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Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression profiles under drought stress in tolerant, intermediate, and susceptible wheat genotypes

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Abstract

Drought is a common abiotic stress that influences crop production to a large extent all over the world. Wheat crop experiences drought at main stages during its life cycle, which induces oxidative stress in the plants. The antioxidant mechanisms of the plant have a significant role in providing tolerance against the water stress. The objective of this work was to investigate the antioxidant activity and transcript profile of antioxidant enzyme related genes in three wheat genotypes to be TN4228 (drought tolerant), TN1399 (moderately tolerant) and TN3737 (susceptible) at control [80% Field capacity (FC)] medium (40% FC) and severe stress (25% FC). Water-limited conditions led to a decrease in relative water content (RWC). However, drought increased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), proline content, and antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX)]. In addition, we observed the enhancement of the delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), CAT, APX and SOD gene expressions at drought stress conditions. Both moderate and severe stresses caused genotype-specific responses, which were dependent on stress severity. According to drought stress and defense systems in TN4228, it was obtained that the engaged genes and enzymes play significant roles in defense responses and could be viable targets to determine the level of drought tolerance.

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Abbreviations

CAT:

Catalase

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

APX:

Ascorbate peroxidase

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

H2O2 :

Hydrogen peroxide

P5CS:

Delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase

RWC:

Relative water content

FC:

Field capacity

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticultural Science and Agronomy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Leila Nasirzadeh & Eslam Majidi Hervan

  2. Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

    Behzad Sorkhilaleloo

  3. Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran

    Foad Fatehi

Authors
  1. Leila Nasirzadeh
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  2. Behzad Sorkhilaleloo
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  3. Eslam Majidi Hervan
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  4. Foad Fatehi
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Correspondence to Behzad Sorkhilaleloo.

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Nasirzadeh, L., Sorkhilaleloo, B., Majidi Hervan, E. et al. Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression profiles under drought stress in tolerant, intermediate, and susceptible wheat genotypes. CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 49, 83–89 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-020-00085-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-020-00085-2

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