Physiological responses to NaCl stress in three wild species of potato in vitro

In this study, responses of wild species of potato to NaCl stress were investigated in vitro. In S. stoloniferum and S. bulbosum, length of the shoot, fresh and dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, K⁺ concentration, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, ascorbate pool, anthocyanin, and phenolic and flavonoid compounds were decreased in response to salinity. In these species, salinity increased the level of Na⁺, lipid peroxidation, proline and ion leakage percentage. In S. acaule, the length of the shoot, and fresh and dry weight were not affected by salinity. Photosynthetic pigments, Na⁺ concentration, proline, flavonoid and phenolic compounds quantities were increased and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio were decreased. K⁺ concentration, lipid peroxidation, ascorbate pool, anthocyanin and ion leakage were not changed by NaCl stress. Superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities were increased in all species. The results suggest that the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in S. acaule (salt tolerant) is more important than the enzymatic antioxidant capacity in comparison with the other species.     

甘薯愈伤组织对干旱胁迫和盐胁迫的生理反应对比

研究干旱胁迫和盐胁迫对“芦选一号”。日‘薯愈伤组织可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸含量、SOD活性等的影响,从而在细胞水平上探讨甘薯抵御渗透胁迫的生理机制。并分析甘薯细胞对干旱处理（PEG-6000）和盐处理（NaCl）的反应差异。结果表明,可溶性蛋白质含量在干旱胁迫下缓慢升高,在轻度和中度盐胁迫的生长前期和中期有较大幅度的上升。但后期下降,表明短时间盐胁迫下,Na^＋可能促进可溶性蛋白的合成;MDA在重度干旱胁迫下的含量显著低于重度盐胁迫,而SOD活性显著高于盐胁迫。表明在盐胁迫下细胞膜透性增加的主要原网是膜脂过氧化作用。干旱处理则是PEG-6000脱水的直接结果;重度干旱胁迫下,可溶性糖含量在短期内迅速升高,然后下降,而脯氨酸含量则在胁迫中后期迅速上升。脯氨酸可能有补偿可溶性糖含量降低的作用。     

Growth and developmental responses of potato to osmotic stress under in vitro conditions

The effect of mannitol on different genotypes of potato was studied in callus and plantlet culture. In vitro responses of five potato genotypes with well-known field behaviour to water deficit were analysed. After a 4-week-long cultivation on media containing mannitol up to 0.8 M, different morpho-physiological parameters were determined and statistically analysed. The useful concentration of mannitol for in vitro screening the osmotic tolerance of different genotypes depended on the type of culture; it was 0.4 M in plantlet-test and 0.8 M in callus-test. In callus-test the relative increase of callus mass was a useful parameter for determination of osmotic tolerance of genotypes at cellular level. In plantlet culture, stress index calculated from the rate of surviving in vitro shoots, number and length of roots per surviving explant and the rate of rooted explants were applicable to determine three groups according to the tolerant, medium tolerant and sensitive categories in agreement with the field behaviour of these genotypes. Under in vitro stress conditions we were able to distinguish the examined genotypes with different drought tolerance.     

Delayed fluorescence imaging of photosynthesis inhibitor and heavy metal induced stress in potato

Early chemical-induced stress in Solanum tuberosum leaves was visualized using delayed fluorescence (DF) imaging. The ability to detect spatially heterogeneous responses of plant leaves exposed to several toxicants using delayed fluorescence was compared to prompt fluorescence (PF) imaging and the standard maximum fluorescence yield of PSII measurements (Fv/Fm). The toxicants used in the study were two photosynthesis inhibitors (herbicides), 100 μM methyl viologen (MV) and 140 μM diuron (DCMU), and two heavy metals, 100 μM cadmium and 100 μM copper. The exposure times were 5 and 72 h. Significant photosynthesis-inhibitor effects were already visualized after 5 h. In addition, a significant reduction in the DF/PF index was measured in DCMU- and MV-treated leaves after 5 h. In contrast, only DCMU-treated leaves exhibited a significant decrease in Fv/Fm after 5 h. All treatments resulted in a significant decrease in the DF/PF parameter after 72 h of exposure, when only MV and Cd treatment resulted in visible symptoms. Our study highlights the power of delayed fluorescence imaging. Abundant quantifiable spatial information was obtained with the instrumental setup. Delayed fluorescence imaging has been confirmed as a very responsive and useful technique for detecting stress induced by photosynthesis inhibitors or heavy metals.     

OsTRXh1 regulates the redox state of the apoplast and influences stress responses in rice

The plant cell apoplast is the compartment beyond the cell plasmalemma, including the cell wall and intercellular space. Many environmental elements can trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst at the plasma membrane which then alters the redox state of the apoplast. Recently, h-type thioredoxin (Trx), OsTRXh1, was identified to be involved in apoplastic redox state regulation in rice. OsTRXh1 is conserved redox-active Trx and can be secreted into the extracellular regions. Through transgenic rice plant, we found that OsTRXh1 regulated ROS accumulation in apoplast and influenced plant development and stress responses. This provides new insights into apoplastic redox state regulation pathway and expands our understanding of h-type Trxs function.     

Hemoglobin redox reactions and oxidative stress

Abstract

The role of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen is dependent on the reversible binding of oxygen to Fe(II) hemoglobin with molecular oxygen released at reduced oxygen pressures. The partially oxygenated hemoglobin formed with the release of oxygen from hemoglobin is susceptible to redox reactions where the functional Fe(II) heme is oxidized to Fe(III) and the substrate is reduced. In this article, we review two important redox reactions of hemoglobin and discuss the ramifications of these reactions. The reduction of oxygen to superoxide starts a cascade of oxidative reactions, which are a source for red cell-induced oxidative stress. The reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide produces a labile form of nitric oxide that can be a source for oxidative stress, but can also have important physiological functions.     

Intestinal redox biology and oxidative stress

The intestinal epithelium sits at the interface between an organism and its luminal environment, and as such is prone to oxidative damage induced by luminal oxidants. Mucosal integrity is maintained by the luminal redox status of the glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) and cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) couples which also support luminal nutrient absorption, mucus fluidity, and a diverse microbiota. The epithelial layer is uniquely organized for rapid self-renewal that is achieved by the well-regulated processes of crypt stem cell proliferation and crypt-to-villus cell differentiation. The GSH/GSSG and Cys/CySS redox couples, known to modulate intestinal cell transition through proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis, could govern the regenerative potential of the mucosa. These two couples, together with that of the thioredoxin/thioredoxin disulfide (Trx/TrxSS) couple are the major intracellular redox systems, and it is proposed that they each function as distinctive redox control nodes or circuitry in the control of metabolic processes and networks of enzymatic reactions. Specificity of redox signaling is accomplished in part by subcellular compartmentation of the individual redox systems within the mitochondria, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and cytosol wherein each defined redox environment is suited to the specific metabolic function within that compartment. Mucosal oxidative stress would result from the disruption of these unique redox control nodes, and the subsequent alteration in redox signaling can contribute to the development of degenerative pathologies of the intestine, such as inflammation and cancer.     

Copy number variations of genes involved in stress responses reflect the redox state and DNA damage in brewing yeasts

The yeast strains of the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex involved in beer production are a heterogeneous group whose genetic and genomic features are not adequately determined. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide a genetic characterization of selected group of commercially available brewing yeasts both ale top-fermenting and lager bottom-fermenting strains. Molecular karyotyping revealed that the diversity of chromosome patterns and four strains with the most accented genetic variabilities were selected and subjected to genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) analysis. The differences in the gene copy number were found in five functional gene categories: (1) maltose metabolism and transport, (2) response to toxin, (3) siderophore transport, (4) cellular aldehyde metabolic process, and (5) L-iditol 2-dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05). In the Saflager W-34/70 strain (Fermentis) with the most affected array-CGH profile, loss of aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase (AAD) gene dosage correlated with an imbalanced redox state, oxidative DNA damage and breaks, lower levels of nucleolar proteins Nop1 and Fob1, and diminished tolerance to fermentation-associated stress stimuli compared to other strains. We suggest that compromised stress response may not only promote oxidant-based changes in the nucleolus state that may affect fermentation performance but also provide novel directions for future strain improvement.     

Organelle redox autonomy during environmental stress

Oxidative stress is generated in plants because of inequalities in the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging. The subcellular redox state under various stress conditions was assessed using the redox reporter roGFP2 targeted to chloroplastic, mitochondrial, peroxisomal and cytosolic compartments. In parallel, the vitality of the plant was measured by ion leakage. Our results revealed that during certain physiological stress conditions the changes in roGFP2 oxidation are comparable to application of high concentrations of exogenous H₂O₂. Under each stress, particular organelles were affected. Conditions of extended dark stress, or application of elicitor, impacted chiefly on the status of peroxisomal redox state. In contrast, conditions of drought or high light altered the status of mitochondrial or chloroplast redox state, respectively. Amalgamation of the results from diverse environmental stresses shows cases of organelle autonomy as well as multi‐organelle oxidative change. Importantly, organelle‐specific oxidation under several stresses proceeded cell death as measured by ion leakage, suggesting early roGFP oxidation as predictive of cell death. The measurement of redox state in multiple compartments enables one to look at redox state connectivity between organelles in relation to oxidative stress as well as assign a redox fingerprint to various types of stress conditions.     

The redox stress hypothesis of aging

The main objective of this review is to examine the role of endogenous reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS) in the aging process. Until relatively recently, ROS were considered to be potentially toxic by-products of aerobic metabolism, which, if not eliminated, may inflict structural damage on various macromolecules. Accrual of such damage over time was postulated to be responsible for the physiological deterioration in the postreproductive phase of life and eventually the death of the organism. This "structural damage-based oxidative stress" hypothesis has received support from the age-associated increases in the rate of ROS production and the steady-state amounts of oxidized macromolecules; however, there are increasing indications that structural damage alone is insufficient to satisfactorily explain the age-associated functional losses. The level of oxidative damage accrued during aging often does not match the magnitude of functional losses. Although experimental augmentation of antioxidant defenses tends to enhance resistance to induced oxidative stress, such manipulations are generally ineffective in the extension of life span of long-lived strains of animals. More recently, in a major conceptual shift, ROS have been found to be physiologically vital for signal transduction, gene regulation, and redox regulation, among others, implying that their complete elimination would be harmful. An alternative notion, advocated here, termed the "redox stress hypothesis," proposes that aging-associated functional losses are primarily caused by a progressive pro-oxidizing shift in the redox state of the cells, which leads to the overoxidation of redox-sensitive protein thiols and the consequent disruption of the redox-regulated signaling mechanisms.     

Hemoglobin redox reactions and oxidative stress

The role of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen is dependent on the reversible binding of oxygen to Fe(II) hemoglobin with molecular oxygen released at reduced oxygen pressures. The partially oxygenated hemoglobin formed with the release of oxygen from hemoglobin is susceptible to redox reactions where the functional Fe(II) heme is oxidized to Fe(III) and the substrate is reduced. In this article, we review two important redox reactions of hemoglobin and discuss the ramifications of these reactions. The reduction of oxygen to superoxide starts a cascade of oxidative reactions, which are a source for red cell-induced oxidative stress. The reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide produces a labile form of nitric oxide that can be a source for oxidative stress, but can also have important physiological functions.     

Characteristics of oxidative stress in potato plants with modified carbohydrate metabolism

Effects of sugars on the development of hypothermia-induced oxidative stress were studied in leaves of two potato genotypes (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Désirée): with normal carbohydrate metabolism and a genotype with increased sugar content modified by insertion of yeast-derived invertase gene. It was found that generation of proceeds more actively in transformed plants than in control plants. On the contrary H₂O₂ concentration and the catalese and peroxidase activities were lower. At the same time, the activities of superoxide dismutase were similar in plants of both genotypes. A short-term incubation of plants at ?7°C confirmed that a higher freezing tolerance of transformed plants was due to low-molecular-weight components of antioxidant protection system rather than to enzymatic component. Literature data and experimental results suggest that the protective effect of sugars is caused by their ability to scavenge ROS nonspecifically under stress conditions     

Cadmium-induced oxidative stress in two potato cultivars

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to characterize the oxidative stress responses of two potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L. cvs. Asterix and Macaca) to cadmium (Cd). Plantlets were exposed to four Cd levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 μM) for 7 days. Cd concentration was increased in both roots and shoot. Number of sprouts and roots was not decreased, whereas Cd treatment affected the number of nodal segments. Chlorophyll content and ALA-D activity were decreased in both cultivars, whereas carotenoids content was decreased only in Macaca. Cd caused lipid peroxidation in roots and shoot of both cultivars. Protein oxidation was only verified at the highest Cd level. H₂O₂ content was increased in roots and shoot of Asterix, and apparently, a compensatory response between roots and shoot of Macaca was observed. SOD activity was inhibited in roots of Asterix at all Cd treatments, whereas in Macaca it was only increased at two highest Cd levels. Shoot SOD activity increased in Asterix and decreased in Macaca. Root CAT activity in Asterix decreased at 100 and 150 μM, whereas in Macaca it decreased only at 50 μM. Shoot CAT activity was decreased in Macaca. Root AsA content in Macaca was not affected, whereas in shoot it was reduced at 100 μM and increased at 200 μM. Cd caused increase in NPSH content in roots and shoot. Our results suggest that Cd induces oxidative stress in both potato cultivars and that of the two cultivars, Asterix showed greater sensitivity to Cd levels.