Two ascorbate peroxidases from broccoli: identification, expression and characterization of their recombinant proteins

Two distinct clones having high nucleotide identity to the sequences encoding ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were isolated from broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica). Deduced amino acid sequences of both cDNAs, BO-APX 1 (accession number AB078599) and BO-APX 2 (accession number AB078600), shared identity of 92.8% and there was more than 80% identity between BO-APXs and other plant cytosolic APXs at the protein level. Gene expression and protein levels of BO-APX 1 and BO-APX 2 were investigated in various parts of broccoli after harvest. Transcript levels of BO-APX 2 gradually increased in florets, while those of BO-APX 1 decreased in florets after harvest. BO-APX I and BO-APX 2 were expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) and purified to homogeneity by glutathione sepharose 4B column chromatography. Both proteins of BO-APX 1 and BO-APX 2 appeared as a single major band on SDS-PAGE corresponding to a mass of 25 kDa and reacted with polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant BO-APX 1. Both enzymes showed high specificities for ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide. The km values of recombinant BO-APX 1 and BO-APX 2 for ascorbate were 395 and 526 muM and those for hydrogen peroxide were 15 and 7 muM, respectively. The role of APX was discussed in relation to ascorbate breakdown in broccoli florets during senescence. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.