Changes in the glutathione thiol-disulfide status in wheat grain by foliar sulphur fertilization: consequences for the rheological properties of dough

Storage proteins and glutathione in wheat play an important role in gluten network formation and can be modified by supplementation of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) in wheat plants. The glutathione thiol-disulfide status and its relationship to the molecular weight distribution wheat polymeric protein and dough rheological properties have been examined after different foliar S fertilizations (S derived from micronized elemental S and NS, a mixture of N urea and elemental S) applied at the post-anthesis stage. Changes in levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), polymeric protein-glutathione mixed disulfide (PPSSG) were analysed by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography, during grain development using the wheat cultivars, Soissons and Trémie. During the grain desiccation phase, S supplementation (i) increased the GSSG/GSH ratio by 23–25% (ii) induced PPSSG accumulation, and (iii) decreased the formation of SDS-unextractable polymeric protein (UPP) and its molecular mass distribution. However, simultaneous N and S supplementation results in: (i) a decrease in PPSSG formation by 20–30% and (ii) an increase of UPP by 7–18% by enhancing both the branching of the aggregated proteins and their molecular weight. The mixograph parameters show that all forms of endogenous glutathione are linked to dough weakening and are negatively correlated with dough mixing tolerance, dough strength and consistency, while UPP is positively correlated with dough strength and consistency. These findings indicate that S nutrition influences dynamics of the glutathione forms in the grain and results in modification the degree of polymerization of storage protein. Thus both the changes in the form of glutathione and protein polymerization influence the rheological properties of dough.     

Molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of a phi-type glutathione S-transferase from Oryza sativa

The structural gene for glutathione S-transferase in Oryza sativa was successfully cloned from a cDNA library by the polymerase chain reaction method. The deduced amino acid sequence of this gene showed 44-66% similarity to the sequences of the class phi GSTs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. This gene was expressed in Escherichia coli with the pET vector system and the gene product was purified to homogeneity by GSH-Sepharose affinity column chromatography. The expressed OsGSTF3-3 was a homo-dimer composed of 24 kDa subunit and its pI value was approximately 7.3. The OsGSTF3-3 was retained on GSH affinity column and its K_m value for GSH was 0.28 mM. The OsGSTF3-3 displayed high activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a general GST substrate and also had high activities towards acetanilide herbicides, alachlor, and metolachlor. The OsGSTF3-3 was highly sensitive to inhibition by benastatin A and S-hexyl-GSH. From these results, the expressed OsGSTF3-3 is a phi class GST and seems to play an important role in the conjugation of the chloroacetanilide herbicides.     

Se-containing spirulina phycocyanin attenuated liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice

AIM:To investigate the effect of Se-containing spirulina phycocyanin (Se-SPC) on liver injury of mice induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). METHODS:The mouse model was conducted by intragastric feeding with 2% CCl₄ oil for three times, meanwhile Se-SPC, spirulina phycocyanin (SPC) and Na₂SeO₃ were injected (ip) to various groups for 7 days. Then selenium (Se), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondiaoldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in blood and liver were measured. RESULTS:The level of Se,GPx and SOD activities were obviously higher(P<0.05)but ALT activity,MDA and NO₂^-/NO₃^- levels were remarkably lower(P<0.05)in Se-SPC treated groups than those in CCl₄ groups,and effects of high dose Se-SPC on Se,GPx,MDA and NO₂^-/NO₃^- were even more significant(P<0.01).Under the same dose of Se or protein,effects of all selected targets in Se-SPC groups were more efficient than those in SPC groups and inorganic-Se groups.Furthermore,Se levels had a positive correlation with GPx activity(r=01705),which had negative correlation with levels of MDA,NO₂^-/NO₃^- and ALT(r=-0.629,r=-0.336,r=-0.457,respectively), and positive correlations between ALT activity and MDA or NO₂^-/NO₃^- level were found (r=0.519,r=0.641). CONCLUSION:These results indicated that Se-SPC may attenuate liver injury of mice induced by CCl₄ through its anti-inflammatory action and enhancing selenoenzyme expression.     

Effect of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid and 2,4-dimethylphenol on human erythrocytes

The effects of exposure of human erythrocytes to different concentrations of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and its metabolite—2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP) were studied. The investigations concerned mainly the content of glutathione (GSH and GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione transferase (GST), and the level of adenine energy charge (AEC). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide are produced during normal processes in the cell. Under normal conditions, antioxidant systems of the cell minimize damage caused by ROS. When ROS generation increases to an extent that it overcomes the cellular antioxidant systems, the result is oxidative stress. We observed that MCPA and 2,4-DMP decreased the level of GSH in erythrocytes in comparison with control. MCPA did not affect glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase activity, while 2,4-DMP increased their activity. 2,4-DMP decreased the level of ATP and increased the content of ADP and AMP, leading to the fall of the level of AEC. MCPA and 2,4-DMP transform hemoglobin into methemoglobin, thus preventing oxygen transport. Comparison of the toxicity of MCPA and 2,4-DMP revealed that the most prominent changes occurred in human erythrocytes incubated with 2,4-DMP.     

氨氮胁迫对四鼻须鲤鱼肝脏GST酶活力的影响

实验采用生态毒理学方法,以NH4Cl为实验药物,设置0、50、150和250mg/L实验浓度。通过对野生和养殖群体的四鼻须鲤鱼氨氮对肝脏谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶（GST）活力的影响,比较两个群体抗氨氮能力。结果表明：在相同的氨氮浓度和胁迫时间下,四鼻须鲤鱼养殖群体GST酶活力的变化趋势与野生群体大致相同。除250mg/L浓度组在胁迫5d和10d时,野生群体酶活性略低于养殖群体外,在其余时间点的野生群体酶活性均高于养殖群体,而且,在高浓度氨氮胁迫下,野生群体肝脏的GST酶活性达到峰值的时间比养殖群体更短,显示出较强的抗氨氮能力。     

Activity of glutathione S-transferase toward some herbicides and its regulation by benoxacor in non-embryogenic callus and in vitro regenerated tissues of Zea mays

A procedure was developed to obtain non-embryogenic callus and regenerated lines from root segments of Zea mays grown in aseptic conditions. The activity of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), for non-embryogenic callus, was determined toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and it was compared with that obtained for corn seedlings grown without hormones. For the callus masses, increases of specific activity toward CDNB and the kinetic parameter V_max were observed with respect to corn seedlings. The procedure permitted the regenerating of tissues from callus explants, therefore the GST(CDNB) activity and the effect of the safener benoxacor on its expression were investigated for the regenerated tissues grown in agarized substrate and in liquid medium. These explants showed a constitutive GST(CDNB) activity higher than corn seedlings and this activity was increased, for both tissues, in response to the presence of the safener benoxacor in the growing medium. The GST activity for the above tissues was also assayed toward benoxacor and terbuthylazine, metolachlor and fluorodifen herbicides. Measurable GST activity was found toward some of the above chemicals and it was found to be significantly enhanced in response to benoxacor treatment.     

Effect of smoking on GSH and γ-GCS in lungs of rats and the protective role of N-acetylcysteine

AIM: To investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on the GSH and γ-GCS in SD rats, and the protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). METHODS: SD rats were exposed to cigarette smoke, and GSH concentrations in BALF were measured by GSH-specific DTNB-GSH reductase recycling assay. Expression of γ-GCS protein in lung tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Exposure to cigarette smoking increased GSH content in BALF and the expression of γ-GCS protein in the lung tissue of SD rats. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking affects intracellular GSH concentration and the expression of γ-GCS protein in lungs of SD rats. NAC attenuates the inflammatory reaction resulting from cigarette smoking.     

饮用天然高钼水诱发的钼中毒耕牛主要生物酶测定

本研究对高钼饮水诱导钼中毒的耕牛及对照牛的血浆及组织（肝脏、肺脏、肾脏、脾脏、心脏、肌肉）中超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）、黄嘌呤氧化酶（ＸＯＤ）及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ）等３种生物酶活性进行了对比分析测定。结果表明，血浆和组织中ＳＯＤ、ＸＯＤ及ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ均随着钼中毒的加重其活性显著下降。这３种生物酶是钼中毒比较灵敏且相关较大的生化指标，对钼中毒具有一定诊断价值；测定ＳＯＤ。ＸＯＤ、ＧＳＨ－ＰＸ可作为钼中毒监测的重要手段。     

NADP-malic enzyme and glutathione reductase contribute to glutathione regeneration in Fragaria vesca fruit treated with protective high CO2 concentrations

Treatment of harvested strawberries (Fragaria vesca L. Mara des Bois) with high concentrations of CO₂ is an effective means of limiting fungal decay and avoiding disorders caused by low temperature storage. In the present study, we investigated the role of NADP-ME gene expression and activity in lowering malic acid contents and in the provision of NADPH required for the regeneration of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH). We also measured glutathione reductase (GR: EC 1.6.4.2) activity in strawberries treated with different high CO₂ concentrations (0, 20 and 40% for 3 days) during storage at 0 °C. A decrease in malic acid content in fruit exposed to 20% CO₂ was primarily mediated by the stimulation of NADP-ME activity, rather than associated with changes in the expression of cytosolic NADP-ME genes. Moreover, malic acid decarboxylation was associated with a marked increase in GR activity, which may account for the increased levels of glutathione in fruit following exposure to 20% CO₂. This chain of events was not observed in untreated fruit stored in air or in fruit treated with 40% CO₂, suggesting that the unique cellular redox status of 20% CO₂-treated fruit plays an important role in detoxification and protection from damage during storage. Based on these findings, we propose that NADP-ME activation in fruit exposed to 20% CO₂ provides NADPH for glutathione regeneration by GR, thereby conferring protection against the cellular damage caused by low temperatures or excessive high CO₂ levels.