Response of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle to excess copper in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.)

• Published in: Plant science (Limerick) Vol. 164; no. 2; pp. 195 - 202
• Main Authors: Drążkiewicz, Maria, Skórzyńska-Polit, Ewa, Krupa, Zbigniew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-02-2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Arabidopsis thaliana; Ascorbate–glutathione cycle enzymes; Biological and medical sciences; Copper; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Metabolism; Metabolism. Physicochemical requirements; Metabolites; Plant physiology and development; Arabidopsis thaliana; Ascorbate–glutathione cycle enzymes; Metabolites; Copper; Enzyme; Glutathione reductase (NADPH); L-Ascorbate peroxidase; Ascorbate glutathione cycle enzymes; Plant leaf; Heavy metal; Dose activity relation; Monodehydroascorbate reductase (NADH); Phytotoxicity; Peroxidases; Enzymatic activity; Cruciferae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Oxidoreductases; Pretreatment; Biological accumulation; Glutathione
• ISSN: 0168-9452; 1873-2259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-9452(02)00383-7

An operation of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle was investigated in leaves of
Arabidopsis thaliana treated with excess Cu (0, 5, 25 50 and 100 μM) for 1, 3 and 7 days. After one-day-treatment significant increase of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activity and decrease of GSH level was found independently on Cu concentration. Activity of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) increased but ascorbate peroxidase (APX) decreased at 5 μM Cu. In plants grown at 25 μM Cu decrease of APX and glutathione reductase (GR) activities was observed. After 3 days of the treatment metabolite level (AA, DHA, GSH and GSSG) increased considerably, particularly at higher Cu concentrations. Plants exposed to 50 and 100 μM Cu showed elevated GR and MDHAR activity, while those grown at 25 μM Cu elevated GR activity but diminished APX activity. Prolongation of exposition time to Cu for 7 days resulted in decrease of APX activity at 5 and 50 μM Cu and DHAR activity at 100 μM Cu. MDHAR activity in plants exposed to 25 and 100 μM Cu and DHAR at 5 μM Cu were greater than control. GSH level decreased significantly at all Cu concentrations and DHA content was elevated at 50 and 100 μM Cu. Changes in activities of the enzymes and metabolite levels of the cycle were first of all a time-dependent, but also Cu-concentration-dependent.