Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in Pinus mugo needles growing at elevated stands in the mountains, and their photochemical efficiency of PSII.
Pinus mugo needles were sampled at different altitudes (1420, 1590 and 1920 m a.s.l.) to analyse levels of oxidative stress and changes in maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that almost all superoxide dismutase activity represented Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, and only 4-6% represents Mn superoxide dismutase. In extracts from plants sampled at 1590 and 1920 m a.s.l., lower activity of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase was found. Comparing these data with immunoblots, it can be concluded that the differences in superoxide dismutase activity was related to protein amount. In needles from higher altitudes, a decrease in catalase activity was detected, as opposed to the protein amount, which was higher in needles from the higher stands. Considering the decrease in catalase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activities in needles collected at 1590 and 1920 m a.s.l., we suggest that higher levels of oxidative stress may induce changes in photochemical efficiency of PSII.
Miszalski
Zbigniew
Z
Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology, ul Niezapominajek 21, 30-239 Kraków, Poland. miszalski@ifr-pan.krakow.pl
Libik
Marta
M
Surówka
Ewa
E
Niewiadomska
Ewa
E
D000531:Altitude; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D028223:Pinus / Q000201:enzymology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000201:enzymology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase