Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Needles of Norwegian Spruce Trees (Picea abies L.)

Abstract

The activity of superoxide dismutase was investigated in needles of spruce trees. To obtain maximum activity, needles were homogenized in the presence of Triton X-100 and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Superoxide dismutase activity was measured in dialyzed extracts with a modified epinephrine assay (HP Misra, IFridovich (1972] J Biol Chem 247: 3170-3175) at pH 10.2. The extracts contained 70 to 120 units of superoxide dismutase per milligram protein. One unit of superoxide dismutase was completely inhibited in the presence of 20 micromolar NaCN. On nafive polyacrylamide gels three electromorphs were visualized after staining for activity. All three species were sensitive to CN-and H202 and were therefore assumed to be Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutases. Superoxide dismutase activity was dependent on the age of the needles and declined by approximately 25% within 3 to 4 years.

Sulphate and antioxidants in needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) from three SO2‐polluted field sites in eastern Germany

“…Total needle extracts for enzymatic analyses were prepared by two methods from frozen needles powdered in liquid nitrogen, (a) Detergent extraction : 0-4 g of the needle powder was extracted in 05 % TRITON X-100, 100 mM KH.,PO,/K,HPO,, pH 7-8, 4"r, insoluble polyx'inylpyrrolidone as described previously (Polle, Krings & Rennenberg, 1989). (b) Acetone extraction : 0 5 g of needle powder was stirred for 20 min in 20 ml of pre-cooled acetone ( -20°C).…”

Factors modulating superoxide dismutase activity in needles of spruce trees (Picea abies L.)

“…To determine SOD activity, we adapted extraction and assaying procedures (after Misra and Fridovich, 1972) to extracts from spruce needles (Polle et al, 1989). Fig.…”

Purification of Two Superoxide Dismutase Isozymes and Their Subcellular Localization in Needles and Roots of Norway Spruce (Picea abies L.) Trees

“…Of the three SOD activities present in spruce needle extracts (22), only the two major activities were detected on minigels, whereas the minor SOD activity was generally below the detection limit (Fig. 2, lane 5).…”

“…Determination of Enzyme Activities SOD activity was measured with a modified epinephrine assay as described previously (20,22). One unit of SOD is defined as the amount of enzyme that inhibits the epinephrine assay by 50%.…”

“…In extracts of Norway spruce needles, one minor and two major CuZn SOD isozymes have been identified by native PAGE (22). In the present article, we describe the purification, characterization, and localization of the two major CuZn SOD isozymes in needles and roots of Norway spruce.…”