含量,促进了PAs的进一步积累,且降低了Put/PAs,提高了(Spd+Spm)/Put．可见,外源EBR调节了黄瓜幼苗内源多胺含量及形态的变化,维持了较高的光合性能,促进了叶面积和干物质量的显著增加,缓解了低氧胁迫对黄瓜幼苗的伤害.     

枣品种耐盐性与叶片生物膜结合态多胺水平和H~＋-ATP酶活性的关系

120mmol·L^-1NaCl胁迫30d,耐盐性强的‘金丝小枣’叶片细胞质膜、液泡膜共价结合态腐胺（Put）、亚精胺（Spd）、精胺（Spm）含量及多胺（PAs）总水平与对照无显著性差异,但耐盐性弱的‘冬枣’叶片质膜共价结合态Put、Spd、Spm含量和PAs总水平及液泡膜Spd含量均显著降低;‘金丝小枣’叶片类囊体膜共价结合态Put含量、PAs总水平较对照显著降低,‘冬枣’则是Put、Spd、Spm含量及PAs总水平均显著降低。盐胁迫下,‘金丝小枣’叶片细胞质膜、液泡膜、类囊体膜非共价结合态Put、Spd、Spm含量及PAs总水平下降,但其中仅类囊体膜Spd含量显著低于对照,而‘冬枣’的3种膜上非共价结合态的这些多胺及其总水平均显著低于对照。与对照相比,盐胁迫下耐盐性不同的2个枣品种,叶片细胞质膜、液泡膜和类囊体膜H＋-ATP酶活性均降低,但降低幅度因枣品种和生物膜种类不同而异,且H＋-ATP酶活性与相应膜结合态多胺水平存在极紧密的正相关关系。结果表明,膜结合态多胺参与枣品种耐盐性的表达,调节盐胁迫下枣叶细胞中溶质的跨膜运输。     

Abscisic acid increases the content of free polyamines and delays mitotic activity induced by spermine in isolated embryonic axes of chick-pea seeds

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on the free polyamine: spermine (Spm), spermidine (Spd), putrescine (Put) and cadaverine (Cad) content, mitotic index (MI) and DNA synthesis have been studied in embryonic axes isolated from chick-pea ( Cicer ariennum L.) seeds. Spermine and spermidine decreased in controls during the first 24 h of germination, the former by 70% and the latter by 20%. This decrease was slowed down by ABA (5 μ M or 25 μ M ) in response to its concentration; at 24 h the values for Spm and Spd were 3-fold and 1.5-fold those of the controls, respectively. Exogenous ABA induced the synthesis of Put from 0 to 24 h, by which time the content of this polyamine had doubled. The controls at 24 h registered the same Put content as those with 25 μ M ABA, suggesting that ABA had ceased to induce Put synthesis. The pattern for cadaverine ABA-induced synthesis was similar to that of Put. From 18 to 24 h, however, the level of Cad in the controls was 3 times higher than in the treatments. The mitotic index in meristem cells reached a maximum at 30–36 h, when cell elongation stopped in the sub-apical region. This maximum was lowered by exogenous ABA in response to the concentration and occurred 12 h earlier in the presence of Spm (0.1–1.0 m M ), which induced high MI levels during the period studied. With 10 m M Spm, two complete waves of mitosis were observed, but when Spm and ABA were added together, the tetramine had no observable effect. Spermine stimulated ³H-thymidine uptake as well as DNA synthesis, with a maximum at 12 h, but did not counteract the inhibitory effect of ABA. Our results suggest that ABA causes changes in mitotic activity that Spm cannot overcome.     

水分胁迫对小麦幼苗叶片多胺含量的影响

水分胁迫下小麦幼苗叶片多胺含量变化的研究表明,聚乙二醇(PEG)的渗透胁迫明显提高了抗旱性强的周麦系列幼苗叶片游离态Put、Spd和Spm的含量和抗旱性弱的温麦6号的Put含量。外源Spd显著提高了水分胁迫下温麦6号的Spd的含量,对其抗性也有所改善。外源MGBG(Spd和Spm生物合成抑制剂)可提高水分胁迫下周麦12号Put的含量,但降低了Spd和Spm的含量和幼苗的抗性。     

NaCl胁迫对菜用大豆种子多胺代谢的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个品种菜用大豆种子的丙二醛(MDA)含量和多胺(PAs)代谢进行了研究.结果表明:NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的MDA含量,但耐盐品种‘绿领特早’(LL)的增幅低于盐敏感品种‘理想高产95-1’(LX).与LX相比,LL种子在整个NaCl胁迫期间均维持了相对较高的游离态精胺(Spm)、结合态Spm、结合态亚精胺(Spd)、束缚态Spd和束缚态腐胺(Put)含量,较高的(Spd +Spm )/Put 和(cPAs+bPAs)/fPAs值及较低的Put/PAs值,在胁迫中、后期(9～15 d)维持了相对较高的游离态Spd含量;胁迫期间,LL的精胺酸脱羧酶(ADC)长时期(6～15 d)保持相对较高的活性,而多胺氧化酶(PAO)则长时期(6～15 d)维持相对较低的活性.综上,LL具有较强的多胺合成能力及较强的Put向Spd和Spm以及游离态多胺向结合态和束缚态多胺转化的能力,进而有效抑制了细胞的膜脂过氧化,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一.     

Effect of root-applied spermidine on growth and respiratory metabolism in roots of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>) seedlings under hypoxia

The effects of exogenous spermidine (Spd) application to hypoxic nutrient solution on the contents of endogenous polyamines (PAs) and respiratory metabolism in the roots of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings were investigated. Cucumber seedlings were grown hydroponically in control and hypoxic nutrient solutions with and without addition of Spd at a concentration of 0.05 mM. The activities of key enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCAC), such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), were significantly inhibited under root-zone hypoxia with dissolved oxygen (DO) at 1 mg/l. In contrast, the activities of enzymes involved in the process of fermentation, such as pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT), were significantly increased. Thus, aerobic respiration was inhibited and fermentation was enhanced in the roots of cucumber seedlings as a result of decreasing ATP content to inhibit the dry weight of seedlings under hypoxic stress. Moreover, the contents of free, soluble conjugated, and insoluble bound putrescine (Put), Spd, and spermine (Spm) in the roots of cucumber seedlings were significantly increased under hypoxia stress. Interestingly, application of Spd to hypoxic roots markedly suppressed the accumulation of free Put and, in contrast, promoted an increase in free Spd and Spm, as well as soluble conjugated and insoluble bound Put, Spd, and Spm contents. From these data, we deduced that exogenous Spd promotes the conversion of free Put into free Spd and Spm, and soluble conjugated and insoluble bound PAs under hypoxia stress. Furthermore, the activities of LDH, PDC, and ADH were suppressed and, in contrast, the activities of SDH and IDH were enhanced by application of exogenous Spd to hypoxic roots. As a result, aerobic respiration was enhanced but fermentation metabolism was inhibited in the roots of cucumber seedlings, leading to an increase in ATP content to alleviate the inhibited dry weight of seedlings due to hypoxia stress. These results suggest that application of Spd to hypoxic nutrient solution promoted conversion of free Put into free Spd and Spm as well as soluble conjugated and insoluble bound PAs, further enhanced IDH and SDH activities, and inhibited ethanol fermentation and lactate fermentation, resulting in increased ATP content and eventually enhanced tolerance of cucumber plants to root-zone hypoxia.