Paraquat toxicity in Pisum sativum: Effects on soluble and membrane‐bound proteins

Itzhak Peleg, Hagit Zer, Mordechal Chevion*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of paraquat (PQ) on Pisum sativum L. proteins were investigated in vivo in a new experimental system utilizing 10‐day‐old plant cuts.A marked decrease in the specific activity of membrane‐bound Ca2+‐dependent ATPase was recorded, while that of Mg2+‐dependent ATPase remained unchanged. Concurrently with a drop in the total plant protein, the specific activities of the three cytoplasmic enzymes, malate dehydrogenase, hydroxypyruvate reductase and triose‐phosphate isomerase, were also found to decrease. The effect on various enzymes involved in cellular defense mechanisms was also studied: glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase activities increased, while ascorbate peroxidase was not affected. These findings shed light on the selectivity of PQ‐induced injurious processes, focusing on protein homeostasis mechanisms in the membrane and cytoplasmic compartments at the cellular level, as well as on the prominent role played by enzymatic defense systems against PQ poisoning.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-135
Number of pages5
JournalPhysiologia Plantarum
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1992

Keywords

  • Ascorbate peroxidase
  • ATPase
  • glutathione reductase
  • paraquat
  • pea
  • Pisum sativum
  • protein damage
  • protein profile
  • superoxide dismutase

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