Osmotic stress, endogenous abscisic acid and the control of leaf morphology in Hippuris vulgaris L

Abstract. Previous reports indicate that heterophyllous aquatic plants can be induced to form aerial-type leaves on submerged shoots when they are grown in exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). This study reports on the relationship between osmotic stress (e.g. the situation encountered by a shoot tip when it grows above the water surface), endogenous ABA (as measured by gas chromatography-electron capture detector) and leaf morphology in the heterophyllous aquatic plant, Hippuris vulgaris. Free ABA could not be detected in submerged shoots of H. vulgaris but in aerial shoots ABA occurred at ca. 40ng (g fr wt)⁻¹. When submerged shoots were osmotically stressed ABA appeared at levels of 26 to 40ng (g fr wt)⁻¹. These and other data support two main conclusions: (1) Osmotically stressing a submerged shoot causes the appearance of delectable levels of ABA. (2) The rise of ABA in osmotically stressed submerged shoots in turn induces a change in leaf morphology from the submerged to the aerial form. This corroborates the hypothesis that, in the natural environment, ABA levels rise in response to the osmotic stress encountered when a submerged shoot grows up through the water/air interface and that the increased ABA leads to the production of aerial-type leaves.     

高静水压对小球藻的生理生化效应

对小球藻(Chlorella Vulgaris)进行高静水压处理,分别通过80MPa,300MPa静水压处理,观察高静水压处理时小球藻生理生化效应。实验结果表明,300MPa压力处理1h能够导致小球藻的大量死亡,少量存活的藻细胞经过5d的“停滞期”后开始正常生长。80MPa的压力下处理2h、6h、12h后小球藻的初期的生长速度明显加快,而到生长末期小球藻生长开始趋于平缓。小球藻干质量为12h实验组最大,而单位蛋白含量随着干质量的增加而下降,几种抗氧化酶活性为6h实验组具有最大活性。经过300MPa压力预处理1h后的小球藻再在80MPa压力下进行处理,发现小球藻干质量为2h再处理实验组最大,蛋白含量为6h再处理实验组最高,抗氧化酶的活性随着压力处理时间的增加而下降。     

Shoot Inversion Inhibition of Stem Elongation in Pharbitis nil: A Possible Role for Ethylene-Induced Glycoprotein and Lignin

Inversion of the upper shoot of Pharbitis nil results in the inhibition of elongation in the inverted stem. The objective of the present study was to determine how shoot inversion-induced gravity stress inhibited elongation and to elucidate the possible role of ethylene-induced glycoprotein and lignin in this process. Determinations of hydroxyproline, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), phenol, and lignin content/activity were carried out by appropriate spectrophotometric methods. It was found that inversion and Ethrel treatments of upright shoots caused significant increases in hydroxyproline content, peroxidase, and PAL activity in 12 hours and in phenol and lignin contents in 24 hours. All of these increases except for that of cytoplasmic peroxidase activity were partially reversed by AgNO₃, the ethylene action inhibitor. It is concluded that possible cross-linking associated with the accumulation of ethylene-induced hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein and lignin may be responsible for the later stages of cessation of elongation in the inverted Pharbitis shoot.     

Lignin peroxidase H2 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium: purification, characterization and stability to temperature and pH

The wood-destroying fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium secretes extracellular enzymes known as lignin peroxidases that are involved in the biodegradation of lignin and a number of environmental pollutants. Several lignin peroxidases are produced in liquid cultures of this fungus. However, only lignin peroxidase isozyme H8 has been extensively characterized. In agitated nutrient nitrogen-limited culture, P. chrysosporium produces two lignin peroxidases in about equal proportions. The molecular weights of these two major proteins (H2 and H8) as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 38,500 (H2) and 42,000 (H8). The isoelectric points of these enzymes were 4.3 for H2 and 3.65 for H8. All subsequent experiments in this study were performed with H2 as it contributed the most (42%) to total activity and had the highest specific activity (57.3 U/mg). The Km values of lignin peroxidase H2 for H2O2 and veratryl alcohol were calculated to be 47 microM and 167 microM at pH 3.5, respectively. The pH optima for veratryl alcohol oxidase activity were pH 2.5 at 25 degrees C, pH 3.0 at 35 degrees C, and pH 3.5 at 45 degrees C. In the same manner the temperature optimum shifted from 25 degrees C at pH 2.5 to 45 degrees C at pH 3.5 and approximately 45-60 degrees C at pH 4.5. During storage the resting enzyme was relatively stable for 48 h up to 50 degrees C. Above this temperature the enzyme lost all activity within 6 h at 60 degrees C. At 70 degrees C all activity was lost within 10 min. The resting enzyme retained approximately 80% of its initial activity when stored at 40 degrees C for 21 h at a pH range of 4.0-6.5. Above pH 7.5 and below 4.0, the enzyme lost all activity in less than 5 h. During turnover the enzyme remained active at pH 5.5 for over 2 h whereas the enzyme activity was lost after 45 min at pH 2.5. The oxidation of veratryl alcohol was inhibited by EDTA, azide, cyanide, and by the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, but not by chloride. In the absence of another reducing substrate incubation of lignin peroxidase H2 with excess H2O2 resulted in partial and irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The spectral characteristics of lignin peroxidase H2 are similar to those of other peroxidases. The suitability of lignin peroxidases for industrial applications is discussed.     

Lignin peroxidase: toward a clarification of its role in vivo

The extracellular lignin peroxidase from the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium is thought to play an important role in lignin biodegradation. However, the majority of lignin-derived preparations actually experience overall polymerization at the hands of the enzyme in vitro. It has now been found that, in the presence of H2O2 at pH 4.0, the monomeric lignin precursor coniferyl alcohol is polymerized quantitatively by a lignin peroxidase preparation which is uncontaminated with MnII-dependent peroxidases. 13C NMR spectrometry of the resulting dehydropolymerisates from 13C-labeled monolignols confirms that the frequencies of different interunit linkages are very similar to those engendered through the action of horseradish peroxidase with H2O2. Indeed, lignin peroxidase does not ultimately seem to be a prerequisite for lignin degradation in vivo, yet its activity can still accelerate the conversion of lignin-derived preparations by P. chrysosporium to CO2. Consequently, lignin peroxidase can provisionally be expected to fulfill two important functions. On the one hand, the enzyme may detoxify lower molecular weight phenolic compounds released from lignins during their fungal decomposition. On the other hand, through the introduction of suitable functional groups, lignin peroxidase could indirectly enhance the susceptibility of macromolecular lignin structures toward depolymerization by another enzyme.     

黄孢原毛平革菌木素过氧化物酶类在天然木素降解中作用的研究

通过诱变得到十一株木素过氧化物酶酶活降低的黄孢原毛平革菌（Ｐｈａｎｅｒｏｃｈａｅｔｅｃｈｒｙｓｏｓｐｏｒｉｕｍ）突变株,用灰色理论分析了其木素过氧化物酶类的产生与木素降解能力间的相关性,并从中筛选到一株木素过氧化物酶缺陷、锰过氧化物酶酶活明显降低的突变株,其木素降解能力为原始菌株的８０％左右。该菌粗酶液作用于纤维素酶酶解杉木木素和天然褐腐木素,可产生小分子的木素降解产物,此反应不需Ｈ２Ｏ２参与。红外光谱分析表明粗酶液对木素的作用主要为氧化作用,因此推测此突变株粗酶液中含有不同于木素过氧化物酶和锰过氧化物酶的与木素氧化降解有关的酶类     

Reduced Lignin Content and Altered Lignin Composition in Transgenic Tobacco Down-Regulated in Expression of L-Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase or Cinnamate 4-Hydroxylase

We analyzed lignin content and composition in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines altered in the expression of the early phenylpropanoid biosynthetic enzymes L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H). The reduction of C4H activity by antisense expression or sense suppression resulted in reduced levels of Klason lignin, accompanied by a decreased syringyl/guaiacyl monomer ratio as determined by pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry Similar reduction of lignin levels by down -regulation of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, the enzyme preceding C4H in the central phenylpropanoid pathway, did not result in a decreased syringyl/guaiacyl ratio. Rather, analysis of lignin methoxyl content and pyrolysis suggested an increased syringyl/guaiacyl ratio. One possible explanation of these results is that monolignol biosynthesis from L-phenylalanine might occur by more than one route, even at the early stages of the core phenylpropanoid pathway, prior to the formation of specific monolignol precursors.     

Characterization of a cinnamoyl-CoA reductase that is associated with stem development in wheat

Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR) is responsible for the CoA ester to aldehyde conversion in monolignol biosynthesis, which diverts phenylpropanoid-derived metabolites into the biosynthesis of lignin. To gain a better understanding of lignin biosynthesis and its biological function, a cDNA encoding CCR was identified from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and designated as Ta-CCR1. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Ta-CCR1 grouped together with other monocot CCR sequences while it diverged from Ta-CCR2. DNA gel-blot and mapping analyses demonstrated that Ta-CCR1 is present as a single copy gene in the wheat genome. Recombinant Ta-CCR1 protein converted feruloyl CoA, 5-OH-feruloyl CoA, sinapoyl CoA, and caffeoyl CoA, but feruloyl-CoA was the best substrate, suggesting the preferential biosynthesis of G-type lignin. RNA gel-blot analysis indicated that Ta-CCR1 was highly expressed in stem, with lower expression in leaves, and undetectable expression in roots. CCR enzyme activity was increased progressively along with the lignin biosynthesis and stem maturity. During stem development, Ta-CCR1 mRNA levels remained high at elongation, heading, and milky stages in the wheat H4564 cultivar, while they declined dramatically at the heading and milky stages in stems of the C6001 cultivar. Ta-CCR1 mRNA expression paralleled extractable CCR enzyme activity in these two cultivars. Furthermore, high Ta-CCR1 mRNA levels and high CCR enzyme activity in wheat stem were correlated with a higher Klason lignin content and greater stem mechanical strength in the H4564 cultivar. This suggests that Ta-CCR1 and its related CCR enzyme may be involved in the regulation of lignin biosynthesis during stem maturity and then contributes to stem strength support in wheat.     

不同基因型苦荞幼苗对低磷胁迫的响应

采用沙培法,以4个不同耐低磷苦荞(Fagopyrum tataricum(L.) Gaertn)品种为材料,设正常磷处理(P1,2 mmol/L对照)、低磷胁迫(P2,1 mmol/L)和极低磷胁迫(P3,0.2 mmol/L) 3个处理,研究低磷胁迫对苦荞苗期农艺性状、生理生化指标以及植株磷利用的影响。结果显示:(1)低磷胁迫下,苦荞苗期株高、茎粗、叶面积、地上部干重、根系干重、根系平均直径、根系表面积、根系体积等指标均有所下降;主根伸长、根冠比有所升高,但不同品种的升降幅度有所不同。(2)低磷胁迫使苦荞叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白含量和根系活力均有所下降,根系的SOD活性、POD活性、酸性磷酸酶活性、可溶性糖含量、游离脯氨酸含量显著增加,且表现为耐低磷苦荞品种的增幅大于不耐低磷苦荞。(3)低磷胁迫使苦荞植株全磷含量和单株磷积累量下降,却使磷利用效率升高。研究结果表明耐低磷品种通过主根伸长下扎以及分泌较多的酸性磷酸酶,合理吸收与利用土壤磷素,通过保持叶片较高的叶绿素含量维持较强的光合能力,通过保持较高的抗氧化酶活性降低膜脂过氧化伤害,最大程度的适应低磷环境。     

Purification and characterization of an intracellular peroxidase from Streptomyces cyaneus.

An intracellular peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) from Streptomyces cyaneus was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 185,000 and was composed of two subunits of equal size. It had an isoelectric point of 6.1. The enzyme had a peroxidase activity toward o-dianisidine with a Km of 17.8 microM and a pH optimum of 5.0. It also showed catalase activity with a Km of 2.07 mM H2O2 and a pH optimum of 8.0. The purified enzyme did not catalyze C alpha-C beta bond cleavage of 1,3-dihydroxy-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propane, a nonphenolic dimeric lignin model compound. The spectrum of the peroxidase showed a soret band at 405 nm, which disappeared after reduction with sodium dithionite, indicating that the enzyme is a hemoprotein. Testing the effects of various inhibitors on the enzyme activity showed that it is a bifunctional enzyme having catalase and peroxidase activities.     

Purification and characterization of an intracellular peroxidase from Streptomyces cyaneus.

An intracellular peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) from Streptomyces cyaneus was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 185,000 and was composed of two subunits of equal size. It had an isoelectric point of 6.1. The enzyme had a peroxidase activity toward o-dianisidine with a Km of 17.8 microM and a pH optimum of 5.0. It also showed catalase activity with a Km of 2.07 mM H2O2 and a pH optimum of 8.0. The purified enzyme did not catalyze C alpha-C beta bond cleavage of 1,3-dihydroxy-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propane, a nonphenolic dimeric lignin model compound. The spectrum of the peroxidase showed a soret band at 405 nm, which disappeared after reduction with sodium dithionite, indicating that the enzyme is a hemoprotein. Testing the effects of various inhibitors on the enzyme activity showed that it is a bifunctional enzyme having catalase and peroxidase activities.     

Suppression of Hydroxycinnamate Network Formation in Cell Walls of Rice Shoots Grown under Microgravity Conditions in Space

Network structures created by hydroxycinnamate cross-links within the cell wall architecture of gramineous plants make the cell wall resistant to the gravitational force of the earth. In this study, the effects of microgravity on the formation of cell wall-bound hydroxycinnamates were examined using etiolated rice shoots simultaneously grown under artificial 1 g and microgravity conditions in the Cell Biology Experiment Facility on the International Space Station. Measurement of the mechanical properties of cell walls showed that shoot cell walls became stiff during the growth period and that microgravity suppressed this stiffening. Amounts of cell wall polysaccharides, cell wall-bound phenolic acids, and lignin in rice shoots increased as the shoot grew. Microgravity did not influence changes in the amounts of cell wall polysaccharides or phenolic acid monomers such as ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid, but it suppressed increases in diferulic acid (DFA) isomers and lignin. Activities of the enzymes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and cell wall-bound peroxidase (CW-PRX) in shoots also increased as the shoot grew. PAL activity in microgravity-grown shoots was almost comparable to that in artificial 1 g-grown shoots, while CW-PRX activity increased less in microgravity-grown shoots than in artificial 1 g-grown shoots. Furthermore, the increases in expression levels of some class III peroxidase genes were reduced under microgravity conditions. These results suggest that a microgravity environment modifies the expression levels of certain class III peroxidase genes in rice shoots, that the resultant reduction of CW-PRX activity may be involved in suppressing DFA formation and lignin polymerization, and that this suppression may cause a decrease in cross-linkages within the cell wall architecture. The reduction in intra-network structures may contribute to keeping the cell wall loose under microgravity conditions.     

Molecular weight distribution and structural characteristics of polymers obtained from acid soluble lignin treated by oxidative enzymes

Brown precipitates were obtained by polymerization of low molecular weight lignin fragments contained in a model effluent. Polymerization reactions were initiated by potato-polyphenoloxidase (PPO) or horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) system (HRP/H(2)O(2)). The insolubilization processes occurred after a molecular weight increase of the lignin, as shown by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effect of reaction time, pH and amount of soluble lignin per unit of enzyme activity on the molecular weight distribution was evaluated for PPO-initiated reactions. For HRP-initiated system the amount of H(2)O(2) per unit of enzyme activity was also evaluated. Chemical characterization of the macromolecules obtained under optimized conditions and the soluble lignin fragments present in the effluent suggests that the polymerization reactions occur by oxidative cleavage of alpha-beta unsaturated bonds of the soluble lignin fragments. Methoxyl group analysis showed that p-hydroxycoumaryl units were preferentially oxidized by PPO. In contrast, HRP oxidized preferentially guaiacyl and siringyl units giving more condensed polymers.     

Potato Responds to Salt Stress by Increased Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes

To understand the response of potato to salt stress, antioxidant enzyme activities and ion content were analyzed for a sensitive and a tolerant cultivar. Nodal cuttings of the tolerant cultivar, Kennebec, and the sensitive cultivar, Concord, were exposed to media without or with 30, 60, 90 or 120 mmol/L NaCl for 4 weeks. On exposure to NaCl, the length and fresh and dry weight of both shoots and roots of Concord showed greater decrease than those of Kennebec. The decrease in shoot growth was more severe than that of the root for both cultivars. The K+ content of shoots and roots of both cultivars was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by exposure to NaCl; the Na+ content Increased. Activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase were increased in NaCl-exposed shoots of Kennebec; the corresponding activities inNaCl-exposed shoots of Concord were decreased. Roots of both cultivars showed similar changes in the activities of these enzymes on exposure to NaCl. These studies established that enzyme activities In Concord shoots are inversely related to the NaCl concentration, whereas those in Kennebec do not show a dose dependency, which is also the case for the roots of both cultivars. Our findings suggest that an Increase in activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as ascorbate peroxidase,cetalase and glutathione reductase, can contribute to salt tolerance in Kennebec, a salt resistant cultivar of potato.     

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate biosynthetic pathway.

The poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic pathway from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Initially, an A. eutrophus H16 genomic library was constructed by using cosmid pVK102, and cosmid clones that encoded the PHB biosynthetic pathway were sought by assaying for the first enzyme of the pathway, beta-ketothiolase. Six enzyme-positive clones were identified. Three of these clones manifested acetoacetyl coenzyme A reductase activity, the second enzyme of the biosynthetic pathway, and accumulated PHB. PHB was produced in the cosmid clones at approximately 50% of the level found in A. eutrophus. One cosmid clone was subjected to subcloning experiments, and the PHB biosynthetic pathway was isolated on a 5.2-kilobase KpnI-EcoRI fragment. This fragment, when cloned into small multicopy vectors, can direct the synthesis of PHB in E. coli to levels approaching 80% of the bacterial cell dry weight.     

Influence of salt stress on growth,lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activity in borage (Borago officinalis L.)

Abstract

The effects of increasing salt concentrations on the growth, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and major antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) of borage plants were investigated. Plants were grown in half strength of Hoagland nutrient solution added with 0, 25, 50, and 75 mM of NaCl. Most measured parameters were affected by salinity. Increasing salt levels caused a significant reduction in leaf area, stem length, stem diameter, flower number, and dry masses of different organs. Growth of borage plants, in terms of dry weight, was affected. As a consequence of salinity stress, lipid peroxidation and membrane permeability was increased. Antioxidant activity showed an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, a non-induced activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, and a slight increase in glutathione reductase activity. The results indicate that borage plants appear to be sensitive to salt stress, since enzymes related to antioxidant enzymatic defense system in treated leaves should be highly active.     

Apoplastic Peroxidases and Lignification in Needles of Norway Spruce (Picea abies L.)

The objective of the present study was to investigate the correlation of soluble apoplastic peroxidase activity with lignification in needles of field-grown Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) trees. Apoplastic peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) were obtained by vacuum infiltration of needles. The lignin content of isolated cell walls was determined by the acetyl bromide method. Accumulation of lignin and seasonal variations of apoplastic peroxidase activities were studied in the first year of needle development. The major phase of lignification started after bud break and was terminated about 4 weeks later. This phase correlated with a transient increase in apoplastic guaiacol and coniferyl alcohol peroxidase activity. NADH oxidase activity, which is thought to sustain peroxidase activity by production of H2O2, peaked sharply after bud break and decreased during the lignification period. Histochemical localization of peroxidase with guaiacol indicated that high activities were present in lignifying cell walls. In mature needles, lignin was localized in walls of most needle tissues including mesophyll cells, and corresponded to 80 to 130 [mu]mol lignin monomers/g needle dry weight. Isoelectric focusing of apoplastic washing fluids and activity staining with guaiacol showed the presence of strongly alkaline peroxidases (isoelectric point [greater than or equal to] 9) in all developmental stages investigated. New isozymes with isoelectric points of 7.1 and 8.1 appeared during the major phase of lignification. These isozymes disappeared after lignification was terminated. A strong increase in peroxidase activity in autumn was associated with the appearance of acidic peroxidases (isoelectric point [less than or equal to] 3). These results suggest that soluble alkaline apoplastic peroxidases participate in lignin formation. Soluble acidic apoplastic peroxidases were apparently unrelated to developmentally regulated lignification in spruce needles.     

Modelling the growth kinetics of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in submerged static culture.

The potential commercial application of Phanerochaete chrysosporium requires methods for quantitatively predicting growth and substrate utilization. The growth kinetics of P. chrysosporium INA-12 (CNCM I-398) were investigated and modelled under nonlimiting nitrogen and carbon conditions in submerged static culture. This strain, unlike other strains, does not require nutrient limitation for induction of lignin peroxidase. Maximum levels of lignin peroxidase activity were reached 7 days after culture initiation, when almost 80% of the initial glycerol and 70% of the initial nitrogen were still present. Lignin peroxidase levels then decreased, while biomass levels increased until about day 14. The ratio of cell dry weight to wet weight was constant until the maximum biomass concentration was achieved, after which there was a decrease in the water content. The change in this ratio reflects cell lysis as it correlated with increased concentrations of nitrogen in the media, arising from cell leakage. The suitability of four growth models to predict growth, and in some cases glycerol consumption, was evaluated. A simple linear model and the Emerson model performed poorly for the early stages of growth, while a modified Williams model and the Monod model predicted substrate and biomass concentrations equally well. All models will predict biomass concentrations during the active growth phase, but they should not be used to predict biomass concentrations after the stationary growth phase, when cell lysis becomes significant.     

NaCl胁迫对甘草生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

目的：通过分析不同浓度NaCl胁迫下甘草生长和抗氧化酶活性的变化探讨甘草对盐分胁迫的适应性机理;方法：采用不同浓度的NaCl溶液（配成Hoagland液）处理盆栽一年生甘草,分别于35d、70d和105d取样,测定甘草株高、地上部分鲜、干重、根鲜、干重及甘草叶片SOD、POD、CAT活性,分析各生长指标与抗氧化酶活性的相关性;结果：NaCl胁迫70d和105d,0．6％和0．9％处理组的株高、地上部分鲜、干重及根鲜、干重均显著低于CK,SOD、POD及CAT活性均显著高于CK,经相关性分析得知,SOD、POD及CAT活性与各生长指标均负相关,其中POD活性与各生长指标极显著负相关;结论：甘草对NaCl胁迫的响应有胁迫时间和浓度的依赖性,在遭遇胁迫时,通过改变自身的生长和提高抗氧化酶活性,来提高机体的抗盐能力。     

Tolerance of Mycorrhiza infected pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) seedling to drought stress under glasshouse conditions

The influence of Glomus etunicatum colonization on plant growth and drought tolerance of 3-month-old Pistacia vera seedlings in potted culture was studied in two different water treatments. The arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) inoculation and plant growth (including plant shoot and root weight, leaf area, and total chlorophyll) were higher for well-watered than for water-stressed plants. The growth of AM-treated seedlings was higher than non-AM-treatment regardless of water status. P, K, Zn and Cu contents in AM-treated shoots were greater than those in non-AM shoots under well-watered conditions and drought stress. N and Ca content were higher under drought stress, while AM symbiosis did not affect the Mg content. The contents of soluble sugars, proteins, flavonoid and proline were higher in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal-treated plants under the whole water regime. AM colonization increased the activities of peroxidase enzyme in treatments, but did not affect the catalase activity in shoots and roots under well-watered conditions and drought stress. We conclude that AM colonization improved the drought tolerance of P. vera seedlings by increasing the accumulation of osmotic adjustment compounds, nutritional and antioxidant enzyme activity. It appears that AM formation enhanced the drought tolerance of pistachio plants, which increased host biomass and plant growth.