title: Dormancy alleviation by NO or HCN leading to decline of protein carbonylation levels in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) embryos.
abstract: Deep dormancy of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) embryos can be overcome by short-term pre-treatment with nitric oxide (NO) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Dormancy alleviation of embryos modulated by NO or HCN and the first step of germination depend on temporary increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Direct oxidative attack on some amino acid residues or secondary reactions via reactive carbohydrates and lipids can lead to the formation of protein carbonyl derivatives. Protein carbonylation is a widely accepted covalent and irreversible modification resulting in inhibition or alteration of enzyme/protein activities. It also increases the susceptibility of proteins to proteolytic degradation. The aim of this work was to investigate protein carbonylation in germinating apple embryos, the dormancy of which was removed by pre-treatment with NO or HCN donors. It was performed using a quantitative spectrophotometric method, while patterns of carbonylated protein in embryo axes were analyzed by immunochemical techniques. The highest concentration of protein carbonyl groups was observed in dormant embryos. It declined in germinating embryos pre-treated with NO or HCN, suggesting elevated degradation of modified proteins during seedling formation. A decrease in the concentration of carbonylated proteins was accompanied by modification in proteolytic activity in germinating apple embryos. A strict correlation between the level of protein carbonyl groups and cotyledon growth and greening was detected. Moreover, direct in vitro carbonylation of BSA treated with NO or HCN donors was analyzed, showing action of both signaling molecules as protein oxidation agents.
authors: Department of Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: urszula_krasuska@sggw.pl.
authors: Urszula
authors: U
authors: Krasuska
authors: Department of Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Ciacka
authors: Department of Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Dębska
authors: Department of Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: renata_bogatek@sggw.pl.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Bogatek
authors: Department of Plant Physiology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka_gniazdowska@sggw.pl.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Gniazdowska
mesh_terms: D018548:Cotyledon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D018525:Germination; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D027845:Malus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D057445:Plant Dormancy; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: Hydrogen cyanide (HCN); Nitric oxide (NO); Protein carbonylation; Reactive oxygen species (ROS); Seed dormancy; Seed germination.