Changes in antioxidant enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid and oxidative stress in compatible and incompatible host-tobamovirus interaction

Abstract

The effect of tobamovirus (TMV and ToMV) infection on changes in antioxidant enzymes, endogenous salicylic acid, endogenous hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation was studied in compatible (tomato and bell pepper) and incompatible hosts (Nicotiana glutinosa and Nicotiana tabacum cv. xanthi). A time course study of antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase and catalase was studied in both interactions. Along with these studies, a time course change of endogenous hydrogen peroxide in both compatible and incompatible hosts against tobamoviruses was carried out spectrophotometrically. Histochemical changes in hydrogen peroxide were studied by using Starch-potassium iodide (KI) method. The endogenous levels of salicylic acid were quantified at 24 hours post inoculation (hpi). The effect of tobamoviruses on the lipid peroxidation levels along with protein oxidation was also studied at 24 hpi. The results showed increased peroxidase, salicylic acid, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, hydrogen peroxide and decreased catalase in incompatible host-tobamovirus interaction in comparison to compatible hosts. In incompatible hosts, more numbers of cells showed hydrogen peroxide accumulation at 24 hpi. These results suggested the involvement of antioxidant enzymes, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide and oxidative stress in incompatible host defense against tobamoviruses. As a consequence of tobamovirus infection, an oxidative stress, indicated by the increase in lipid peroxidation was observed in incompatible interaction. Slight changes in enzymes, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide in incompatible hosts indicate that these changes have roles in susceptible hosts.