Response of Nitrate Metabolism in Seedlings of Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.) to Low Oxygen Stress

In order to understand the response of nitrate metabolism in seedlings of oilseed rape （Brassica napus L.） to low oxygen stress （LOS）, two cultivars were studied at different light, LOS time and exogenous nitrate concentrations under hydroponic stress. Results show that N-uptake and dry matter of rape seedlings were decreased after LOS stress while nitrate accumulation （NA） under LOS was induced by darkness. Nitrate accumulation peaked at 3 d while root activity （RA, deifned as dehydrogenase activity） decreased with prolonged waterlogging exposure. Exogenous nitrate signiifcantly elevated NA and RA. Tungstate （TS） and LOS inhibited nitrate reductase （NR） activity while NR transcription and activity were enhanced by exogenous nitrate. Low oxygen stress stimulated the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and peroxidase （POD） slightly, but inhibited that of catalase （CAT）. B. napus L. Zhongshuang 10 （ZS10）, a LOS tolerant cultivar, displayed smaller decrease upon dry matter under LOS, higher NA in darkness and lower NA in light than B. napus L. Ganlan CC （GAC）, a LOS sensitive variety. ZS10 had lower NA and higher RA after waterlogging and exogenous nitrate treatment, and higher NR activity under TS inhibition than GAC, but the activity of antioxidant enzymes did not change under LOS. The results indicate that nitrate metabolism involved tolerance of rape seedlings to LOS, with lower accumulation and higher reduction of nitrate being related to higher LOS tolerance of rape seedlings exposed to waterlogging.

Progress in Researches on the Effect of Acupuncture in Antagonizing Oxygen Stress

Oxidation and free radicals participate in the pathological process of multiple diseases in organisms, and acupuncture shows good effect in antagonizing oxygen stress (OS). This article reviews the effect of acupuncture in antagonizing oxygen stress and the mechanism of its anti-free radical effect in various diseases. The authors hold that acupuncture not only has a chain-blocking effect, but also has preventive and repairing effects of anti-oxidation. And anti-OS action is one of the important mechanisms of acupuncture.

Stress corrosion cracking behavior of 310S in supercritical water with different oxygen concentrations

The effect of dissolved oxygen(DO) on the stress corrosion cracking(SCC) of 310 S in supercritical water was investigated using slow-strain-rate tensile tests.The tensile properties, fracture morphology, and distribution of the chemical composition of the oxide were analyzed to evaluate the SCC susceptibility of 310 S. The results showed that the rupture elongation decreased significantly as the degree of DO increased. A brittle fracture mode was observed on the fracture surface, and only intergranular cracking was observed on the surface of the gauge section, regardless of the DO. Cracks were widely distributed on the gauge surface near the fracture surface.Oxides were observed in the cracks with two-layered structures, i.e., a Cr-rich inner oxide layer and an Fe-rich outer oxide layer.

Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction by reducing oxidant stress and inflammation

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a crucial public health issue that has been increasingly studied in efforts to reduce symptoms or prevent its occurrence. However, effective advances remain lacking. Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning has proved to protect vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and brain. Recently, it has been introduced and widely studied in the prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, with promising results. However, the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain controversial. This review summarizes and highlights the definition and application of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning, the perniciousness and pathogenetic mechanism underlying postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and the effects that hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning has on postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Finally, we conclude that hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning is an effective and feasible method to prevent, alleviate, and improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and that its mechanism of action is very complex, involving the stimulation of endogenous antioxidant and anti-inflammation defense systems.

Effects of Water Stress on Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Protection System in Rice During Grain-Filling Stage

Rice is one of the main staple food crops in the world, but it may suffer serious water stress during growth period. Water stress during grain filling results in decreased grain yeild, but its mechanism generating and scavenging the active oxygen is unclear under continuance of the water stress. The experiment was carried out in growth chamber to investigate the effects of water stress on the production of superoxide free radical （O2）, hydrogen peroxide （H202）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, reduced glutathione （GSH）, ascorbic acid （AsA）, and antioxidative enzyme activities in three rice hybrids with differing drought resistant under both normal and drought conditions during grain-filling stage. The results showed that water stress aggravated the membrane lipid peroxidation in rice leaves, which was more severe in less drought resistant hybrids than that in more tolerant ones. Also O2＇ and H2O2 accumulated more rapidly in less drought resistant hybrids than that in more tolerant ones. During water stress, decreases of GSH, AsA, chlorophyll, and relative water contents in more drought resistant hybrids were obvious less than those in less tolerant ones. Activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and peroxidase （POD） in/eaves increased obviously in 0-14 d after heading and subsequently decreased rapidly, and those in more drought resistant hybrids were more than those in less tolerant ones. The results showed that changes of O2, H2O2, MDA, GSH, and AsA contents and antioxidative enzyme activities correlated significantly to drought resistance of rice hybrids, and more drought resistant hybrids possessed high ant oxidation capacity.

Edaravone protects against oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration-induced apoptosis in spinal cord astrocytes by inhibiting integrated stress response

We previously found that oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration（OGSD/R） induces apoptosis of spinal cord astrocytes, possibly via caspase-12 and the integrated stress response, which involves protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase（PERK）, eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha（eIF2α） and activating transcription factor 4（ATF4）. We hypothesized that edaravone, a low molecular weight, lipophilic free radical scavenger, would reduce OGSD/R-induced apoptosis of spinal cord astrocytes. To test this, we established primary cultures of rat astrocytes, and exposed them to 8 hours/6 hours of OGSD/R with or without edaravone（0.1, 1, 10, 100 μM） treatment. We found that 100 μM of edaravone significantly suppressed astrocyte apoptosis and inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species. It also inhibited the activation of caspase-12 and caspase-3, and reduced the expression of homologous CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, phosphorylated（p）-PERK, p-eIF2α, and ATF4. These results point to a new use of an established drug in the prevention of OGSD/R-mediated spinal cord astrocyte apoptosis via the integrated stress response.

Organogermanium (Ge-132) Suppresses Activities of Stress Enzymes Responsible for Active Oxygen Species in Monkey Liver Preparation

Assays of stress enzymes related to active oxygen species were performed by using an in vitro preparation from the liver of a monkey (Japanese Macaque). Ge-132, an organic germanium compound, viz. poly-trans-[(2-carboxyethyl) germasesquioxane] [(GeCH2CH2COOH)2O3]n, suppressed the activities of NADH-dependent oxidase and NADPH-dependent oxidase [NAD(P)H-OD] and xanthine oxidase (XOD) as superoxide-forming enzymes, while promoting the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a superoxide-scavenging enzyme and catalase (CAT) as an enzyme responsible for degradation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The evidence suggests that the levels of active oxygen species such as and H2O2 would be reduced by Ge-132. The possible connection between Ge-132 and activities of stress enzymes is discussed on the basis of these results.

Effect of Cd, Pb Stress on the Activated Oxygen Scavenging System in Tobacco Leaves

The effect of Cd, Pb stress on the activated oxygen scavenging system indicates thatthe content of chlorophyll, chlorophyll a/b ratio and the activity of CAT gradually decrease,the activity of SOD increases first and then decreases, and the activity of POD gradually increases with increasing concentrations of Cd and Ph. Between Cd and Ph there is synergism inthe activated oxygen scavenging system. The results show that the stress of Cd and Pb can affect the scavenging system of activated oxygen and result in imbalance of activated oxygenmetabolism.

Regulation of heme oxygenase expression by alcohol,hypoxia and oxidative stress

AIM:To study the effect of both acute and chronic alcohol exposure on heme oxygenases(HOs) in the brain,liver and duodenum.METHODS:Wild-type C57BL/6 mice,heterozygous Sod2 knockout mice,which exhibit attenuated manganese superoxide dismutase activity,and liver-specific ARNT knockout mice were used to investigate the role of alcohol-induced oxidative stress and hypoxia.For acute alcohol exposure,ethanol was administered in the drinking water for 1 wk.Mice were pair-fed with regular or ethanol-containing Lieber De Carli liquid diets for 4 wk for chronic alcohol studies.HO expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.RESULTS:Chronic alcohol exposure downregulated HO-1 expression in the brain but upregulated it in the duodenum of wild-type mice.It did not alter liver HO-1 expression,nor HO-2 expression in the brain,liver or duodenum.In contrast,acute alcohol exposure decreased both liver HO-1 and HO-2 expression,and HO-2 expression in the duodenum of wild-type mice.The decrease in liver HO-1 expression was abolished in ARNT+/-mice.Sod2+/-mice with acute alcohol exposure did not exhibit any changes in liver HO-1 and HO-2 expression or in brain HO-2 expression.However,alcohol inhibited brain HO-1 and duodenal HO-2 but increased duodenal HO-1 expression in Sod2+/-mice.Collectively,these findings indicate that acute and chronic alcohol exposure regulates HO expression in a tissue-specific manner.Chronic alcohol exposure alters brain and duodenal,but not liver HO expression.However,acute alcohol exposure inhibits liver HO-1 and HO-2,and also duodenal HO-2 expression.CONCLUSION:The inhibition of liver HO expression by acute alcohol-induced hypoxia may play a role in the early phases of alcoholic liver disease progression.

Effects of Exogenous NO on Active Oxygen Metabolism in Cucumber Seedlings under NaCl Stress

Employing nutrient solution hydroponic method,the effects of exogenous nitric oxide（NO）on the growth and active oxygen metabolism in cucumber（Cucumis sativus L.）seedlings under NaCl stress were investigated.The results indicated that NaCl treatment significantly inhibited the growth of cucumber seedlings,while exogenous NO could significantly alleviate the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress on seedling growth.Especially,0.1 mmol/L SNP treatment exhibited better effects than 0.5 mmol/L SNP treatment on alleviating NaCl stress.Under 0.1 mmol/L NaCl stress,adding 0.1 mmol/L exogenous NO could significantly decrease the generation rate of O·-2and MDA content,significantly improve soluble protein content and enhance the activities of SOD,POD and CAT,thus reducing the damage of salt stress to cucumber seedlings.

Effects of salt-alkali stress on active oxygen metabolism in roots of Spiraea × bumalda 'Gold Mound' and Spiraea × bumalda 'Gold Flame'

Under artificially-simulated complex salt-alkali stress, the levels of active oxygen metabolism in roots were studied using three-year-old cutting seedlings of Spiraea × bumalda ‘Gold Mound＇ and Spiraea × bumalda ‘Gold Flame＇. The present study aimed at exploring the antioxidant capacity in roots of spiraeas and revealing their adaptability to salt-alkali stress. Results indicate that the oxygen free radicals contents, electrolyte leakage rates and MDA contents in roots of Spiraea × bumalda ＇Gold Mound＇ and Spiraea × bumalda ＇Gold Flame＇ show an increasing tendency with the increases of the salinity and pH value, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD） and catalase （CAT） all increased firstly and then decreased. With the increase in intensity of salt-alkali stress, the CAT activity in roots of Spiraea × bumalda ‘Gold Flame＇ is higher and the increasing extents in the oxygen free radicals contents, electrolyte leakage rates as well as MDA contents are lower compared with Spiraea × bumalda ‘Gold Mound＇, indicating that Spiraea × bumalda ‘Gold Flame＇ has a stronger antioxidant capacity.

Production of reactive oxygen species by freezing stress and the protective roles of antioxidant enzymes in plants

As one of the most severe environmental stresses, freezing stress can determine native flora in nature and severely reduce crop production. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the damage induced by freezing-thawing cycle, and oxidative stress caused by uncontrollable production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) are partially contributed to causing the injury. Plants in temperate regions have evolved a unique but effective metabolism of protecting themselves called cold acclimation. Cold-acclimating plants undergo a complex but orchestrated metabolic process to increase cold hardness triggered by exposure to low temperature and shortened photoperiod and achieve the maximum freezing tolerance by a concerted regulation and expression of a number of cold responsive genes. A complicated enzymatic system have been evolved in plants to scavenge the ROS to protect themselves from oxidative stress, therefore, cold-acclimating plants are expected to increase the de novo synthesis of the genes of antioxidant genes. Indeed, many antioxidant genes increase the expression levels in response to low temperature. Furthermore, the higher expression of many antioxidant enzymes are positively correlated to inducing higher tolerance levels against freezing. All the information summarized here can be applied for developing crop and horticultural plants to have more freezing tolerance for higher production with better quality. There have been extensive studies on the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the gene regulation, however, more researches will be required in near future to elucidate the most effective antioxidant enzymes to induce highest freezing tolerance in a crop plant in a transformation process or a breeding program.

Longevity of animals under reactive oxygen species stress and disease susceptibility due to global warming

The world is projected to experience an approximate doubling of atmospheric CO_2 concentration in the next decades. Rise in atmospheric CO_2 level as one of the most important reasons is expected to contribute to raise the mean global temperature 1.4 ℃-5.8 ℃ by that time. A survey from 128 countries speculates that global warming is primarily due to increase in atmospheric CO_2 level that is produced mainly by anthropogenic activities. Exposure of animals to high environmental temperatures is mostly accompanied by unwanted acceleration of certain biochemical pathways in their cells. One of such examples is augmentation in generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and subsequent increase in oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids by ROS. Increase in oxidation of biomolecules leads to a state called as oxidative stress(OS). Finally, the increase in OS condition induces abnormality in physiology of animals under elevated temperature. Exposure of animals to rise in habitat temperature is found to boost the metabolism of animals and a very strong and positive correlation exists between metabolism and levels of ROS and OS. Continuous induction of OS is negatively correlated with survivability and longevity and positively correlated with ageing in animals. Thus, it can be predicted that continuous exposure of animals to acute or gradual rise in habitat temperature due to global warming may induce OS, reduced survivability and longevity in animals in general and poikilotherms in particular. A positive correlation between metabolism and temperature in general and altered O_2 consumption at elevated temperature in particular could also increase the risk of experiencing OS in homeotherms. Effects of global warming on longevity of animals through increased risk of protein misfolding and disease susceptibility due to OS as the cause or effects or both also cannot be ignored. Therefore, understanding the physiological impacts of global warming in relation to longevity of animals will become very crucial challenge to biologists of the present millennium.

Determination of Heat Stress and Ultra Low Oxygen in Chestnut Storage under Control and Modified Atmospheres

The effects of heat stress (HS) and ultra low oxygen (ULO) in controlled (CA) or modified (MA) atmosphere on chestnut (Castanea sativa L. cv. Rodiana) fruit quality and storability were investigated. Chestnuts exposed to ULO (1% O2 for 1 h) or dipped in water bath (at 55?C for 15 min) and then stored to CA or MA conditions at 6?C for up to 90 days. The HS dipping and storage in CA or MA increased sprouting (up to 60%) as well as mould severe on chestnuts com-paring with the control. In MA conditions, HS and ULO increased respiration rate. Total starch content increased (up to 30%) in MA-HS and MA-ULO treatments comparing with the control the first 60 days of storage. The first 30 days of CA and MA storage, chestnut moisture content decreased. No major differences observed in total sugar, total fat and total phenolic content as well as in the incidence of hole with or without worm in chestnut fruit. Following sensory evaluation, 57% of panelist marked differences among treatments, while the greater preference (67%) observed in chestnut treated with HS and stored in MA. Additionally, MA-HS enhanced (up to 30%) the chestnut appearance while no difference observed in aroma, sweetness and texture among treatments and storage conditions. Thus, the impacts of HS on chestnuts maintain fruit quality, with benefits in CA storage, as increased panelists’ preference.

新型含Mn生物陶瓷粉体减轻软骨细胞的氧化应激损伤

背景:Mn可参与到多种生物体内氧化还原反应中,比如作为超氧化物歧化酶2中的金属辅助基团发挥辅助清除活性氧的作用,因此近些年开发含Mn的新型抗氧化应激材料成为研究的热点。目的:探讨含Mn生物陶瓷粉体通过降低活性氧途径对软骨细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用。方法:采用熔盐法制备含Mn生物陶瓷粉体。分离培养小鼠原代软骨细胞。在H_(2)O_(2)溶液中分别加入含0,0.15,0.30 mg/mL Mn生物陶瓷粉体,避光孵育后检测H_(2)O_(2)清除率。将第2-4代软骨细胞分别与含不同质量浓度(0,0.15,0.30 mg/mL)含Mn生物陶瓷粉体的完全培养基共培养,采用细胞活死染色检测细胞活性。将第2-4代软骨细胞(或软骨组织)分4组干预:空白对照组加入完全培养基培养,H_(2)O_(2)组加入用含H_(2)O_(2)的完全培养基培养,H_(2)O_(2)+低质量浓度Mn粉体组加入含H_(2)O_(2)+0.15 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体的完全培养基培养,H_(2)O_(2)+高质量浓度Mn粉体组加入含H_(2)O_(2)+0.30 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体的完全培养基,采用CCK-8法检测软骨细胞活力,2,7-二氯荧光素二乙酸酯探针检测软骨细胞活性氧生成,qRT-PCR检测软骨细胞相关因子表达,甲苯胺蓝染色检测软骨组织结构与功能。结果与结论:①两种剂量的含Mn生物陶瓷粉体均可以于体外显著清除H_(2)O_(2),并且具有质量浓度依赖性;细胞活死染色结果显示,0.15 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体具有软骨细胞安全性,0.30 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体存在软骨细胞毒性;②CCK-8检测结果显示,两种质量浓度的含Mn生物陶瓷粉体均可以显著减轻H_(2)O_(2)对软骨细胞活力的抑制作用,并可抑制H_(2)O_(2)诱导的软骨细胞活性氧生成,并且具有质量浓度依赖性;两种质量浓度的含Mn生物陶瓷粉体均可逆转H_(2)O_(2)诱导的软骨细胞血小板反应蛋白解整合素金属肽酶5 mRNA表达升高与蛋白聚糖mRNA表达降低;③甲苯胺蓝染色结果显示,两种质量浓度的含Mn生物陶瓷粉体均可保护氧化应激下软骨组织结构的完整,其中0.30 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体还可以减轻软骨组织的功能损伤;④结果表明,含Mn生物陶瓷粉体可以通过清除活性氧途径维持软骨细胞外基质稳态,从而对氧化应激下的软骨细胞发挥保护作用,但0.30 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体具有一定的软骨细胞毒性,因此更倾向使用0.15 mg/mL含Mn生物陶瓷粉体进行后续研究。

高压氧可消除高强度间歇冲击微周期训练中的运动性疲劳

背景:高压氧作为新兴的疲劳消除手段之一,在体育领域中得到越来越多的重视和应用。高压氧干预对高强度间歇冲击微周期训练疲劳消除的研究较少。目的:探究高压氧干预对高强度间歇冲击微周期训练运动性疲劳消除效果的影响,并从血液生化指标和代谢组学方面进行相应机制研究。方法:在首都体育学院招募20名男性大学生,随机分为对照组(n=10)和高压氧组(n=10),均进行高强度间歇冲击微周期训练,为期2周,共12次,具体训练方案为先以50%HR_(max)的强度热身10 min,再以90%-95%HR_(max)强度蹬车4 min,重复5组,组间休息2.5 min,最后再进行50%HR_(max)强度蹬车30 min。对照组受试者训练后自然恢复,高压氧组受试者训练后进行高压氧恢复,每次干预60 min,压力为131.722 kPa。在试验前、试验中期、试验后1 d和试验后3 d采集血液分析生化指标及代谢组学指标,并进行主观感觉疲劳量表评分,其中氧化应激指标与疲劳监控指标进行Pearson相关性分析。结果与结论:①运动性疲劳指标变化:与训练前相比,对照组训练后血尿酸、肌酸激酶、白细胞介素6和主观感觉疲劳量表评分均有不同程度的上调,而高压氧组在高压氧干预后血尿酸、肌酸激酶、白细胞介素6和主观感觉疲劳量表评分变化不大;组间相比,对照组试验后1 d血尿酸、肌酸激酶和白细胞介素6水平显著高于高压氧组;②氧化应激指标变化:与训练前相比,对照组训练后超氧化物歧化酶活性降低、丙二醛水平升高,而高压氧组在高压氧干预后超氧化物歧化酶活性升高、丙二醛水平降低;③超氧化物歧化酶与血尿酸、白细胞介素6和主观感觉疲劳量表评分呈负相关;丙二醛与白细胞介素6和主观感觉疲劳量表评分呈正相关;④代谢组学指标变化:显著变化的代谢通路是花生四烯酸代谢和氧化磷酸化代谢,富集通路上差异代谢物质有花生四烯酸、前列腺素D2、白三烯D4等。结果表明,高强度间歇冲击微周期训练导致机体发生氧化应激,促进了运动性疲劳的产生;高压氧可以一定程度改善氧化应激水平,以及引起花生四烯酸代谢和氧化磷酸化代谢,从而减少氧化损伤,调节炎症反应,促进组织修复和运动性疲劳消除。

Mutual interaction between oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of diseases specifically focusing on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Reactive oxygen species(ROS) are produced during normal physiologic processes with the consumption of oxygen. While ROS play signaling roles, when they are produced in excess beyond normal antioxidative capacity this can cause pathogenic damage to cells. The majority of such oxidation occurs in polyunsaturated fatty acids and sulfhydryl group in proteins, resulting in lipid peroxidation and protein misfolding, respectively. The accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) is enhanced under conditions of oxidative stress and results in ER stress, which, together, leads to the malfunction of cellular homeostasis. Multiple types of defensive machinery are activated in unfolded protein response under ER stress to resolve this unfavorable situation. ER stress triggers the malfunction of protein secretion and is associated with a variety of pathogenic conditions including defective insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and accelerated lipid droplet formation in hepatocytes. Herein we use nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) as an illustration of such pathological liver conditions that result from ER stress in association with oxidative stress. Protecting the ER by eliminating excessive ROS viathe administration of antioxidants or by enhancing lipidmetabolizing capacity via the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors represent promising therapeutics for NAFLD.

Uncoupling protein 2 in the glial response to stress:implications for neuroprotection

Reactive oxygen species（ROS） are free radicals thought to mediate the neurotoxic effects of several neurodegenerative disorders.In the central nervous system,ROS can also trigger a phenotypic switch in both astrocytes and microglia that further aggravates neurodegeneration,termed reactive gliosis.Negative regulators of ROS,such as mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2（UCP2） are neuroprotective factors that decrease neuron loss in models of stroke,epilepsy,and parkinsonism.However,it is unclear whether UCP2 acts purely to prevent ROS production,or also to prevent gliosis.In this review article,we discuss published evidence supporting the hypothesis that UCP2 is a neuroprotective factor both through its direct effects in decreasing mitochondrial ROS and through its effects in astrocytes and microglia.A major effect of UCP2 activation in glia is a change in the spectrum of secreted cytokines towards a more anti-inflammatory spectrum.There are multiple mechanisms that can control the level or activity of UCP2,including a variety of metabolites and micro RNAs.Understanding these mechanisms will be key to exploitingthe protective effects of UCP2 in therapies for multiple neurodegenerative conditions.

Differential Expression of Two Cytosolic Ascorbate Peroxidases and Two Superoxide Dismutase Genes in Response to Abiotic Stress in Rice

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) play central roles in the pathway for scavenging reactive oxygen species in plants, thereby contributing to the tolerance against abiotic stress. Here we report the responses of cytosolic SOD (cSOD; sodCc1 and sodCc2) and cytosolic APX (cAPX; OsAPX1 and OsAPX2) genes to oxidative and abiotic stress in rice. RNA blot analyses revealed that methyl viologen treatment caused a more prominent induction of cAPXs compared with cSODs, and hydrogen peroxide treatment induced the expression of cAPXs whereas cSODs were not affected. These results suggest that cAPXs play more important roles in defense against oxidative stress compared with cSODs. It is noted that cSODs and cAPXs showed coordinate response to abscisic acid treatment which induced both sodCc1 and OsAPX2. However, cSODs and cAPXs responded differentially to drought, salt and chilling stress, which indicates that cSOD and cAPX genes are expressed differentially in response to oxidative and abiotic stress in rice.

Role of hydrogen peroxide in stress-induced programmed cell death during somatic embryogenesis in Fraxinus mandshurica

We examined how reactive oxygen species, in the form of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), affect osmotic stress–induced programmed cell death during somatic embryogenesis from cotyledon explants of Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.). We found that substantial osmotic stress was essential for Manchurian ash somatic cells to obtain embryogenic competence. The explant cells displayed hallmarks of programmed cell death, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation to oligonucleotides during somatic embryogenesis. Increasing concentrations of plant growth regulators and sucrose in the medium increased osmotic stress thereby inducing H2O2 accumulation in the explant cells. We found that H2O2 concentration was significantly decreased in explant cells when the induction medium was modified, i.e., when reducing the concentration of sucrose, which reduces the osmotic pressure of the medium, or by withdrawing plant growth regulators at mid-culture. These treatments also decreased the proportion of explant cells undergoing programmed cell death. Accordingly, a decreased rate of somatic embryo induction was observed. These results show that PCD occurred during tissue browning and death of some explant cells during somatic embryogenesis in F. mandshurica. The ROS contributed to PCD in abiotic stress stimulated F. mandshurica cells.