肋果沙棘幼苗抗氧化酶系统及总黄酮对UV-B辐射增强的响应

该文以青藏高原特有木本植物肋果沙棘为材料,在62 μW·cm^-2的UV-B辐射强度下,分别测定处理了0～6 d幼苗叶片的氧化损伤程度、抗氧化系统酶活性和总黄酮含量及其抗氧化活性,以探究肋果沙棘对UV-B辐射的生理生态响应机制。结果表明:随UV-B辐射时间的增加,肋果沙棘幼苗过氧化氢含量(H₂O₂)和膜脂过氧化产物(MDA)显著增加; 抗氧化系统酶中过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著升高; 过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性呈先降后升的趋势,且活性均显著低于对照,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性无明显变化; 总黄酮含量随辐射时间的积累显著增加,作为非酶抗氧化物质的总黄酮对1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼(DPPH)的清除率与其含量变化具有显著正相关关系。综上结果表明,肋果沙棘幼苗在抵御该辐射产生的氧化损伤中,通过提高CAT活性及增加总黄酮含量来抵御辐射造成的氧化损伤     

UV-B辐射增强对NaCl胁迫下小麦幼苗生理生态的影响

研究了0.4w·m-2的紫外线-B(UV-B)辐射对0.8%NaCl胁迫下冬小麦"小偃926"(TriticumaestivumL.xiaoyan-926)幼苗的生长、光合作用、水分状况、黄酮含量和膜脂过氧化等几方面的影响。结果表明,UV-B辐射和NaCl胁迫单独或复合处理下小麦幼苗的株高、生物量、含水量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和光合色素含量均显著降低,膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛含量和叶片相对电导率则升高,但NaCl胁迫条件下增加UV-B辐射(复合处理)与单独NaCl胁迫相比,上述指标多数均无显著差异(除复合处理下类胡萝卜素含量显著降低外)。两胁迫因子单独或复合处理均明显提高了小麦幼苗黄酮含量及三种抗氧化酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性,且复合处理的促进效应最大。脯氨酸含量在单独UV-B辐射下明显降低,在单独NaCl胁迫和复合处理下显著升高,且复合处理下增幅最大。结果说明UV-B辐射不会明显加剧NaCl胁迫下小麦幼苗的伤害,这可能与NaCl胁迫提高了小麦幼苗黄酮含量、脯氨酸含量和抗氧化酶活性有关。     

外源NO对UV-B胁迫下红豆杉抗氧化系统的影响

为探讨一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)对紫外线-B( UV-B)辐射胁迫下植物抗氧化系统的影响,以盆栽5年生南方红豆杉(Taxus chinensis var.mairei)幼苗为材料,硝普钠(sodium nitroprusside,SNP)为外源NO供体,设置CK(对照)、SNP(+0.1 mmol·L-1SNP)、UV-B(+4.22 kJ·m-2·d-1 UV-B)及UV-B+ SNP(+0.1 mmol·L-1 SNP+4.22 kJ·m-2·d-1UV-B)4个处理,研究外源NO对UV-B胁迫下南方红豆杉幼苗针叶过氧化氢(H2O2)含量、脂质过氧化程度及抗氧化物质含量的影响.结果表明:UV-B胁迫显著提高了南方红豆杉针叶H2O2及MDA含量(P＜0.05),施加外源NO降低UV-B胁迫下针叶H2O2及MDA含量,提高紫杉醇、类黄酮及类胡萝卜素等抗氧化物质含量(P＜0.05);各处理对抗氧化酶活性影响不同,SNP处理显著提高针叶中CAT和POD活性(P＜0.05),UV-B和SNP+UV-B处理均提高针叶中POD活性,降低CAT活性和APX活性(P＜0.05).本研究证实,外源NO可提高UV-B胁迫下植物抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化物质含量,降低其H2O2含量及脂质过氧化程度,从而在一定程度上缓解UV-B胁迫对植物的伤害.     

2种杨树光合色素和抗氧化系统对UV-B与NaCl胁迫的响应

以胡杨和俄罗斯杨(黑杨杂交种)为材料,通过设置增强UV-B辐射、NaCl胁迫(100mmol/L NaCl)、复合胁迫(增强UV-B辐射+100mmol/L NaCl)及对照(不额外施加NaCl和UV-B)4组处理,研究2种杨树对UV-B辐射、NaCl胁迫及其复合胁迫的生理响应及其种间差异。结果显示:(1)增强UV-B辐射、NaCl胁迫及其复合胁迫下,2种杨树的叶绿素含量降低,叶绿素a/b比值减小,类胡萝卜素含量升高;叶片中的膜脂过氧化产物(MDA)和H2O2含量均显著升高;但在复合胁迫下,俄罗斯杨MDA含量要明显低于各单一胁迫处理,而胡杨MDA含量和2种杨树H2O2含量均介于2种单一胁迫处理之间。(2)在3种不同胁迫条件下,俄罗斯杨和胡杨叶片中过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性比对照显著升高,且POD活性在复合胁迫下最高。(3)2种杨树叶片中渗透调节物质(脯氨酸、甜菜碱、可溶性蛋白)含量在各胁迫条件下均比对照明显升高,且脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量在复合胁迫下最高;胡杨甜菜碱含量在3种胁迫条件下的升高幅度均远大于俄罗斯杨,而俄罗斯杨可溶性蛋白含量升高的幅度在增强UV-B辐射和复合胁迫下却明显高于胡杨。研究表明,增强UV-B辐射、NaCl胁迫及其复合处理对2种杨树生长均造成不同程度的胁迫伤害,但2种杨树在复合胁迫下表现出的抗氧化保护能力比在2种单一胁迫下更强,因而复合胁迫对2种杨树的伤害更小,UV-B辐射可能与NaCl胁迫相互拮抗最终减缓了对植物的伤害。     

温度和紫外辐射胁迫对西藏飞蝗抗氧化系统的影响

为探讨西藏飞蝗(Locusta migratoria tibetensis Chen)对环境的适应机制,报道了温度和紫外辐射胁迫对西藏飞蝗抗氧化系统影响。以西藏飞蝗成虫为试材,研究5—20℃低温、30—45℃高温胁迫和紫外线辐射对其抗氧化酶活性和膜脂过氧化物丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。在5—20℃低温胁迫下,成虫体壁和消化道超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量分别随温度降低而升高;在30—35℃高温胁迫下,成虫SOD、POD和CAT活性分别随温度升高而升高,当温度超过35℃时,3种氧化酶活性均下降。长波紫外辐射(UV-A)和中波紫外辐射(UV-B)对处理后24h和72h成虫的SOD活性的影响大于可见光,在UV-A、UV-B和可见光3种光波长处理下,成虫的POD和CAT活性随光照时间的延长而增加,其中UV-B对两种酶活性影响大于UV-A和可见光,表现为UV-B处理组>UV-A处理组>可见光处理组;UV-A和UV-B处理能导致虫体体壁MDA含量明显升高,且对脂质过氧化的诱导存在时间效应;雌虫体壁、雌虫消化道、雄虫体壁和雄虫消化道的MDA含量分别在UV-B72h、UV-A72h、UV-A72h和UV-B72h达最大值0.72、0.88、0.66和0.94 nmol/g鲜重。在20—5℃低温胁迫下,西藏飞蝗成虫抗氧化酶活性升高,能较好的保护自身免遭活性氧自由基的伤害;西藏飞蝗对高温忍耐力差,在高于35℃高温胁迫下,成虫SOD、POD、CAT活性均下降;在长波和中波紫外辐射下,西藏飞蝗抗氧化酶活性显著升高,是西藏飞蝗对紫外线辐射强度大的青藏高原的一种重要适应。     

镉和增强紫外线-B辐射复合作用对大豆生长的影响

研究了Cd^2+和增强紫外线-B(UV-B)辐射以及二者复合胁迫(Cd+UV-B)对大豆生长、光合作用、抗氧化酶活性和吲哚乙酸(IAA)氧化酶活性的影响,结果表明,UV-B辐射对大豆生长较CA^2+有更明显的抑制作用,主要是降低了光合作用,生物量减小;抑制节间的分化和伸长,节间减少,株高降低。UV-B辐射对POD、SOD活性有显著诱导作用,而Cd^2+明显颉颃UV-B对POD活性的诱导并抑制IAA氧化酶活性．在复合作用下,植物体内IAA氧化酶和POD活性较UV-B单独作用下显著降低,这两种酶活性降低会引起植物体内IAA含量升高,同时光合作用略有升高,这是株高和生物量较UV-B作用下有所增加的重要原因,复合胁迫还增强了对根伸长生长的抑制作用,根长度较对照显著降低(P<0．05)。IAA氧化酶和POD活性变化以及光合强度变化与大豆株高和生物量变化密切相关,这也是复合胁迫影响大豆生长状况的重要因素。     

UV-B照射对烟蚜抗氧化系统的影响

为明确UV-B照射能否对烟蚜Myzus persicae造成氧化胁迫以及烟蚜酶促抗氧化系统在UV照射下的应答反应,本研究采用比色法,测定了UV-B照射不同时间(0、15、30和45 min)后,烟蚜体内的总抗氧化能力、丙二醛(MDA)和蛋白质羰基含量,及其体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)的活性。与对照相比,UV-B照射时间为15和30 min时,烟蚜体内的总抗氧化能力、丙二醛和蛋白羰基含量显著升高,当照射时间延长至45 min时,均又恢复到对照水平。UV-B照射烟蚜15 min时,其体内CAT、POD和GST活性均显著升高;照射时间延长至30 min时,SOD活性、CAT和POD活性达到最大值,GST活性恢复到对照水平。当照射时间延长至45 min时,SOD、CAT、POD和GST的活性均恢复到对照水平。本研究表明UV-B照射对烟蚜造成氧化胁迫,使得烟蚜体内酶促抗氧化系统产生应激响应。     

CaCl_2对UV-B辐射下菠菜叶片光合特性的影响

以"丹麦旺盛菠菜"为材料,通过UV-B和CaCl2复合处理,测定光合色素含量、Hill反应活力、叶绿素荧光、MDA含量和抗氧化酶活性等参数,探讨了CaCl2对UV-B辐射下菠菜叶片电子传递链和光合膜酶保护系统的影响。结果表明,UV-B处理下,光合色素含量、chl/car、类囊体膜上PSII潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)、非光化学淬灭系数(qN)、PSII光量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、原初光能转化效率(Fv/Fm),以及Hill反应活力等降低,chla/chlb和MDA含量升高;喷洒CaCl2可不同程度缓解UV-B的伤害。不同处理下,POD、SOD和CAT活性的变化呈现补偿效应。UV-B强度与菠菜叶片PSII功能受损程度呈正相关,CaCl2则主要通过提高chlb含量、类囊体膜上的光量子产量和POD活性,以缓解伤害。重度UV-B辐射下,CaCl2使chlb含量显著提高可能是导致PSII捕光效率提高的重要因素。     

茉莉酸对小麦幼苗UV-B抗性的生理学效应研究

以小麦品种‘西农88’(Triticum aestivum L.,cv.Xinong 88)为材料,研究了外源施加不同浓度茉莉酸(1、2.5、5、10 mmol/L)对UV-B辐射(1.5 kJ·m-2·d-1)下小麦幼苗光合色素、抗氧化酶、丙二醛、游离脯氨酸、紫外吸收物、花青素、根系活力等生理指标以及对其生长的影响,探讨了茉莉酸在UV-B辐射胁迫中的可能作用及其作用机制.研究结果表明,外源茉莉酸对小麦幼苗生理指标产生显著影响,并且表现出浓度效应,其中较低浓度的茉莉酸(1 mmol/L和2.5 mmol/L)能明显提高小麦幼苗的UV-B抗性.表现为低浓度茉莉酸显著提高UV-B辐射下小麦幼苗叶片中的总叶绿素含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性.并且外源施加的茉莉酸还能够增加小麦幼苗的游离脯氨酸含量,降低脂质过氧化水平,提高花青素含量,增强根系活力.可见,茉莉酸通过提高小麦幼苗的抗氧化酶活性,增加渗透调节物含量以及保护性色素含量,从而缓解膜脂过氧化程度和提高防御物质含量,进而增强植物抵抗UV-B辐射胁迫的能力,保证小麦幼苗正常生长.     

UV-B辐射对雨生红球藻光合特性和虾青素含量的影响及其响应

实验研究了不同强度的UV-B(280-320 nm)辐射对雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis)的光合活性、生物量、色素含量、活性氧(ROS)含量和抗氧化酶活性等的影响, 以探讨利用UV-B辐射诱导虾青素生物合成增强的可能性。结果发现, 经UV-B辐射处理后,雨生红球藻的光合活性降低、生物量增长被抑制。UV-B辐射对叶绿素影响不大, 但会改变细胞的类胡萝卜素和虾青素含量:0.1和0.3 W/m2强度的UV-B辐射使细胞中的这两种色素含量升高, 0.5 W/m2组的色素含量短暂升高后恢复到对照水平。中低强度的UV-B可以促进雨生红球藻单细胞虾青素含量的增加, 但由于其对细胞生长的抑制作用, 并不能使虾青素大量积累。随辐射时间延长, 细胞内ROS含量未明显增加,但抗氧化酶(过氧化氢酶和超氧化物歧化酶)活性下降, 雨生红球藻可能主要依靠虾青素来淬灭ROS。以上结果表明, UV-B辐射对雨生红球藻的主要生理生化过程有抑制作用, UV-B辐射既可以诱导虾青素的合成又会消耗一部分虾青素, 对虾青素含量的影响与其强度有关, 而利用虾青素来清除细胞内的ROS可能是雨生红球藻抵御这种不利环境条件的最重要的途径。       

Effects of quercetin and enhanced UV-B radiation on the soybean (Glycine max) leaves

The possible ameliorative effects of quercetin on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] leaves exposed to UV-B radiation were conducted in greenhouse. The symmetrical leaves supplied with quercetin solution (0.2%, 1%) were exposed to UV-B radiation (0, 3.5, 6.5 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹). 0.2% quercetin ameliorated leaf photosynthesis, improved leaf water content (LWC), and decreased lipid oxidation. The unfavorable effect on photosynthetic parameter was displayed in 1% quercetin treatment. The effect of quercetin on phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity varied with the quercetin concentration, UV-B radiation intensity and leaf development. In the later development polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was increased significantly by quercetin treatments. We suggested that quercetin with suitable concentration could serve as UV-B protective agent partly due to its antioxidant capacity.     

Effect of UV-B radiation on the growth and antioxidant enzymes of Antarctic sea ice microalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas</Emphasis> sp. ICE-L

The effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on Antarctic phytoplankton has become an attractive ecological issue as a result of annual springtime ozone depletion. The effects of UV-B radiation on the growth and antioxidant enzymes were investigated using Antarctic sea ice microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L as the material in this study. The results demonstrated that UV-B radiation could notably inhibit the growth, especially at high UV-B radiation intensity (70 μW cm⁻²). Malondialdehyde and O₂ ^·− content in ICE-L increased rapidly in early days (1–3 days) exposed to UV-B radiation enhancement, then decreased rapidly. In the stress of UV-B radiation enhancement, the superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and Catalase activities of 1–4 days in ICE-L were obviously higher than those in the control, and their activities became higher at high UV-B radiation intensity (70 μW cm⁻²). These enzymes activity of 7 days would kept stable at low UV-B radiation intensity (35 μW cm⁻²), but kept high level at high UV-B radiation intensity (70 μW cm⁻²). However, the ascorbate peroxidase activity in ICE-L kept stable under the stress of UV-B radiation enhancement. The above experimental results indicated that the antioxidant enzyme system played an important role in the adaptation of Antarctic ice microalgae under the UV-B radiation change of Antarctic ecosystems.     

UV-B Radiation Mediated Alterations in the Nitrate Assimilation Pathway of Crop Plants 1. Kinetic Characteristics of Nitrate Reductase

The kinetics and other characteristics of nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] seedlings irradiated with biologically effective UV-B radiation (280-320 nm, 3.2 W m^-2 s^-1) were recorded. The in vivo and in vitro NR activities were inhibited by 34 and 41 % under UV-B treatment, respectively. Both V_max and K_m for the substrate were enhanced by UV-B radiation. The K_m for nitrate increased from 1.2 to 1.7 mM after the UV-B irradiation. The change in K_m for NADH was from 0.12 to 0.17 mM. The increases in K_m indicate that UV-B radiation seriously changes the topology of NR, particularly with respect to the nitrate and NADH binding sites. The rate of NR turnover indicates the extent of damage inflicted by UV-B radiation on the nitrate metabolism. The half-life (t_1/2) of NR was reduced from 7 to 4 h in the UV-B treated seedlings. UV-B also inhibited the kinetics of nitrate uptake by plants: its K_m increased from 0.08 to 0.12 mM. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth enhancement of soybean (Glycine max) upon exclusion of UV-B and UV-B/A components of solar radiation: characterization of photosynthetic parameters in leaves

Exclusion of UV (280–380 nm) radiation from the solar spectrum can be an important tool to assess the impact of ambient UV radiation on plant growth and performance of crop plants. The effect of exclusion of UV-B and UV-A from solar radiation on the growth and photosynthetic components in soybean (Glycine max) leaves were investigated. Exclusion of solar UV-B and UV-B/A radiation, enhanced the fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area as well as induced a dramatic increase in plant height, which reflected a net increase in biomass. Dry weight increase per unit leaf area was quite significant upon both UV-B and UV-B/A exclusion from the solar spectrum. However, no changes in chlorophyll a and b contents were observed by exclusion of solar UV radiation but the content of carotenoids was significantly (34–46%) lowered. Analysis of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence transient parameters of leaf segments suggested no change in the F _v/F _m value due to UV-B or UV-B/A exclusion. Only a small reduction in photo-oxidized signal I (P700⁺)/unit Chl was noted. Interestingly the total soluble protein content per unit leaf area increased by 18% in UV-B/A and 40% in UV-B excluded samples, suggesting a unique upregulation of biosynthesis and accumulation of biomass. Solar UV radiation thus seems to primarily affect the photomorphogenic regulatory system that leads to an enhanced growth of leaves and an enhanced rate of net photosynthesis in soybean, a crop plant of economic importance. The presence of ultra-violet components in sunlight seems to arrest carbon sequestration in plants. An erratum to this article can be found at     

不同灌水量下限对高羊茅绿期及抗寒性生理指标的影响

采用盆栽试验的方法,研究了秋末冬初不同灌水量下限\[分别占田间持水量(FC)的80%、70%、60%、50%\]对高羊茅绿期及抗寒性生理指标的影响.结果表明：在冬季低温条件下,80%和70%FC灌水处理使高羊茅叶片相对含水量、保护酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性、叶绿素、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量维持在较高水平,丙二醛含量和电解质外渗率降低,高羊茅的抗寒性增强.80%FC灌水处理分别较70%、60%和50%FC处理的草坪草绿期延长4、22和28 d,到达枯黄休眠的时间最晚,完成返青的时间最早.综合考虑节水和提高水分利用效率等多种因素,70%FC灌水处理为高羊茅秋末冬初季节最佳的灌水下限.     

Growth under UV-B radiation increases tolerance to high-light stress in pea and bean plants

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were exposed to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation in a growth chamber. Leaf discs of UV-B treated and control plants were exposed to high-light (HL) stress (PAR: 1200 mol m^–2 s^–1) to study whether pre-treatment with UV-B affected the photoprotective mechanisms of the plants against photoinhibition. At regular time intervals leaf discs were taken to perform chlorophyll a fluorescence and oxygen evolution measurements to assess damage to the photosystems. Also, after 1 h of HL treatment the concentration of xanthophyll cycle pigments was determined. A significantly slower decline of maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m), together with a slower decline of oxygen evolution during HL stress was observed in leaf discs of UV-B treated plants compared to controls in both plant species. This indicated an increased tolerance to HL stress in UV-B treated plants. The total pool of xanthophyll cycle pigments was increased in UV-B treated pea plants compared to controls, but in bean no significant differences were found between treatments. However, in bean plants thiol concentrations were significantly enhanced by UV-B treatment, and UV-absorbing compounds increased in both species, indicating a higher antioxidant capacity. An increased leaf thickness, together with increases in antioxidant capacity could have contributed to the higher protection against photoinhibition in UV-B treated plants.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isatis indigotica</Emphasis> seedlings derived from laser stimulated seeds showed improved resistance to elevated UV-B

Sterilized seeds of Isatis indigotica (Brassicacae) were divided into four groups based on irradiation pretreatments. These control groups (C) were non irradiated, He–Ne laser treated seeds (L), UV-B treated seeds (B) and He–Ne laser followed by UV-B radiation treated seeds (LB). Laser radiation was provided by He–Ne laser, UV-B radiation was provided by filtered Qin brand 30 W fluorescent sun lamps. Malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, UV-B absorbing compounds and ascorbic acid (AsA) concentrations, as well as, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were measured in the cotyledons of seedlings from all the four irradiation treatments. The result indicate that UV-B radiation enhanced the concentration of MDA while decreasing the activities of SOD, CAT, POD and the concentration of AsA in the seedlings compared with the controls. The concentration of MDA decreased, while the activities of SOD, CAT, POD and the concentration of AsA increased in seedling treated with He–Ne laser and UV-B compared to UV-B alone. The concentration of proline and UV absorbing compounds increased progressively with treatments i.e. UV-B irradiation, He–Ne laser irradiation, and He–Ne laser irradiation followed by UV-B irradiation compared to the controls. The present data suggest that Isatis indigotica seedlings derived from laser stimulated seeds showed improved resistance to elevated UV-B.     

Reduction of ambient UV-B radiation does not affect growth but may change the flowering pattern of Rosmarinus officinalis L.

The effects of sub-ambient levels of UV-B radiation on the shrub Rosmarinus officinalis L. were investigated in a field filtration experiment in which the ambient UV-B was manipulated by a combination of UV-B transmitting and UV-B absorbing filters. As a result, the plants were receiving near-ambient or drastically reduced UV-B radiation doses. Drastic reduction of UV-B radiation had no effect on mean, total and maximum stem length, number of stems per plant, dry mass of leaves, stems and roots and leaf nitrogen and phenolic contents. However, flowering was more pronounced under reduced UV-B radiation during the winter period which coincides with ascending ambient UV-B radiation. In contrast, during autumn and early winter, a period which coincides with descending ambient UV-B radiation, flowering was unaffected by reduced UV-B radiation. We can conclude that natural UV-B radiation does not affect growth of Rosmarinus officinalis, but its reduction could influence the flowering pattern of the species.     

Influence of UV-B radiation on young triticale plants with different wax cover

Ultraviolet-B radiation (biologically effective dose 2.6 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) had negative influence on morphology and physiology of the young triticale plants. Plants exposed to UV-B were of lower height than control plants, their leaves were narrow, and the rate of net photosynthesis was decreased. The line RAH 336, which wax cover is lesser than that of traditional cultivar Magnat, was more susceptible to UV-B radiation, considering primary photosynthesis reactions, recorded by chlorophyll a fluorescence. An activation of protective mechanisms was observed: plants responded to UV-B by an increase of the content of UV-B absorbing compounds, and changes of antioxidant enzyme activities.     

Responses of the flavonoid pathway to UV-B radiation stress and the correlation with the lipid antioxidant characteristics in the desert plant Caryopteris mongolica

Caryopteris mongolica is a dwarf shrub mainly found in grassland and desert areas of north-west China, and which can survive severe environmental stress. This study aimed to assess the responses of the flavonoid pathway to UV-B radiation treatments and its correlation to the lipid peroxide and antioxidant systems in C. mongolica. In UV-B radiation experiments, plants were exposed to UV-B radiation treatments with a intensity of 30 J/s for 1, 4 and 24 h, respectively. A control group without UV-B radiation treatment was also used. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid, levels of lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant system enzymes, accumulations of total flavonoids and anthocyanins, and activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) under different UV-B radiation treatments were investigated. The correlations between products and key enzymes in the flavonoid pathway and the lipid peroxide and antioxidant systems were also analyzed. The results showed that chlorophyll fluorescence parameters decreased within 24 h of treatment. The chlorophyll contents decreased within 4 h and remained stable after 24 h. Carotenoid content significantly increased. The level of MDA, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) and the contents of total flavonoids and anthocyanidins increased, while catalase (CAT) activity decreased under UV-B stress. The activities of PAL and CHI also increased with the increased content of total flavonoids. The flavonoid products anthocyanidins had a significant positive correlation with MDA level, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzyme SOD. In conclusion, UV-B radiation induced the degradation of photosynthetic pigments and decreased photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II; increased the contents of MDA, total flavonoids and anthocyanidins; and also enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX and POD) and key enzymes (PAL and CHI) in the flavonoid pathway in C. mongolica. Thus, we speculate that the flavonoid pathway were involved in the regulation of stress resistance in C. mongolica.