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24-Epibrassinolide maintains elevated redox state of AsA and GSH in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedlings under zinc stress

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Abstract

Exogenous-applied 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) increased the seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in terms of seedling length, fresh weight and dry weight both in zinc (Zn2+)-stressed and unstressed conditions. Moreover, EBR lowered the Zn2+ uptake and bioaccumulation. Increased oxidation of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) pools to dehydroascorbate and glutathione disulfide respectively was observed in Zn2+-stressed seedlings, a clear indication of oxidative stress. However, exogenous application of EBR to stressed seedlings inhibited the oxidation of ascorbate and glutathione, maintaining redox molecules in reduced form. Under Zn2+ stress, enzymatic activities of ascorbate–glutathione cycle such as ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase increased but the dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase decreased. Zn2+ stress induced the gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and glutathione-s-transferase activities in radish seedlings were further enhanced with EBR application. Zn2+ toxicity decreased the thiol content but, EBR supplementation resulted in restoration of thiol pool. The results of present study clearly demonstrated that external application of EBR modulates the AsA and GSH redox status to combat the oxidative stress of Zn2+ in seedlings via the AsA–GSH cycle and glutathione metabolism as an antioxidant defense system.

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Abbreviations

CDNB:

1-Chloro, 2,4-dinitrobenzene

EBR:

24-Epibrassinolide

DTNB:

5,5′-Dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoic acid

AsA:

Ascorbate

APX:

Ascorbate peroxidase

DHA:

Dehydroascorbate

DHAR:

Dehydroascorbate reductase

DTT:

Dithiothreitol

γ-GCS:

Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase

GSSG:

Glutathione disulfide

GSH:

Glutathione

GR:

Glutathione reductase

GST:

Glutathione-s-transferase

MDHAR:

Monodehydroascorbate reductase

OPT:

O-Phthalaldialdehde

PMSF:

Phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride

PVPP:

Polyvinylpolypyrolidone

Zn2+ :

Zinc

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Acknowledgments

The financial support to Bellamkonda Ramakrishna under the UGC-RFSMS Scheme from University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India is greatly acknowledged.

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Correspondence to S. Seeta Ram Rao.

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Communicated by A. Gniazdowska-Piekarska.

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Ramakrishna, B., Seeta Ram Rao, S. 24-Epibrassinolide maintains elevated redox state of AsA and GSH in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedlings under zinc stress. Acta Physiol Plant 35, 1291–1302 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-012-1168-7

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