Isolation of Tobacco Isoperoxidases Accumulated in Cell-Suspension Culture Medium and Characterization of Activities Related to Cell Wall Metabolism

All of the most important guaiacol-type peroxidase (POX) isoforms accumulated in the culture medium of BY-2 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Bright Yellow 2) cells have been isolated. Five basic and two acidic isoforms were found. The four major isoforms (B2, B3, P1, and P2), all strongly basic, have been purified to homogeneity and partially sequenced. B2 and B3 are new isoforms showing high homology to only one POX isolated so far. Amino acid sequencing and specific activities indicated that basic isoPOXs constitute two pairs of strictly related isoforms (P1/P2 and B2/B3). Their specific activities measured in the presence of different substrates, as monolignols and NAD(P)H, indicated possible specialized functions in cell wall metabolism. Only P-type POXs were able to oxidize indoleacetic acid. Variations in pH could play a regulatory role by changing the relative contribution of different isoforms to total POX activity. Apart from cell culture medium, polyclonal antibodies obtained against P1 and P2 detected P1 in roots and in lower parts of stems. Immunocytochemical labeling indicated that P-type POXs were expressed in stem phloem and in phloem and epidermal cells of roots.