| Abstract Detail
Oxidative Stress Im, Yang Ju [1], Ji, Mikyoung [2], Lee, Alice [2], Grunden, Amy M. [2], Boss, Wendy [3]. Overexpression of Pyrococcus furiosus Superoxide Reductase in Arabidopsis enhances tolerance to heat, drought and pathogen attack. Plants, like other aerobic organisms, have reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) that reduce superoxide to prevent the production and buildup of toxic free radicals; however, SOD produces oxygen which can serve as an additional source of ROS. Pyrococcus furiosus superoxide reductase (SOR) is a thermostable archaeal enzyme that reduces superoxide without producing oxygen. Our hypothesis was that expressing the P. furiosus SOR oxygen detoxification enzyme in plants would provide a more effective ROS reducing system. SOR should not only reduce the superoxide but also keep the oxygen levels low thus reducing the potential to generate more ROS and enhancing survival under stress conditions. We overexpressed P. furiosus SOR in Arabidopsis and produced a functional protein. The transgenic plants showed an enhanced tolerance to many different stimuli including heat, drought stress and pathogen attack. The SOR plants also provide us with a new system for studying the impact of ROS on plant growth and development. Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - North Carolina State University, Plant Biology, Box 7649, Raleigh, Nc, 27695-7649, USA 2 - North Carolina State University, Microbiology 3 - North Carolina State University, Plant Biology
Keywords: reactive oxygen species.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract Session: P Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007 Time: 8:00 AM Number: P06021 Abstract ID:1678 |