Molecular cloning and characterization of tomato cDNAs encoding glutathione peroxidase-like proteins

In Lycopersicon esculentum, two cDNAs encoding glutathione peroxidase (GPX)-like proteins were isolated, sequenced and characterized as putative phospholipid hydroperoxide:glutathione peroxidases. After mechanical stimulation (rubbing) of the plant, each GPX tomato gene was found to behave differently in terms of inducibility and tissue distribution. The accumulation of GPX transcripts suggests that reactive oxygen species are involved in the plant response to a mechanical stress.