Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Storage Roots in Cassava During Postharvest Physiological Deterioration

Plant Molecular Biology Reporter - Cassava is an important starchy and food crop; however, the commercial value of cassava is seriously constrained by postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD)....     

Evidence for Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase in Mollicutes and Release of Reactive Oxygen Species

The presence of superoxide dismutase was demonstrated in 21 strains of mollicutes, including achuloplas-mas, mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas. Additionally, catalase activities were demonstrated in nearly 50% of the cell lysates. whereas no peroxide activities were detectable. The production of O₂-and H₂O₂ with glucose as substrate was demonstrated for 8 strains of 10 strains tested. Anaerobic mycoplasmas showed the highest amount of radical production, whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were in the range of activities estimated for aerobic mollicutes. Some pathogenic strains additionally released compounds into the culture medium, which stimulated O₂-production by PMNs.     

活性氧所致超氧化物歧化酶肽链断裂的观察

探究活性氧所致铜锌超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）肽链断裂的情况。将过氧化氢或抗坏血酸－Ｆｅ（Ⅲ）分别作用于马来酰亚胺标记的ＳＯＤ,然后用高效液相反相色谱（ＲＰＨＰＬＣ）分析,经１ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＨ２Ｏ２处理后ＳＯＤ用ＲＰ－ＨＰＬＣ分离出二个肽段,用顺磁共振检测显示只有一个肽段具有马来酰亚胺信号,经５ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＨ２Ｏ２处理后ＳＯＤ有四个肽段生成,其中有一个肽段具有马来酰亚胺信号,用５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ抗坏血酸和０．０１ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＦｅＣｌ３处理后ＳＯＤ有三个肽段生成,用５０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ抗坏血酸及１．０ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＦｅＣｌ３处理后ＳＯＤ也产生相同的三个肽段,只是肽段的量多．结果提示Ｈ２Ｏ２所致ＳＯＤ肽链断裂无“定点”现象,而抗坏血酸－Ｆｅ（Ⅲ）所致ＳＯＤ肽链断裂呈“定点”断裂。     

活性氧所致超氧化物歧化酶疏水性的变化

用抗坏血酸-Fe(Ⅲ)和过氧化氢分别作用于铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(SOD),经疏水层析分离得到亲水型和疏水型SOD.用胰蛋白酶和胃蛋白酶分别作用于天然SOD,亲水型SOD及疏水型SOD,结果表明疏水型SOD较亲水型SOD及天然SOD易被降解,提示活性氧氧化修饰后的SOD对蛋白水解酶敏感性提高与其疏水性增高有关.     

木薯储藏根采后生理性变质研究进展

木薯(Manihot esculenta Crantz)是热带、亚热带地区重要的粮食作物和能源作物.木薯产量很高,储藏根富含淀粉,但收获后采后生理性变质严重,严重影响了木薯的开发和利用.结合近期研究工作,综述了木薯储藏根采后生理性变质的研究进展,包括采后生理性变质的检测标准、生化基础、抗采后生理性变质的杂交育种、以活性氧自由基为主要研究对象的功能基因组学与基因工程、应用前景及存在的问题,以期为木薯储藏根采后生理性变质的遗传改良提供参考.     

Reduction of Cold Injury by Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase

The pathophysiology of cold injury was examined by cooling a hind leg of an anesthetized New Zealand white rabbit. A flow probe and a thermocouple were placed in the leg to be cooled to monitor the blood flow and tissue temperature. After baseline measurements, the leg was cooled with a freezing mixture up to 0°C. which was followed by rewarming. The other leg served as control. In the experimental group, liposome-bound superoxide dismutase and catalase were infused through the femoral vein 15 minutes prior to putting the freezing mixture on the leg. Salicylic acid was injected through the femoral vein at the end of some experiments to assay hydroxy radical (OH). Our results demonstrated reduction of local blood flow in cold-exposed leg, indicating development of ischemia. Creatine kinase and lactage dehydrogenase were increased during rewarming in conjunction with hydroxyl radical formation, phospholipid breakdown, and lipid peroxidation. Treatment with superoxide dismutase and catalase reduced OH formation, prevented phospholipid degradation, and decreased creatine kinase. lactate dehydrogenase. and malonaldehyde formation. These results indicate that rewarming of cooled tissue is associated with “rewarming injury” similar to “reperfusion injury”, and that oxygen-derived free radicals play a signidcant role in the pathophysiology of such injury.     

叶绿体中活性氧的产生和清除机制

正常情况下植物细胞内活性氧（reactive oxygen species ROS）的产生和清除是平衡的,但是,一旦植物遭受环境胁迫,ROS的积累超过抗氧化剂防护系统清除能力,就会产生氧胁迫损伤细胞。由于叶绿体作为光合作用的场所与其他细胞器相比更易遭受氧化胁迫的伤害。因此,叶绿体进化了更强的防御机制调控电子传递链的氧化还原平衡及叶绿体基质中的氧化还原状态。活性氧具有双重效应．高浓度的活性氧对植物细胞有很强的毒害作用,低浓度时可充当信号分子参与植物的某些防卫反应过程,本文就叶绿体中活性氧的产生（三线态叶绿素、PSI和PSI I电子传递链）、网络清除（抗氧化剂,SOD,As—Glu循环系统,硫氧还蛋白）机制以及功能作用进行了综述。     

Induction of Superoxide Dismutase by Molecular Oxygen

Oxygen induces superoxide dismutase in Streptococcus faecalis and in Escherichia coli B. S. faecalis grown under 20 atm of O(2) had 16 times more of this enzyme than did anaerobically grown cells. In the case of E. coli, changing the conditions of growth from anaerobic to 5 atm of O(2) caused a 25-fold increase in the level of superoxide dismutase. Induction of this enzyme was a response to O(2) rather than to pressure, since 20 atm of N(2) was without effect. Induction of superoxide dismutase was a rapid process, and half of the maximal level was reached within 90 min after N(2)-grown cells of S. faecalis were exposed to 20 atm of O(2) at 37 C. S. faecalis did not contain perceptible levels of catalase under any of the growth conditions investigated by Stanier, Doudoroff, and Adelberg (23), and the concentration of catalase in E. coli was not affected by the presence of O(2) during growth. S. faecalis, which had been grown under 100% O(2) and which therefore contained an elevated level of superoxide dismutase, was more resistant of 46 atm of O(2) than were cells which had been grown under N(2). E. coli grown under N(2) contained as much superoxide dismutase as did S. faecalis grown under 1 atm of O(2). The E. coli which had been grown under N(2) was as resistant to the deleterious effects of 50 atm of O(2) as was S. faecalis which had been grown under 1 atm of O(2). These results are consistent with the proposal that the peroxide radical is an important agent of the toxicity of oxygen and that superoxide dismutase may be a component of the systems which have been evolved to deal with this potential toxicity.     

植物中活性氧的产生及清除机制

环境胁迫使植物细胞中积累大量的活性氧,从而导致蛋白质、膜脂、DNA及其它细胞组分的严重损伤。植物体内有效清除活性氧的保护机制分为酶促和非酶促两类。酶促脱毒系统包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)等。非酶类抗氧化剂包括抗坏血酸、谷胱甘肽、甘露醇和类黄酮。利用基因工程策略增加这些物质在植物体内的含量,从而获得耐逆转基因植物已取得一定的进展。     

Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Activities of Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Peroxidase in Wheat Species

Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), andperoxidase (POD), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) contentsand solute potentials, were studied in seedlings of seven wheat(Triticum) species (nine genotypes representing three ploidylevels: hexaploid, tetraploid, diploid) subjected to water stressfor 4, 8, and 12 days by withholding water. Solute potentialsof all genotypes were lowered by water stress. In most species,SOD and CAT activities showed an increase or maintenance inthe early phase of drought and then a decrease with furtherincrease in magnitude of water stress. On the contrary, PODactivities and MDA contents greatly increased in response towater stress. Enzymatic activities partly recovered and MDAcontents decreased with rewatering. Under drought, hexaploidwheats had higher POD activities and MDA contents than tetraploidand diploid wheats; solute potentials and activities of SODand CAT, however, were similar among the three groups. Theseresults suggest that water stress alters the equilibrium betweenfree radical production and enzymatic defense reactions in wheatspecies and that hexaploid wheats have less efficient antioxidantsystems (e.g., the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and the nonenzymaticsystem) than tetraploid and diploid wheats. (Received February 9, 1994; Accepted April 22, 1994)     

Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase of Root-Colonizing Saprophytic Fluorescent Pseudomonads

Root-colonizing, saprophytic fluorescent pseudomonads of the Pseudomonas putida-P. fluorescens group express similar levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities during growth on a sucrose- and amino acid-rich medium. Increased specific activities of catalase but not superoxide dismutase were observed during growth of these bacteria on components washed from root surfaces. The specific activities of both enzymes were also regulated during contact of these bacteria with intact bean roots. Increased superoxide dismutase and decreased catalase activities were observed rapidly, by 10 min upon inoculation of cells onto intact bean roots. Catalase specific activity increased with time to peak at 12 h before declining. By 48 h, the cells displayed this low catalase but maintained high superoxide dismutase specific activities. Catalase with a low specific activity and a high superoxide dismutase activity also were present in extracts of cells obtained from 7-day-old roots colonized from inoculum applied to seed. This specific activity of superoxide dismutase of root-contacted cells was about fourfold-higher in comparison to cells grown on rich medium, whereas the specific activity for catalase was reduced about fivefold. A single catalase isozyme, isozyme A, and one isozyme of superoxide dismutase, isozyme 1, were detected during growth of the bacteria on root surface components and during exposure of cells to intact bean roots for 1 h. An additional catalase, isozyme B, was detected from bacteria after exposure to the intact bean roots for 12 h. Catalase isozyme A and superoxide dismutase isozyme 1 were located in the cytoplasm and catalase band B was located in the membrane of P. putida.     

Coimmobilization of Superoxide Dismutase,Catalase, and Peroxidase

Various orders of sequential coimmobilization of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were tested in order to prepare a multienzyme antioxidant complex of these enzymes. Simultaneous coimmobilization of catalase with a preliminarily cross-linked complex between SOD and HRP was found to be the optimum procedure. The catalytic enzyme activity and working stability of catalase was tested kinetically in the multienzyme complexes prepared by different methods. The effects of ascorbic acid, glutathione, and ethanol on the kinetic parameters of catalase were studied. A possible scheme of H₂O₂ degradation catalyzed by coimmobilized SOD, catalase, and HRP in the presence of reducing substrates is suggested.     

Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase: Distribution, Properties, and Physiological Role in Cells of Strict Anaerobes

This review considers the distribution of the main enzymes of antioxidative defense, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, in various groups of strictly anaerobic microorganisms: bacteria of the genus Clostridium, Bacteroides, sulfate-reducing and acetogenic bacteria, methanogenic archaea, etc. Molecular and biochemical properties of purified Fe-containing SODs, cambialistic SODs, and heme catalases are presented. The physiological role and origin of the enzymes of antioxidative defense in strict anaerobes are discussed. Physiological responses (induction of SOD and catalase) to factors provoking oxidative stress in the cells of strict anaerobes able to maintain viability under aerobic conditions are also considered.     

Identification of Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain CuZn Superoxide Dismutase as Critical for Resistance to Extracellularly Generated Reactive Oxygen Species

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular pathogen whose survival is in part dependent on its ability to resist the microbicidal activity of host-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). In numerous bacterial pathogens, CuZn-containing superoxide dismutases (SodC) are important virulence factors, localizing to the periplasm to offer protection from host-derived superoxide radicals (O₂⁻). In the present study, mutants of F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) deficient in superoxide dismutases (SODs) were used to examine their role in defense against ROS/RNS-mediated microbicidal activity of infected macrophages. An in-frame deletion F. tularensis mutant of sodC (ΔsodC) and a F. tularensis ΔsodC mutant with attenuated Fe-superoxide dismutase (sodB) gene expression (sodB ΔsodC) were constructed and evaluated for susceptibility to ROS and RNS in gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-activated macrophages and a mouse model of respiratory tularemia. The F. tularensis ΔsodC and sodB ΔsodC mutants showed attenuated intramacrophage survival in IFN-γ-activated macrophages compared to the wild-type F. tularensis LVS. Transcomplementing the sodC gene in the ΔsodC mutant or inhibiting the IFN-γ-dependent production of O₂⁻ or nitric oxide (NO) enhanced intramacrophage survival of the sod mutants. The ΔsodC and sodB ΔsodC mutants were also significantly attenuated for virulence in intranasally challenged C57BL/6 mice compared to the wild-type F. tularensis LVS. As observed for macrophages, the virulence of the ΔsodC mutant was restored in ifn-γ^−/−, inos^−/−, and phox^−/− mice, indicating that SodC is required for resisting host-generated ROS. To conclude, this study demonstrates that SodB and SodC act to confer protection against host-derived oxidants and contribute to intramacrophage survival and virulence of F. tularensis in mice.Francisella tularensis is considered a potential biological threat due to its extreme infectivity, ease of artificial dissemination via aerosols, and substantial capacity to cause illness and death. A hallmark of all F. tularensis subspecies is their ability to survive and replicate within macrophages (18) and other cell types (6, 11, 25, 28). While recent work has furthered our understanding of F. tularensis virulence mechanisms, little is known with respect to its ability to resist the microbicidal production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS).Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are metalloproteins that are classified according to their coordinating active site metals. SODs catalyze the dismutation of the highly reactive superoxide (O₂⁻) anion to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and O₂ (26). The dismutation of O₂⁻ prevents accumulation of microbicidal ROS and RNS in infected macrophages. Three major categories of SODs have been identified in bacteria and include Mn-, Fe-, and CuZn-containing SODs (SodA, SodB, and SodC, respectively) and are required for aerobic survival (27). The F. tularensis genome encodes SodB (FTL_1791) and SodC (FTL_0380). In several intracellular bacterial pathogens, SodC is an important virulence factor, and its localization to the periplasmic space protects bacteria from host-derived O₂⁻ and NO radicals (8, 9, 21, 32). Moreover, many virulent bacteria possess two copies of the sodC gene (4). The evolutionary maintenance of an extra sodC gene copy suggests that it serves some essential function in survival (4). As an intracellular pathogen, F. tularensis is exposed to ROS and RNS generated by inflammatory cells during the macrophage activation process, which suggests that SODs may play an important role in its intracellular survival and pathogenesis. We have demonstrated that decreases in SodB activity render F. tularensis sensitive to ROS and attenuate virulence in mice (2). However, the contribution of F. tularensis SodC in virulence and intramacrophage survival has not been defined. In this study we have constructed a F. tularensis sodC mutant (ΔsodC) and a F. tularensis sodBC double mutant (sodB ΔsodC) and determined that SodC in conjunction with SodB primarily protects the pathogen from host-derived ROS and is required for intramacrophage survival and virulence of F. tularensis in mice.     

Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase in the Cells of Strictly Anaerobic Microorganisms

Strictly anaerobic microorganisms relating to various physiological groups were screened for catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. All of the investigated anaerobes possessed SOD activity, necessary for protection against toxic products of oxygen reduction. High specific activities of SOD were found in Acetobacterium woodii and Acetobacterium wieringae. Most of the investigated clostridia and acetogens were catalase-negative. A significant activity of catalase was found in Thermohydrogenium kirishiense, in representatives of the genus Desulfotomaculum, and in several methanogens. Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus had an exceptionally high catalase activity after growth in medium supplemented with hemin. Hemin also produced a strong positive effect on the catalase activity in many other anaerobic microorganisms. In methanogens, the activities of the enzymes of antioxidant defense varied in wide ranges depending on the stage of growth and the energy source.     

Extending Cassava Root Shelf Life via Reduction of Reactive Oxygen Species Production

One of the major constraints facing the large-scale production of cassava (Manihot esculenta) roots is the rapid postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) that occurs within 72 h following harvest. One of the earliest recognized biochemical events during the initiation of PPD is a rapid burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. We have investigated the source of this oxidative burst to identify possible strategies to limit its extent and to extend cassava root shelf life. We provide evidence for a causal link between cyanogenesis and the onset of the oxidative burst that triggers PPD. By measuring ROS accumulation in transgenic low-cyanogen plants with and without cyanide complementation, we show that PPD is cyanide dependent, presumably resulting from a cyanide-dependent inhibition of respiration. To reduce cyanide-dependent ROS production in cassava root mitochondria, we generated transgenic plants expressing a codon-optimized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mitochondrial alternative oxidase gene (AOX1A). Unlike cytochrome c oxidase, AOX is cyanide insensitive. Transgenic plants overexpressing AOX exhibited over a 10-fold reduction in ROS accumulation compared with wild-type plants. The reduction in ROS accumulation was associated with a delayed onset of PPD by 14 to 21 d after harvest of greenhouse-grown plants. The delay in PPD in transgenic plants was also observed under field conditions, but with a root biomass yield loss in the highest AOX-expressing lines. These data reveal a mechanism for PPD in cassava based on cyanide-induced oxidative stress as well as PPD control strategies involving inhibition of ROS production or its sequestration.     

Large-Scale Proteomics of the Cassava Storage Root and Identification of a Target Gene to Reduce Postharvest Deterioration

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is the most important root crop in the tropics, but rapid postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) of the root is a major constraint to commercial cassava production. We established a reliable method for image-based PPD symptom quantification and used label-free quantitative proteomics to generate an extensive cassava root and PPD proteome. Over 2600 unique proteins were identified in the cassava root, and nearly 300 proteins showed significant abundance regulation during PPD. We identified protein abundance modulation in pathways associated with oxidative stress, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (including scopoletin), the glutathione cycle, fatty acid α-oxidation, folate transformation, and the sulfate reduction II pathway. Increasing protein abundances and enzymatic activities of glutathione-associated enzymes, including glutathione reductases, glutaredoxins, and glutathione S-transferases, indicated a key role for ascorbate/glutathione cycles. Based on combined proteomics data, enzymatic activities, and lipid peroxidation assays, we identified glutathione peroxidase as a candidate for reducing PPD. Transgenic cassava overexpressing a cytosolic glutathione peroxidase in storage roots showed delayed PPD and reduced lipid peroxidation as well as decreased H₂O₂ accumulation. Quantitative proteomics data from ethene and phenylpropanoid pathways indicate additional gene candidates to further delay PPD. Cassava root proteomics data are available at www.pep2pro.ethz.ch for easy access and comparison with other proteomics data.     

Circadian Protection against Reactive Oxygen Species Involves Changes in Daily Levels of the Manganese- and Iron-Containing Superoxide Dismutase Isoforms in Lingulodinium polyedrum

A circadian rhythm in the total activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) from the unicellular alga Lingulodinium polyedrum is shown to be attributable to the mitochondrial MnSOD and chloroplastic FeSOD isoforms. Activity gels and labelling with polyclonal antibodies against pure CuZnSOD, MnSOD and FeSOD revealed a distinct circadian pattern in the abundance of the latter two isoforms, with peak values in early photophase 5 times greater than at the dark phase. However, no such changes were detected for the CuZnSOD isoform, which remained at constant levels over the 24-h light/dark cycle. These SOD isoforms might provide protection against damage from photochemically generated oxygen radicals, thus preventing subcellular oxidative stress.