title: Oxidative Metabolism of Rye (Secale cereale L.) after Short Term Exposure to Aluminum: Uncovering the Glutathione-Ascorbate Redox Network.
abstract: One of the major limitations to plant growth and yield in acidic soils is the prevalence of soluble aluminum ions (Al(3+)) in the soil solution, which can irreversible damage the root apex cells. Nonetheless, many Al-tolerant species overcome Al toxicity and are well-adapted to acidic soils, being able to complete their life cycle under such stressful conditions. At this point, the complex physiological and biochemical processes inherent to Al tolerance remain unclear, especially in what concerns the behavior of antioxidant enzymes and stress indicators at early plant development. Since rye (Secale cereale L.), is considered the most Al-tolerant cereal, in this study we resort to seedlings of two genotypes with different Al sensitivities in order to evaluate their oxidative metabolism after short term Al exposure. Al-induced toxicity and antioxidant responses were dependent on rye genotype, organ and exposure period. Al affected biomass production and membrane integrity in roots and leaves of the sensitive (RioDeva) genotype. Catalase was the primary enzyme involved in H2O2 detoxification in the tolerant (Beira) genotype, while in RioDeva this task was mainly performed by GPX and POX. Evaluation of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, as well the oxalate content, revealed that Beira genotype coped with Al stress by converting DHA into oxalate and tartarate, which posteriorly may bind to Al forming non-toxic chelates. In contrast, RioDeva genotype used a much more ineffective strategy which passed through ascorbate regeneration. So, remarkable differences between MDHAR and DHAR activities appear to be the key for a higher Al tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hamada
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: AbdElgawad
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Asard
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto-DouroVila Real, Portugal; Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fidalgo
keywords: Al short-term exposure; Secale cereale L.; aluminum; antioxidant response; ascorbate–glutathione cycle; oxidative metabolism