Comparative studies of H2O2 detoxifying enzymes in green and greening barley seedlings under cadmium stress

Cadmium(Cd) stress induced alterations in the activities of several representatives of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system such as guiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were comparatively studied in green and greening barley seedlings that represent two different stages of plant development. Although roots were the main site of Cd accumulation, 1.5-3% of Cd was translocated into leaves and it induced oxidative damage which was indicated by the reduced chlorophyll and increased malondialdehyde content of the leaves. In roots of both types of seedlings exposed to various Cd concentrations, the APX activity was enhanced without any increase in the activity of POD. In leaves, however, elevated activities of both POD and APX could be observed. In roots of green seedlings at high concentration of Cd, the APX activity was reduced on the fourth day of culture but no inhibition was found in the POD activity. Leaf CAT which mainly represented the peroxisomal enzyme activity did not display any changes under Cd stress. Our results show that at both developmental stages barley seedlings exhibit a well-defined activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system, which operates differentially in roots and shoots subjected to Cd stress. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.