Cadmium Enhances Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide and Amplifies Activities of Catalase, Peroxidases and Superoxide Dismutase in Maize
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Maize (Zea mays L. cv. 777) plants grown in hydroponic culture were treated with 50 μm CdSO4. Growth and metabolic parameters indicative of oxidative stress and antioxidant responses were studied in leaves of plants treated with Cd. Apart from increasing lipid peroxidation and H2O2 accumulation, supply of Cd suppressed growth, fresh and dry mass of plants and decreased the concentrations of chloroplastic pigments. The activities of catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) were increased in plants supplied 50 μm Cd. Localization of activities of isoforms of these enzymes (POD, APX and SOD) on native gels also revealed increase in the intensities of pre‐existing bands. Stimulated activities of CAT, POD, APX and SOD in maize plants supplied excess Cd do not appear to have relieved plants from excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is, therefore, concluded that supply of 50 μm Cd induces oxidative stress by increasing production of ROS despite increased antioxidant protection in maize plants.
Authors: P. Kumar, R. K. Tewari, P. N. Sharma
Institution: University of Lucknow
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2056713152