Regulation of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene expression in cereals by copper and manganese excess

Abstract

Within many different cytotoxic activities of heavy metals in plant cells, one of the most important is connected with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Mechanism of plant cell defense against reactive oxygen species and free radicals has a comprehensive character. The aim of presented paper is characterization of changes in mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene transcript level that occurred in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings during copper and manganese treatment. Our results show down-regulation of MnSOD expression in most cases after the oxidative burst evoked by copper excess. Manganese treatment, on the other hand, caused differential reaction of tested material indicating the substantial impact of cultivar genetic background in molecular response to the same stress-inducing conditions.

Keywords

• heavy metal stress
• mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)
• Triticum aestivum L.,
• Hordeum vulgare L.