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Oxidative inactivation of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (ammonia). Mechanism and sites of oxidation, degradation of the oxidized enzyme, and inactivation by glycerol, EDTA, and thiol protecting agents.

Acetylglutamate and ATP accelerate the oxidative inactivation of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I by mixtures of Fe3+, ascorbate, and O2, but the mechanism of the inactivation differs with each ligand. In the presence of acetylglutamate, MgATP prevents, Mg2+, Mn2+, and catalase have no effect, and EDTA increases the inactivation, and the two phosphorylation steps of the enzyme reaction are lost simultaneously. The inactivation appears to be mediated by dehydroascorbate and is associated with the reversible oxidation of the highly reactive cysteines 1327 and 1337 and with oxidation of non-thiolic groups in the second 40-kDa domain (the enzyme consists of 4 domains of 40, 40, 60, and 20 kDa, from the amino terminus). The data are consistent with oxidation of groups at or near the site for ATPA (ATPA yields Pi; ATPB yields carbamoyl phosphate), and with the location of this site at the interphase between the second 40-kDa and the COOH-terminal domains. The oxidative inactivation promoted by ATP is inhibited by Mg2+, Mn2+, catalase, and EDTA, is not mediated by dehydroascorbate, and is not associated with oxidation of cysteines 1327 and 1337. Groups in the 60-kDa domain are oxidized. The phosphorylation step involving ATPB is lost preferentially, and the inactivation and the binding of ATPB exhibit the same dependency on the concentration of ATP. The results indicate that the oxidation is catalyzed by FeATP bound at the site for ATPB and support the binding of ATPB in the 60-kDa domain. We also demonstrate that mercaptoethanol, reducing impurities in glycerol, and dithioerythritol, in the presence of EDTA, replace ascorbate in the oxidative system. In addition, we study the influence of the oxidation on the degradation of the enzyme by rat liver lysosomes, mitochondria, and cytosol.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Role of vitamin E in ascorbate-dependent protein thiol oxidation in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum.

Addition of ascorbate or its generation from gulonolactone causes the oxidation of protein thiols and a simultaneous dehydroascorbate formation in rat liver microsomes. The participation of vitamin E in the phenomenon was studied. We measured ascorbate and protein thiol oxidation and lipid peroxidation in vitamin E deficient liver microsomes. Vitamin E deficiency partly uncoupled the two processes: ascorbate oxidation increased, while protein thiol oxidation decreased. These changes were accompanied with an accelerated lipid peroxidation in the vitamin E-deficient microsomes, which indicates the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. All these effects were reduced by the in vitro addition of vitamin E to the deficient microsomes, supporting its direct role in the process. The results demonstrate that vitamin E is a component of the protein thiol oxidizing machinery in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum transferring electrons from the thiol groups towards oxygen.

Animals↗

Gamma-tocopherol supplementation inhibits protein nitration and ascorbate oxidation in rats with inflammation.

Gamma-tocopherol (gammaT) complements alpha-tocopherol (alphaT) by trapping reactive nitrogen oxides to form a stable adduct, 5-nitro-gammaT [Christen et al., PNAS 94:3217-3222; 1997]. This observation led to the current investigation in which we studied the effects of gammaT supplementation on plasma and tissue vitamin C, vitamin E, and protein nitration before and after zymosan-induced acute peritonitis. Male Fischer 344 rats were fed for 4 weeks with either a normal chow diet with basal 32 mg alphaT/kg, or the same diet supplemented with approximately 90 mg d-gammaT/kg. Supplementation resulted in significantly higher levels of gammaT in plasma, liver, and kidney of control animals without affecting alphaT, total alphaT+gammaT or vitamin C. Intraperitoneal injection of zymosan caused a marked increase in 3-nitrotyrosine and a profound decline in vitamin C in all tissues examined. Supplementation with gammaT significantly inhibited protein nitration and ascorbate oxidation in the kidney, as indicated by the 29% and 56% reduction of kidney 3-nitrotyrosine and dehydroascorbate, respectively. Supplementation significantly attenuated inflammation-induced loss of vitamin C in the plasma (38%) and kidney (20%). Zymosan-treated animals had significantly higher plasma and tissue gammaT than nontreated pair-fed controls, and the elevation of gammaT was strongly accentuated by the supplementation. In contrast, alphaT did not significantly change in response to zymosan treatment. In untreated control animals, gammaT supplementation lowered basal levels of 3-nitrotyrosine in the kidney and buffered the starvation-induced changes in vitamin C in all tissues examined. Our study provides the first in vivo evidence that in rats with high basal amounts of alphaT, a moderate gammaT supplementation attenuates inflammation-mediated damage, and spares vitamin C during starvation-induced stress without affecting alphaT.

Animals↗

Roles for redox regulation in leaf senescence of pea plants grown on different sources of nitrogen nutrition.

Leaf senescence and associated changes in redox components were monitored in commercial pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Phoenix) plants grown under different nitrogen regimes for 12 weeks until both nodules and leaves had fully senesced. One group of plants was inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum and grown with nutrient solution without nitrogen. A second group was not inoculated and these were grown on complete nutrient solution containing nitrogen. Leaf senescence was evident at 11 weeks in both sets of plants as determined by decreases in leaf chlorophyll and protein. However, a marked decrease in photosynthesis was observed in nodulated plants at 9 weeks. Losses in the leaf ascorbate pool preceded leaf senescence, but leaf glutathione decreased only during the senescence phase. Large decreases in dehydroascorbate reductase and catalase activities were observed after 9 weeks, but the activities of other antioxidant enzymes remained high even at 11 weeks. The extent of lipid peroxidation, the number of protein carbonyl groups and the level of H(2)O(2) in the leaves of both nitrate-fed and nodulated plants were highest at the later stages of senescence. At 12 weeks, the leaves of nodulated plants had more protein carbonyl groups and greater lipid peroxidation than the nitrate-fed controls. These results demonstrate that the leaves of nodulated plants undergo an earlier inhibition of photosynthesis and suffer enhanced oxidation during the senescence phase than those from nitrate-fed plants.

Aging↗

Class-1 hemoglobin and antioxidant metabolism in alfalfa roots.

In the course of nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, hemoglobin (Hb) turnover is linked to antioxidant metabolism and affects the cellular redox level. The influence of Hb presence on the ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes and the levels of H(2)O(2) and ascorbate was investigated in alfalfa root cultures transformed to over-express (Hb+) or down-regulate (Hb-) class-1 Hb. Hb+ lines had substantially increased ascorbate levels as well as elevated monodehydroascorbate reductase and ascorbate peroxidase activities. Hb- lines showed significant increases in dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase activities. The observed changes in ascorbate and ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes were pronounced both at high (40 kPa) and low (3 kPa) O(2) pressures. Hb- lines had significantly reduced levels of the NO- and H(2)O(2)-sensitive enzyme, aconitase, as compared to Hb+ lines. This reduced activity was likely due the higher levels of NO in Hb- lines, as treatment of plant extracts with the NO-donor DEANO also affected aconitase activity. The H(2)O(2) levels were not significantly different amongst the lines and showed no variation with change in oxygen partial pressure. In conclusion, the expression of class-1 Hb improves the antioxidant status through increased ascorbate levels and increased activity of enzymes involved in H(2)O(2) removal.

Aconitate Hydratase↗

Inhibitory effects of pyridoxal phosphate, ascorbate and aminoguanidine on nonenzymatic glycosylation.

Nonenzymatic glycosylation of serum albumin was studied in the presence of naturally occurring metabolites, pyridoxal, pyridoxal phosphate and ascorbate/dehydroascorbate, and a hydrazine compound, aminoguanidine. Pyridoxal, pyridoxal phosphate, ascorbate and dehydroascorbate, at concentrations of 0.1 mM or greater, significantly inhibited the nonenzymatic glycosylation of albumin. Aminoguanidine was the most potent inhibitor of nonenzymatic glycosylation and 54% or 85% inhibition occurred when 5 or 50 mM aminoguanidine, respectively, was present in the incubation mixture containing 20 mM glucose. A major effect of aminoguanidine was to lower the free glucose concentration in the incubation mixture by a direct reaction with glucose as judged by thin layer chromatography. The present studies suggest that vital metabolites such as pyridoxal phosphate and ascorbate may be potentially important in controlling glucose-induced nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins. Pyridoxal phosphate forms a Schiff base with proteins as does glucose and therefore may be a preferable drug, over aminoguanidine which is a hydrazine, for inhibiting the effects of glucose-induced nonenzymatic glycosylation.

Ascorbic Acid↗

High-level expression of fully active human glutaredoxin (thioltransferase) in E. coli and characterization of Cys7 to Ser mutant protein.

Glutaredoxin (Grx) (12 kDa) is a hydrogen donor for ribonucleotide reductase and also a general GSH-disulfide reductase of importance for redox regulation. To overexpress human glutaredoxin in Escherichia coli, a cDNA encoding human Grx was modified and cloned into the vector pET-3d and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) by IPTG induction. High-level expression of Grx was verified by GSH-disulfide oxidoreductase activity, SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analysis. The recombinant human Grx in its reduced form was purified to homogenity with 50% yield and exhibited the same dehydroascorbate reductase and hydrogen donor activity for ribonucleotide reductase (Km approximately 0.2 microM) as the human placenta protein. Human Grx contains a total of 5 half-cystine residues including a non-conserved Cys7 residue and is easily oxidized to form dimers during storage. A Grx mutant Cys7 to Ser was generated by site-directed mutagenesis and the protein was purified to homogeneity. The mutant protein showed full activity and exhibited a much reduced tendency to form dimers compared with the wild type protein. Peptide sequencing confirmed the mutation and removal of the N-terminal Met residue in both wild type and mutant proteins. Fluorescence spectra demonstrated only tyrosine fluorescence in human Grx with a peak at 310 nm which increased 20% upon reduction and decreased by addition of GSSG demonstrating that glutathione-containing disulfides are excellent substrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dissecting the superoxide dismutase-ascorbate-glutathione-pathway in chloroplasts by metabolic modeling. Computer simulations as a step towards flux analysis.

The present study introduces metabolic modeling as a new tool to analyze the network of redox reactions composing the superoxide dismutase-ascorbate (Asc)-glutathione (GSH) cycle. Based on previously determined concentrations of antioxidants and defense enzymes in chloroplasts, kinetic properties of antioxidative enzymes, and nonenzymatic rate constants of antioxidants with reactive oxygen, models were constructed to simulate oxidative stress and calculate changes in concentrations and fluxes of oxidants and antioxidants. Simulated oxidative stress in chloroplasts did not result in a significant accumulation of O2*- and H2O2 when the supply with reductant was sufficient. Model results suggest that the coupling between Asc- and GSH-related redox systems was weak because monodehydroascorbate radical reductase prevented dehydroascorbate (DHA) formation efficiently. DHA reductase activity was dispensable. Glutathione reductase was mainly required for the recycling of GSH oxidized in nonenzymatic reactions. In the absence of monodehydroascorbate radical reductase and DHA reductase, glutathione reductase and GSH were capable to maintain the Asc pool more than 99% reduced. This suggests that measured DHA/Asc ratios do not reflect a redox balance related to the Asc-GSH-cycle. Decreases in Asc peroxidase resulted in marked H2O2 accumulation without significant effects on the redox balance of Asc/DHA or GSH/GSSG. Simulated loss of SOD resulted in higher H2O2 production rates, thereby affecting all subsequent steps of the Asc-GSH-cycle. In conclusion, modeling approaches contribute to the theoretical understanding of the functioning of antioxidant systems by pointing out questions that need to be validated and provide additional information that is useful to develop breeding strategies for higher stress resistance in plants.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Astrocyte influences on ischemic neuronal death.

Glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and acidosis are primary mediators of neuronal death during ischemia and reperfusion. Astrocytes influence these processes in several ways. Glutamate uptake by astrocytes normally prevents excitotoxic glutamate elevations in brain extracellular space, and this process appears to be a critical determinant of neuronal survival in the ischemic penumbra. Conversely, glutamate efflux from astrocytes by reversal of glutamate uptake, volume sensitive organic ion channels, and other routes may contribute to extracellular glutamate elevations. Glutamate activation of neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is modulated by glycine and D-serine: both of these neuromodulators are transported by astrocytes, and D-serine production is localized exclusively to astrocytes. Astrocytes influence neuronal antioxidant status through release of ascorbate and uptake of its oxidized form, dehydroascorbate, and by indirectly supporting neuronal glutathione metabolism. In addition, glutathione in astrocytes can serve as a sink for nitric oxide and thereby reduce neuronal oxidant stress during ischemia. Astrocytes probably also influence neuronal survival in the post-ischemic period. Reactive astrocytes secrete nitric oxide, TNFalpha, matrix metalloproteinases, and other factors that can contribute to delayed neuronal death, and facilitate brain edema via aquaporin-4 channels localized to the astrocyte endfoot-endothelial interface. On the other hand erythropoietin, a paracrine messenger in brain, is produced by astrocytes and upregulated after ischemia. Erythropoietin stimulates the Janus kinase-2 (JAK-2) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) signaling pathways in neurons to prevent programmed cell death after ischemic or excitotoxic stress. Astrocytes also secrete several angiogenic and neurotrophic factors that are important for vascular and neuronal regeneration after stroke.

Animals↗

Antiperoxidative enzymes in Retama and their seasonal variation.

The antiperoxidative enzymatic activities of ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase and catalase and the content of the antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione were followed in the legume Retama (Retama reatem) in the desert. Antiperoxidative enzymatic activities and antioxidants content were related to seasonal variations in irradiance and precipitation. Retama was found to possess a very efficient removal mechanism for hydrogen peroxide as was shown by the high catalase activity and the high affinity of the ascorbate-glutathione pathway enzymes to their substrates. The increase in irradiance during the spring (March to May) was accompanied by increasing antioxidative enzymatic activities and ascorbate content. A marked enhancement in catalase activity also accompanied the increased light intensity during the spring. Changes in the enzymatic activities of the ascorbate-glutathione pathway followed the increased ascorbate content. These results suggest that physiological adaptation of Retama involves efficient H2O2 removal mechanisms which respond to different seasonal and environmental stresses.

Ascorbate Peroxidases↗

Cellular redox state and activating protein-1 are involved in ascorbate effect on calcitriol-induced differentiation.

Ascorbate has been related to the differentiation of several mesenchymal cells including haematopoietic cells. We have previously demonstrated that ascorbate enhances the activity of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3) on monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. Here, we show that ascorbate-mediated modification of cellular redox state and AP-1 (activating protein-1) DNA binding during early phases are related to the enhancing effect of ascorbate on differentiation. Ascorbate, but not its fully oxidized form, dehydroascorbate, or an ascorbate analogue with a low rate of oxidation, ascorbate-2-phosphate, enhanced the differentiation induced by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, modified cytosolic reactive oxygen species levels and mitochondrial redox potential (delta psi m), and modulated AP-1 DNA binding in HL-60 cells. Ascorbate itself increased AP-1 binding to DNA in noninduced cells, whereas it inhibited AP-1 binding in 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced cells. However, ascorbate increased the mRNA levels of c-jun, junB, and c-fos in 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the enhancing effect of ascorbate on HL-60 differentiation induced by 1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3 is related to its effect on the cellular redox state and the modulation of AP-1 activity.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Development of NaCl-tolerant strain in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. through in vitro mutagenesis.

One NaCl-tolerant chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) variant (E2) has been developed in a stable form through IN VITRO mutagenesis using ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) as the chemical mutagen. Salt tolerance was evaluated by the capacity of the plant to maintain both flower quality and yield under stress conditions. Enhanced tolerance of the E2 variant has been attributed to the increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and, to a lesser extent of membrane damage than NaCl-treated control plants. Isoform analysis revealed that an increase in total SOD activity in the E2 variant was solely due to significant activation of the Cu/Zn isoform. Elevated levels of carotenoids and ascorbate in E2 leaves have been reflected in their higher free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) expressed in terms of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging ability. Data reflect that a proper balance between enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence systems is required for combating salinity stress in chrysanthemum. Better performance of the E2 progeny under same salinity stress condition, even in the second year, confirms the genetic stability of the salt-tolerance character. On the whole, the E2 variant, developed through 0.025 % EMS treatment, might be considered as a NaCl-tolerant strain showing positive characters towards NaCl stress.

Abscisic Acid↗

Cytotoxic effect of ascorbate and its derivatives on cultured malignant and nonmalignant cell lines.

The effect of L-ascorbate and its derivatives on the growth of malignant and nonmalignant cell lines has been examined. L-Ascorbate and its oxidative product dehydroascorbate were cytotoxic or lethal to the fast-growing malignant cells, but they were less toxic to nonmalignant cells. Two isomers of ascorbate, D-ascorbate and D-isoascorbate, both with 5% of the antiscorbutic potency and very high turnover rate, had similar activities. The cytotoxic effect of ascorbate was apparently not related to the metabolic or vitamin activities of ascorbate at the cellular level. Furthermore, studies on the viability of treated cells indicated that the observed effect on cell growth was not cytostatic in nature but was the result of a direct cell-killing action of ascorbate. Several groups of ascorbate derivatives were also tested; many of them were toxic to these cells. The results support the hypothesis that the cytotoxic activity of ascorbate was due to its chemical properties and that certain oxidation and degradation products of ascorbate were cytotoxic agents.

Animals↗

Identification and characteristics of the structural gene for the Drosophila eye colour mutant sepia, encoding PDA synthase, a member of the omega class glutathione S-transferases.

The eye colour mutant sepia (se1) is defective in PDA {6-acetyl-2-amino-3,7,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-pyrimido[4,5-b]-[1,4]diazepin-4-one or pyrimidodiazepine} synthase involved in the conversion of 6-PTP (2-amino-4-oxo-6-pyruvoyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine; also known as 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin) into PDA, a key intermediate in drosopterin biosynthesis. However, the identity of the gene encoding this enzyme, as well as its molecular properties, have not yet been established. Here, we identify and characterize the gene encoding PDA synthase and show that it is the structural gene for sepia. Based on previously reported information [Wiederrecht, Paton and Brown (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2195-2200; Wiederrecht and Brown (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14121-14127; Andres (1945) Drosoph. Inf. Serv. 19, 45; Ingham, Pinchin, Howard and Ish-Horowicz (1985) Genetics 111, 463-486; Howard, Ingham and Rushlow (1988) Genes Dev. 2, 1037-1046], we isolated five candidate genes predicted to encode GSTs (glutathione S-transferases) from the presumed sepia locus (region 66D5 on chromosome 3L). All cloned and expressed candidates exhibited relatively high thiol transferase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities and low activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, characteristic of Omega class GSTs, whereas only CG6781 catalysed the synthesis of PDA in vitro. The molecular mass of recombinant CG6781 was estimated to be 28 kDa by SDS/PAGE and 56 kDa by gel filtration, indicating that it is a homodimer under native conditions. Sequencing of the genomic region spanning CG6781 revealed that the se1 allele has a frameshift mutation from 'AAGAA' to 'GTG' at nt 190-194, and that this generates a premature stop codon. Expression of the CG6781 open reading frame in an se1 background rescued the eye colour defect as well as PDA synthase activity and drosopterins content. The extent of rescue was dependent on the dosage of transgenic CG6781. In conclusion, we have discovered a new catalytic activity for an Omega class GST and that CG6781 is the structural gene for sepia which encodes PDA synthase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thioltranferase mediated ascorbate recycling in human lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate whether thioltransferase (TTase) exhibits dehydroascorbate (DHA) reductase activity in human lens epithelial cells. METHODS: TTase was investigated for DHA reductase activity in vitro by the method of glutathione reductase-coupled spectrophotometric assay. DHA reductase activities of human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) cell lysate and TTase-depleted HLE-B3 cell lysate were determined with a 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-DHA probe and 19F-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. TTase-overexpressing and -depleted HLE-B3 cells were investigated for DHA reductase activity. RESULTS: TTase showed DHA reductase activity at a Km of 0.15 mM and Vmax of 35 nmol/min. Investigation of the DHA reductase activity in human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) cell lysate, by using a 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-DHA probe and 19F-NMR spectroscopy, revealed that cell lysate possesses significant DHA reductase activity. This activity decreased extensively when TTase was depleted from the cell lysate by immunoprecipitation. In a cell-free system with externally added DHA, nearly 70% of the recycling ability was diminished when TTase was removed from the lysate. The TTase-overexpressing cells increased DHA reductase activity twofold. HLE-B3 cells showed an ability to take up and recycle DHA, and this ability was increased approximately twofold in the TTase-transfected cells. Suppression of TTase in HLE-B3 cells by an antisense cDNA strategy resulted in a 77% decrease in DHA reductase activity. CONCLUSIONS: The data provide evidence that TTase plays a major role in ascorbic acid recycling in human lens epithelial cells.

Antibodies, Blocking↗

[Effects of low temperature in the light on antioxidant contents in rice (Oryza sativa L.) indica and japonica subspecies seedlings].

To study the nature and mechanisms of resistance of rice plants to chilling stress, the effects of low temperature treatment (8 degrees C) on the photosynthetic rate and some important compounds forming redox cycles were measured. The rice varieties used are two japonica rice varieties, i.e., Taipei 309 and Wuyujing; three indica rice varieties, i.e., IR64, Pusa and CA212; and one intermediate type, i.e., Shanyou 63. Three types of varieties were studied by comparing. The light intensity-photosynthesis curves, CO2-photosynthesis curves, primary photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), active oxygen species (AOS) (O2*- and H2O2), glutathione (both oxidized and reduced forms) and ascorbate contents in their six-week old seedlings were measured before and after chilling treatment. The results showed that relative to the rice varieties chilling tolerance such as Taipei 309 and Wuyujing, the sensitive ones indica IR64, Pusa and CA212 exhibited a stronger inhibition of maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) (Figs.1 and 2) and a decrease in Fv/Fm (Fig.3), which led to the accumulation of AOS (Fig.6). It was found that the glutathione disulphide (GSSG) content in glutathione pool and that of dehydroascorbate (DHA) in ascorbate pool of the leaves of these sensitive ones under chilling were induced to increase obviously (Table 3). The correlation coefficient between the increases in GSSG, DHA and the decrease of Chl content were -0.701**, -0.656** respectively (Table 4). This indicated that the regeneration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate was inhibited, resulting in accumulations of AOS and the reduction of Chl content (Fig.4) and the inhibition of photosynthetic activity (Fig.1 and Fig.2). The changes in japonica Taibei 309 and Wuyujing were small. And the changes in indica hybrid were lying between the above-mentioned types. Particularly, the ratio of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG (Fig.7) showed similar changes as those in Chl content (Fig.4). The correlation coefficient among Chl content and AsA/DHA, GSH/GSSG were 0.811**, 0.728** respectively (Table 4), significant at 0.01 probability levels. The levels of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratio in rice leaves may be the physiological indexes associated with the sensitivity to chilling in rice varieties.

Antioxidants↗

Redox regulation and storage processes during maturation in kernels of Triticum durum.

Metabolic changes during the development and maturation of Triticum durum Desf. (L.) kernels were studied, with particular emphasis on changes in the redox state of ascorbate and glutathione, as well as in the activities of the enzymes responsible for the recycling of their oxidized forms (ascorbic free radical reductase, EC 1.6.5.4; dehydroascorbate reductase, EC 1.8.5.1; glutathione reductase, EC 1.6.4.2) and for detoxification or utilization of hydrogen peroxide (ascorbate peroxidase, EC 1.11.1.11; catalase, EC 1.11.1.6). In parallel with this analysis, the production and storage of reserve compounds was studied, in particular, soluble carbohydrates (mono- di-saccharides and fructans) and the transition from sulphydryl groups to disulphide bridges into proteins. The results indicate that both the activities of the ascorbate and glutathione redox enzymes and that of catalase are high before the start of drying maturation, after which they decrease. Moreover, analysis of the redox state of ascorbate and glutathione pairs and the sulphydryl to disulphide transition into proteins suggests that these three parameters are tightly related during kernel maturation, thus confirming the involvement of the two redox pairs in protein maturation as well as in protection against reactive oxygen species. The physiological implications of the changes in cellular redox state and in soluble carbohydrates for the acquisition of desiccation tolerance and reaching the resting phase in orthodox seeds are also discussed.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by dehydroascorbate reductase from spinach chloroplasts.

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) reduces dehydroascorbate (DHA) to ascorbate with glutathione (GSH) as the electron donor. We analyzed the reaction mechanism of spinach chloroplast DHAR, which had a much higher reaction specificity for DHA than animal enzymes, using a recombinant enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli. Kinetic analysis suggested that the reaction proceeded by a bi-uni-uni-uni-ping-pong mechanism, in which binding of DHA to the free, reduced form of the enzyme was followed by binding of GSH. The Km value for DHA and the summed Km value for GSH were determined to be 53 +/- 12 micro m and 2.2 +/- 1.0 mm, respectively, with a turnover rate of 490 +/- 40 s-1. Incubation of 10 microm DHAR with 1 mm DHA and 10 microm GSH resulted in stable binding of GSH to the enzyme. Bound GSH was released upon reduction of the GSH-enzyme adduct by 2-mercaptoethanol, suggesting that the adduct is a reaction intermediate. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated that C23 in DHAR is indispensable for the reduction of DHA. The mechanism of catalysis of spinach chloroplast DHAR is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗