Mitochondrial complex II-derived superoxide is the primary source of mercury toxicity in barley root tip

Enhanced superoxide generation and significant inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity followed by a strong reduction of root growth were detected in barley seedlings exposed to a 5μM Hg concentration for 30min, which increased further in an Hg dose-dependent manner. While at a 25μM Hg concentration no cell death was detectable, a 50μM Hg treatment triggered cell death in the root meristematic zone, which was markedly intensified after the treatment of roots with 100μM Hg and was detectable in the whole root tips. Generation of superoxide and H₂O₂ was a very rapid response of root tips occurring even after 5min of exposure to Hg. Application of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor or the inhibition of electron flow in mitochondria by the inhibition of complex I did not influence the Hg-induced H₂O₂ production. Treatment of roots with thenoyltrifluoroacetone, a non-competitive inhibitor of SDH, markedly reduced root growth and induced both superoxide and H₂O₂ production in a dose dependent manner. Similar to results obtained in intact roots, Hg strongly inhibited SDH activity in the crude mitochondrial fraction and caused a considerable increase of superoxide production, which was markedly reduced by the competitive inhibitors of SDH. These results indicate that the mitochondrial complex II-derived superoxide is the primary source of Hg toxicity in the barley root tip.