title: Catalase activity and hydrogen peroxide levels are inversely correlated in maize scutella during seed germination.
abstract: Temporal patterns of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and total catalase activity are presented for post-imbibition scutella from six maize inbred lines expressing variable catalase activity. In all lines examined, H2O2 levels were highest during the initial days post-imbibition (1-2 dpi) and decreased thereafter, while total catalase activity was lowest during early dpi (1-2 dpi) and reached maximal activity at 4-6 dpi. In three of the six lines tested, a simple inverse correlation between catalase activity and H2O2 level was significant by Spearman's rank (P < 0.01). In addition to the general decline in H2O2 level throughout the dpi period, a reproducible increase in H2O2 level was observed at 4-5 dpi in five of six lines examined. Mutant lines lacking CAT-3 activity demonstrated a temporal shift in the occurrence of this increase. The role of total catalase (and individual isozymes) in controlling H2O2 levels during germination and the role of H2O2 as a potential regulator of catalase expression during germination are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7614, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hite
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Auh
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Scandalios
mesh_terms: D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D018525:Germination; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase