Overexpression of the endogenous peroxidase-like gene spi 2 in transgenic Norway spruce plants results in increased total peroxidase activity and reduced growth

• Published in: Plant cell reports Vol. 20; no. 7; pp. 596 - 603
• Main Authors: ELFSTRAND, M, FOSSDAL, C. G, SITBON, F, OLSSON, O, LÖNNEBORG, A, VON ARNOLD, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.10.2001; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Economic plant physiology; Embryos; Enzymes; Evergreen trees; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lignin; Metabolism; Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; Peroxidase; Phloroglucinol; Picea abies; Pine trees; Plant cells; Plant physiology and development; spi 2 gene; Transgenic plants; Trees; Norway; Enzyme; Growth; Isozyme; Gene overexpression; Structure function relationship; Stress; Lignification; Sensitivity resistance; Endogenous; Peroxidases; Enzymatic activity; Softwood forest tree; Gymnospermae; Development; Coniferales; Spermatophyta; Peroxidase; Transgenic plant; Oxidoreductases; Picea abies
• ISSN: 0721-7714; 1432-203X
• DOI: 10.1007/s002990100360

Peroxidases constitute a large family of proteins found in all higher plants. Owing to the complexity of the peroxidase isoenzyme family it has been difficult to assess the precise function of individual peroxidase enzymes. In this work we have studied the effects of an endogenous peroxidase-like gene from Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst], spi 2, on the development and growth of Norway spruce somatic embryo plants. Embryogenic cells of Norway spruce transformed with spi 2 under control of the maize ubi-1 promoter showed up to 40 times higher total peroxidase activity than the control cells; regenerated plants overexpressing spi 2 showed an increased total peroxidase activity. Based on these results and the overall sequence similarity with cationic peroxidases we conclude that spi 2 encodes a peroxidase. Overexpression of spi 2 resulted in increased sensitivity to stress, leading to a reduction in epicotyl formation and in height growth compared with control plants. The plants overexpressing spi 2 also showed a deeper phloroglucinol staining but similar levels of Klason lignin.