Induction of Maize Glutathione S-Transferase by Herbicide Safener and their Effect on Enzyme Activity against Chlorsulfuron

Abstract

The acetolactate synthase(ALS) activity, glutathione S-transferase(GST) activity and glutathione(GSH) content in maize was investigated in response to treatments with safener (S)-3-dichloroacetyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-ethyl-1,3-oxazolidine. When induced by the chiral compound, the GSH content in root and shoot of maize increased 91.10% and 71.66%, respectively, the recovery rate of ALS activity reached 77%, and the GST activity increased 103.77%. The activity of maize GST was also assayed towards chlorsulfuron in vitro; the results showed that the induction of GST activity against chlorsulfuron of 14.54% was obtained. The enhancement of GST activity was found to be concomitant with changes in kinetic constants, which was related directly to the enzyme affinity for the CDNB substrate.