Activity and isoenzyme composition of vacuolar peroxidase in the roots of red beet at different stages of development and upon changes in storage conditions

Activity and isoenzyme composition of phenol-dependent vacuolar peroxidase (PO) were examined at different stages of development of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) roots. The enzyme activity was found to increase during growth and decrease during the period of root dormancy. The isoenzyme composition of PO was also altered; additional cationic and anionic isoforms were revealed at certain stages of growth and dormancy. The dormant roots are often subjected to stresses, such as water deficiency and pathogenesis. For this reason, the enzyme activity in beet roots showing obvious signs of shrivel and infection with pathogenic microorganisms was investigated. The activation of PO was observed in infected roots, whereas the increase in the number of cationic PO isoforms was noted in water-stressed roots. The pH optima of the enzyme were found to shift depending on the developmental stage and the nature of stress factors: during dormancy and under water stress the pH optima shifted towards the acidic values. The shift in pH optima occurred concurrently with the appearance of cationic inducible isoforms. The pH dependences of cationic PO isoforms (these POs were mainly associated with the tonoplast) showed that their activity was optimal at pH 4.0 and 5.0. The observed changes in activity and composition of isoenzymes suggest the active involvement of the vacuolar peroxidase in metabolic processes and cell defense responses in beet roots.