Role of Catalase in Inducing Chilling Tolerance in Pre-Emergent Maize Seedlings

The mechanisms of chilling acclimation and the role of antioxidant enzymes, catalase in particular, in inducing chilling tolerance in pre-emergent maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings have been investigated. Seedlings were acclimated to chilling stress in two different ways. Three-day-old seedlings did not survive 7 d of 4[deg]C stress unless acclimated by exposure to either 14[deg]C for 1 d or 4[deg]C for 1 d followed by recovery at 27[deg]C for 1 d. Although no changes in superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were observed, both kinds of acclimated seedlings had higher catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase, and guaiacol peroxidase activities compared with nonacclimated seedlings during low-temperature stress and recovery conditions. To study the role of CAT in chilling tolerance, aminotriazole (AT) was used as a tool to artificially inhibit CAT activity and to initiate oxidative stress in the seedlings. Treatment of acclimating seedlings with 3 mM AT for 18 h abolished the acclimation phenomenon. AT treatment was found to be specific to CAT inhibition, because the total activities or isozyme profiles of the other investigated antioxidant enzymes were not altered in AT-treated seedlings. Protein carbonyl content, an indication of oxidative damage, was increased 2-fold in nonacclimated and AT-treated acclimated seedlings. These results collectively indicate that acclimation to prolonged chilling stress can be achieved by briefly pre-exposing the seedlings to 4[deg]C chilling stress and that acclimation-induced (oxidative stress-induced) CAT seems to play a major role, probably along with other antioxidant enzymes, in inducing chilling tolerance in pre-emergent maize seedlings.     

Association of polyamines in governing the chilling sensitivity of maize genotypes

Chilling stress is an important constraint of global production of maize. This study was undertaken to compare the chilling responses of different maize seedling tissues and to analyze changes in polyamines as a result of chilling stress. Reponses to chilling were characterized in two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines, ‘HuangC’ and ‘Mo17’, that putatively differ in chilling sensitivity. Seedlings were exposed to low temperature (5°C) and chilling injury was estimated by electrical conductivity (EC), malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration, and by changes in putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) concentrations in root, mesocotyl, and coleoptile tissues. Membrane permeability (as measured by EC), MDA concentrations and Put concentrations in the three tissue of maize seedlings increased after chilling stress, except for the Put concentration in roots. Spd and Spm concentrations in the three tissues of seedlings decreased after chilling stress. The EC for cold stressed tissues were lower in HuangC than Mo17. Also, the EC of coleoptile tissues were lower than for mesocotyl in both inbred lines. We suggest that mesocotyl tissue can be used to evaluate cold tolerance in maize. Stepwise regression analyses showed that chilling injury in roots was generally correlated with Spd concentration while in the mesocotyl injury was mainly correlated with Put and Spd concentrations. Spermidine and Spm concentrations in the coleoptile were correlated with chilling injury. Characteristics changes of polyamines in chill-tolerant maize seedling combined with regression analysis are a reliable method for evaluating chill tolerance in maize lines.     

Hydrogen peroxide pre-treatment induces salt-stress acclimation in maize plants

The effect of exogenously applied H2O2 on salt stress acclimation was studied with regard to plant growth, lipid peroxidation, and activity of antioxidative enzymes in leaves and roots of a salt-sensitive maize genotype. Pre-treatment by addition of 1 microM H2O2 to the hydroponic solution for 2 days induced an increase in salt tolerance during subsequent exposure to salt stress. This was evidenced by plant growth, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes measurements. In both leaves and roots the variations in lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase) activities of both acclimated and unacclimated plants, suggest that differences in the antioxidative enzyme activities may, at least in part, explain the increased tolerance of acclimated plants to salt stress, and that H2O2 metabolism is involved as signal in the processes of maize salt acclimation.     

Tissue localization of maize acetylcholinesterase associated with heat tolerance in plants

Our recent study reported that maize acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the coleoptile node is enhanced through a post-translational modification response to heat stress and transgenic plants overexpressing maize AChE gene had an elevated heat tolerance, which strongly suggests that maize AChE plays a positive, important role in maize heat tolerance. Here we present (1) maize AChE activity in the mesocotyl also enhances during heat stress and (2) maize AChE mainly localizes in vascular bundles including endodermis and epidermis in coleoptile nodes and mesocotyls of maize seedlings.     

Acclimation,Hydrogen Peroxide,and Abscisic Acid Protect Mitochondria against Irreversible Chilling Injury in Maize Seedlings

Our previous results indicated that 3-d-old dark-grown chilling-sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings did not survive 7 d of 4[deg]C chilling stress, but 69% of them survived similar stress when the seedlings were either preexposed to 14[deg]C for 3 d or pretreated with 0.1 mM H2O2 for 4 h at 27[deg]C (T.K. Prasad, M.D. Anderson, B.A. Martin, C.R. Stewart [1994] Plant Cell 6: 65-74) or 1 mM abscisic acid (ABA) for 24 h at 27[deg]C (M.D. Anderson, T.K. Prasad, B.A. Martin, C.R. Stewart [1994] Plant Physiol 105: 331-339). We discovered that chilling imposed oxidative stress on the seedlings. Since H2O2 accumulated during the periods of both acclimation and nonacclimation, we concluded that H2O2 had dual effects at low temperature: (a) During acclimation, its early transient accumulation signals the induction of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase 3 and peroxidase to scavenge H2O2; and (b) at 4[deg]C in nonacclimated seedlings, it accumulates to damaging levels in the tissues because of low levels of these and perhaps other antioxidant enzymes. Three-day-old seedlings pretreated with H2O2 (a mild oxidative stress) or ABA showed induced chilling tolerance. In the present study, we investigated whether mitochondria are a target for chilling-induced oxidative stress and, if so, what differences do acclimation, H2O2, or ABA make to protect mitochondria from irreversible chilling injury. The results indicated that chilling, in general, impairs respiratory activity, the cytochrome pathway of electron transport, and ATPase activity regardless of the treatment. In pretreated seedlings, the activities of catalase 3 and peroxidase in the mitochondria increased severalfold compared with control and nonacclimated seedlings. The increases in these antioxidant enzymes imply that mitochondria are under oxidative stress and such increases could initiate a protective mechanism in the mitochondria. Mitochondrial respiration is partially cyanide resistant during chilling stress and also after the 1st d of recovery. Upon further recovery over 3 d, in contrast to nonacclimated seedlings, the mitochondria of acclimation-, H2O2-, and ABA-treated seedlings showed the following recovery features. (a) The mitochondrial respiration changed from a cyanide-resistant to a cyanide-sensitive cytochrome pathway, (b) cytochrome oxidase activity recovered to control levels, (c) the ability of mitochondria to generate ATP was regained, and (d) the antioxidant enzyme activities remained at or above control levels. Based on these results, we conclude that chilling impairs mitochondrial function and that chilling-induced oxidative stress seems to be a factor, at least in part, for causing possible irreversible damage to the mitochondrial membrance components. Acclimation, H2O2, and ABA provide a protective mechanism by inducing antioxidant enzymes to protect mitochondria from irreversible oxidative damage that is absent in nonacclimated seedlings. Therefore, we conclude that the ability of the seedlings to recover from chilling injury is, at least in part, due to the ability of the mitochondria to resume normal function.     

玉米幼苗抗氧化酶活性、脯氨酸含量变化及与其耐寒性的关系

研究了黄C（耐寒型）和Mo17（低温敏感型）两种耐寒性不同的玉米自交系幼苗在低温逆境（5 ℃,3 d）下,根、中胚轴和胚芽鞘3个部位过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）活性和脯氨酸（Pro）含量变化及与其耐寒性的关系.结果表明,低温期间,黄C的中胚轴、胚芽鞘相对生长率显著高于Mo17;黄C的根、中胚轴、胚芽鞘3个部位的CAT、POD活性和Pro含量变化率（其中,中胚轴分别为39.02%、-31.35%和86.86%）均高于Mo17（中胚轴变化率分别为1.86%、-48.67%和12.01%）;黄C 3个部位的质膜透性（中胚轴为22.05%）均低于Mo17（中胚轴为29.11%）.逐步回归分析表明黄C低温期间积累的干物质主要与Pro含量有关,而Mo17主要与POD活性有关,玉米幼苗中胚轴对低温反应最敏感,中胚轴Pro含量变化率与玉米耐寒性关系最密切.     

Drought acclimation reduces O2*- accumulation and lipid peroxidation in wheat seedlings

Abiotic stresses cause ROS accumulation, which is detrimental to plant growth. It is well known that acclimation of plants under mild or sub-lethal stress condition leads to development of resistance in plants to severe or lethal stress condition. The generation of ROS and subsequent oxidative damage during drought stress is well documented in the crop plants. However, the effect of drought acclimation treatment on ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation has not been examined so far. In this study, the effect of water stress acclimation treatment on superoxide radical (O(2)(-z.rad;)) accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation was studied in leaves and roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. C306. EPR quantification of superoxide radicals revealed that drought acclimation treatment led to 2-fold increase in superoxide radical accumulation in leaf and roots with no apparent membrane damage. However under subsequent severe water stress condition, the leaf and roots of non-acclimated plants accumulated significantly higher amount of superoxide radicals and showed higher membrane damage than that of acclimated plants. Thus, acclimation-induced restriction of superoxide radical accumulation is one of the cellular processes that confers enhanced water stress tolerance to the acclimated wheat seedlings.     

The Effects of Cold Acclimation on Several Enzyme Activities in Cucumber Seedling

The changes in activities of SOD, peroxidase, catalase and ATPase in chilling sensitive cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings using biochemical and cytochemical methods were studied. The results indicated that the activities of SOD, peroxidase and catalase enhanced dramatically in cold acclimated cucumber seedlings and the three enzymes remained stable under chilling stress. Consequently, the ability of cleaning up free radical of oxygen and peroxidates increased. The cold-tolerant character of plasmalemma ATPase activity was developed after low-temperature acclimation. All these changes provided the possibility for protecting the stability of membrane structure and metabolism from chilling injury, and for the enhancement of cold tolerance by low temperature acclimation.     

Regulation of H+ Extrusion and Cytoplasmic pH in Maize Root Tips Acclimated to a Low-Oxygen Environment

We tested the hypothesis that H+ extrusion contributes to cytoplasmic pH regulation and tolerance of anoxia in maize (Zea mays) root tips. We studied root tips of whole seedlings that were acclimated to a low-oxygen environment by pretreatment in 3% (v/v) O2. Acclimated root tips characteristically regulate cytoplasmic pH near neutrality and survive prolonged anoxia, whereas nonacclimated tips undergo severe cytoplasmic acidosis and die much more quickly. We show that the plasma membrane H+-ATPase can operate under anoxia and that net H+ extrusion increases when cytoplasmic pH falls. However, at an external pH near 6.0, H+ extrusion contributes little to cytoplasmic pH regulation. At more acidic external pH values, net H+ flux into root tips increases dramatically, leading to a decrease in cytoplasmic pH and reduced tolerance of anoxia. We present evidence that, under these conditions, H+ pumps are activated to partly offset acidosis due to H+ influx and, thereby, contribute to cytoplasmic pH regulation and tolerance of anoxia. The regulation of H+ extrusion under anoxia is discussed with respect to the acclimation response and mechanisms of intracellular pH regulation in aerobic plant cells.     

Impact of soluble sugar concentrations on the acquisition of freezing tolerance in accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana with contrasting cold adaptation – evidence for a role of raffinose in cold acclimation

In the present study the cold acclimation potential of two accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated. Significant variation was found for basic tolerance as well as the capacity to acclimate to freezing temperatures. During cold acclimation, levels of soluble sugars increased in both genotypes, but raffinose accumulation discriminated the more tolerant accession Col‐0 from C24. Concentrations of other compatible solutes such as proline and glutamine were also higher in cold‐acclimated Col‐0 than C24 plants. Changes of invertase activity during cold exposure corresponded to changes in sucrose and fructose, but not glucose concentrations and were consistent with an initial chilling response and a later decline in hexose metabolization. When vacuolar invertase was suppressed by siRNA expression, reduced sucrolytic activity resulted in elevated leaf sucrose concentration, whereas the fructose content was strongly reduced. This led to elevated freezing tolerance in the cold‐tolerant genotype Col‐0, but not in C24. The most pronounced metabolic changes in invertase‐inhibited Col‐0 plants occurred for proline and glutamine concentrations, indicating indirect metabolic effects of altered sugar concentrations.     

Ca2+和钙调素对H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐热性的调控

外源H2O2预处理提高了玉米幼苗内源H2O2的含量和钙调素(CaM)活性,缓解了高温处理过程中CaM活性的下降,增加了玉米幼苗在高温胁迫下的存活率.H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐热性的形成可被外源Ca2 处理所加强,被Ca2 螯合剂EGTA、质膜Ca2 通道阻塞剂La3 、胞内Ca2 通道阻断剂RR(钌红),以及CaM抑制剂CPZ(氯丙嗪)和TFP(三氟拉嗪)所抑制,表明Ca2 和CaM参与了H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐热性形成的调控.     

Asymmetric distribution of acetylcholinesterase in gravistimulated maize seedlings

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity has previously been studied by this laboratory and shown to occur at the interface between the stele and cortex of the mesocotyl of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. In this work we studied the distribution of AChE activity in 5-d-old maize seedlings following a gravity stimulus. After the stimulus, we found an asymmetric distribution of the enzyme in the coleoptile, the coleoptile node, and the mesocotyl of the stimulated seedlings using both histochemical and colorimetric methods for measuring the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine. The hydrolytic capability of the esterase was greater on the lower side of the horizontally placed seedlings. Using the histochemical method, we localized the hydrolytic capability in the cortical cells around the vascular stele of the tissues. The hydrolytic activity was inhibited 80 to 90% by neostigmine, an inhibitor of AChE. When neostigmine was applied to the corn kernel, the gravity response of the seedling was inhibited and no enzyme-positive spots appeared in the gravity-stimulated seedlings. We believe these results indicate a role for AChE in the gravity response of maize seedlings.     

Involvement of the chloroplast signal recognition particle cpSRP43 in acclimation to conditions promoting photooxidative stress in Arabidopsis

In this study, we have investigated the role of the CAO gene (coding for the chloroplast recognition particle cpSRP43) in the protection against and acclimation to environmental conditions that promote photooxidative stress. Deficiency of cpSRP43 in the Arabidopsis mutant chaos has been shown previously to lead to partial loss of a number of proteins of the photosystem II (PSII) antennae. In addition, as reported here, mutant plants have lower growth rates and reduced lignin contents under laboratory conditions. However, chaos seedlings showed significantly higher tolerance to photooxidative stress under both tightly controlled laboratory conditions and highly variable conditions in the field. This greater tolerance of chaos plants was manifested in less photooxidative damage together with faster growth recovery in young seedlings. It was also associated with a lower production of H2O2, lower ascorbate levels and less induction of ascorbate peroxidases. Under field conditions, chaos exhibited better overall photosynthetic performance and had higher survival rates. Expression of the CAO gene may be regulated by a light-dependent chloroplastic redox signalling pathway, and was inhibited during acclimation to high light and chilling temperatures, simultaneously with induction of ascorbate peroxidases. It is concluded that the presence/absence of the CAO gene has an impact on photo-produced H2O2, lignification in the hypocotyls and on the plant's susceptibility to photooxidative stress. Therefore, regulation of the CAO gene may be part of the plant's system for acclimation to high light and chilling temperatures.     

Drought acclimation confers oxidative stress tolerance by inducing co-ordinated antioxidant defense at cellular and subcellular level in leaves of wheat seedlings

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings of a drought-resistant cv. C306 were subjected to severe water deficit directly or through stress cycles of increasing intensity with intermittent recovery periods (drought acclimation). The antioxidant defense in terms of redox metabolites and enzymes in leaf cells, chloroplasts, and mitochondria was examined in relation to ROS-induced membrane damage. Drought-acclimated seedlings modulated growth by maintaining favorable turgor potential and RWC and were able to limit H₂O₂ accumulation and membrane damage as compared with non-acclimated plants during severe water stress conditions. This was due to systematic upregulation of H₂O₂-metabolizing enzymes especially ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and by maintaining ascorbate–glutathione redox pool in acclimated plants. By contrast, failure in the induction of APX and ascorbate–glutathione cycle enzymes makes the chloroplast susceptible to oxidative stress in non-acclimated plants. Non-acclimated plants protected the leaf mitochondria from oxidative stress by upregulating superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), APX, and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) activities. Rewatering led to rapid enhancement in all the antioxidant defense components in non-acclimated plants, which suggested that the excess levels of H₂O₂ during severe water stress conditions might have inhibited or downregulated the antioxidant enzymes. Hence, drought acclimation conferred enhanced oxidative stress tolerance by well-co-ordinated induction of antioxidant defense both at the chloroplast and at the mitochondrial level.     

Catalase is a sink for H2O2 and is indispensable for stress defence in C3 plants.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been implicated in many stress conditions. Control of H2O2 levels is complex and dissection of mechanisms generating and relieving H2O2 stress is difficult, particularly in intact plants. We have used transgenic tobacco with approximately 10% wild-type catalase activity to study the role of catalase and effects of H2O2 stress in plants. Catalase-deficient plants showed no visible disorders at low light, but in elevated light rapidly developed white necrotic lesions on the leaves. Lesion formation required photorespiratory activity since damage was prevented under elevated CO2. Accumulation of H2O2 was not detected during leaf necrosis. Alternative H2O2-scavenging mechanisms may have compensated for reduced catalase activity, as shown by increased ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase levels. Leaf necrosis correlated with accumulation of oxidized glutathione and a 4-fold decrease in ascorbate, indicating that catalase is critical for maintaining the redox balance during oxidative stress. Such control may not be limited to peroxisomal H2O2 production. Catalase functions as a cellular sink for H2O2, as evidenced by complementation of catalase deficiency by exogenous catalase, and comparison of catalase-deficient and control leaf discs in removing external H2O2. Stress analysis revealed increased susceptibility of catalase-deficient plants to paraquat, salt and ozone, but not to chilling.     

复合外源物质对玉米幼苗抗寒性的影响

该研究采用不同浓度的水杨酸(SA)、脱落酸(ABA)、磷酸二氢钾(KH2PO4)以及抗坏血酸(VC)进行正交组合获得不同浓度组合的复合外源物质,同时以蒸馏水处理作为对照,将其喷施于玉米幼苗后进行低温胁迫处理,在胁迫结束后使幼苗恢复生长,并测定叶片相关生长指标及生理生化指标的变化。结果表明:(1)与对照组相比,9种复合外源物质处理均可显著提高玉米幼苗的相对生长速率、干物质积累速率及脯氨酸含量,降低相对电导率,总体上提高了玉米幼苗的素质。(2)在4℃低温胁迫下,9种复合外源物质处理下幼苗相对生长速率、干物质积累速率、根系活力、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白含量及可溶性糖含量,均显著高于对照,并减缓了丙二醛的积累和相应的膜脂过氧化,降低了相对电导率,提高了玉米幼苗的耐冷性。低温胁迫条件下,水杨酸、脱落酸、磷酸二氢钾和抗坏血酸四种物质组成的复合物可以提高玉米幼苗的耐冷性,其中以SA0.14 g·L~(-1)+ABA 0.015 g·L~(-1)+KH_2PO_4 3.0 g·L~(-1)+V_C 3.0 g·L~(-1)的复合物效果最好。该研究结果为新型复合抗寒剂的应用推广提供了技术支持。