Modulation of copper toxicity-induced oxidative damage by excess supply of iron in maize plants

In this study, we examined the modulation of Cu toxicity-induced oxidative stress by excess supply of iron in Zea mays L. plants. Plants receiving excess of Cu (100 microM) showed decreased water potential and simultaneously showed wilting in the leaves. Later, the young leaves exhibited chlorosis and necrotic scorching of lamina. Excess of Cu suppressed growth, decreased concentration of chloroplastic pigments and fresh and dry weight of plants. The activities of peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7; POD), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11; APX) and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1; SOD) were increased in plants supplied excess of Cu. However, activity of catalase (EC 1.11.1.6; CAT), was depressed in these plants. In gel activities of isoforms of POD, APX and SOD also revealed upregulation of these enzymes. Excess (500 microM)-Fe-supplemented Cu-stressed plants, however, looked better in their phenotypic appearance, had increased concentration of chloroplastic pigments, dry weight, and improved leaf tissue water status in comparison to the plants supplied excess of Cu. Moreover, activities of antioxidant enzymes including CAT were further enhanced and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and H(2)O(2) concentrations decreased in excess-Fe-supplemented Cu-stressed plants. In situ accumulation of H(2)O(2), contrary to that of O(2)(*-) radical, increased in both leaf and roots of excess-Cu-stressed plants, but Cu-excess plants supplied with excess-Fe showed reduced accumulation H(2)O(2) and little higher of O(2)(*-) in comparison to excess-Cu plants. It is, therefore, concluded that excess-Cu (100 microM) induces oxidative stress by increasing production of H(2)O(2) despite of increased antioxidant protection and that the excess-Cu-induced oxidative damage is minimized by excess supply of Fe.