ISSN:
1573-8264
Keywords:
nitrate assimilation
;
Triticum aestivum
;
Zn toxicity
;
Cu toxicity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The effect of Zn2- on nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) activity was studied in botá wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Oasis) leaves and in the NR enzyme partially purified from wheat leaves. Leaf segments were floated on 0 to 5 mM ZnSO4 solutions (pH 6.0) for 24 h under continuous light. Zn2- at 250 μM decreased NR activity and increased membrane permeability. However, parameters of cellular oxidative damage were scarcely affected by Zn2- treatments. Accordingly, the decrease of NR activity induced by Zn2- was not prevented by benzoate (a scavenger of oxygen radicals). The effect of Zn2- was dependent on leaf age: it decreased NR activity in mature but not in young leaves. Zn2 inhibited the partially purified NR. This inhibition was not reversed by either co- or post-incubation with cysteine, and the amount of -SH groups of the purified NR was not affected by Zn2+ indicating that Zn2- inhibition does not involve key -SH groups of the enzyme. However, o-phenantroline both prevented and reversed Zn2+-induced NR inhibition. We concluded that the effect of Zn2+ on NR activity in vivo is not associated with an increase in active oxygen generation and involves a direct and reversible inhibition of the enzyme.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1002760412055
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