Dehydroascorbate Reductase Gene Research Articles

Overexpression of dehydroascorbate reductase gene IbDHAR1 improves the tolerance to abiotic stress in sweet potato.

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), an indispensable enzyme in the production of ascorbic acid (AsA) in plants, is vital for plant tolerance to various stresses. However, there is limited research on the stress tolerance functions of DHAR genes in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam). In this study, the full-length IbDHAR1 gene was cloned from the leaves of sweet potato cultivar Xu 18. The IbDHAR1 protein is speculated to be located in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. As revealed by qRT-PCR, the relative expression level of IbDHAR1 in the proximal storage roots was much greater than in the other tissues, and could be upregulated by high-temperature, salinity, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) stress. The results of pot experiments indicated that under high salinity and drought stress conditions, transgenic Arabidopsis and sweet potato plants exhibited decreases in H2O2 and MDA levels. Conversely, the levels of antioxidant enzymes APX, SOD, POD, and ACT, and the content of DHAR increased. Additionally, the ratio of AsA/DHA was greater in transgenic lines than in the wild type. The results showed that overexpression of IbDHAR1 intensified the ascorbic acid-glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH) and promoted the activity of the related antioxidant enzyme systems to improve plant stress tolerance and productivity.

Soil drought during the development of cotton ovule destroyed the antioxidant balance of cotton pistil to hinder the ovule formation

AbstractReproductive failure in cotton caused by drought has been reported to be closely associated with alterations in pistil fertility; however, the mechanism of the effect of drought on pistil fertility in cotton is less studied. We hypothesized that drought would inhibit the ovule formation to alter pistil potential fertility. To address this hypothesis, we conducted a water deficit induction experiment with a cotton cultivar, Dexiamian 1. Results showed that drought damaged the cytological structure of the developing ovules. This resulted in a lower ovule number, finally leading to lower cottonseed number and boll weight. And the decreased ovule number was closely related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in pistil during ovule development. Further analysis of antioxidant metabolism found that in the enzymatic antioxidant system, drought decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), resulting in the accumulation of superoxide anion () and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Regarding the non‐enzymatic antioxidant system, the elevated glutathione reductase gene (GhGR) expression under drought promoted the glutathione (GSH) accumulation; however, the decreased dehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhDHAR2) expression under drought inhibited the conversion of GSH to ascorbic acid (AsA). Although the increased monodehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhMDHAR) expression under drought promoted AsA accumulation, drought‐induced reduced ascorbate peroxidase gene (GhAPX) expression inhibited the reduction of H2O2 by AsA, which ultimately led to higher AsA content and H2O2 content. We conclude that drought impedes the ovule formation by disturbing pistil's antioxidant metabolic homeostasis to destruct the cytological structure of the developing ovules.

Drought Stress and High Temperature Affect the Antioxidant Metabolism of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Anthers and Reduce Pollen Fertility

Both drought and high temperature can influence the antioxidant metabolism of crop reproductive organs in different ways, affecting the fertility of reproductive organs and yield formation. However, the combined effects of drought stress and high temperature on the crop reproductive physiology have not yet been widely considered. In order to broaden our understanding of this mechanism of influence, a pond experiment was conducted using a cotton variety Yuzaomian 9110 divided into four treatment groups: control (CK), drought stress (DS), high temperature (HT), and drought stress coupled with high temperature (DS+HT). Results showed a significant negative correlation between pollen viability and superoxide anion (O2−) content, as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Compared with CK, DS did not alter O2− content in anthers, but HT treatment resulted in higher anther O2−. Compared with single-stress groups, DS+HT further promoted the formation of O2− in anthers, leading to more malondialdehyde in anthers. Moreover, a higher H2O2 content in anthers was found in DS and HT than in CK. DS+HT did not show altered H2O2 content relative to HT treatment, although its H2O2 was higher than in DS. Further analyses of the antioxidant enzyme system showed that DS had no significant effect on superoxide dismutase gene (GhCu/ZnSOD) expression, but HT and DS+HT significantly downregulated its expression. The expression of GhCu/ZnSOD was lower under DS+HT than HT, which might be why O2− content was not altered under DS treatment compared with CK and was higher in DS+HT than HT. DS and HT significantly downregulated the expression of the peroxidase gene (GhPOD) and catalase gene (GhCAT), which should be the main reason for the larger accumulation of H2O2 under drought stress and high-temperature conditions. Compared with single-stress groups, DS+HT had lower expression of GhCAT, resulting in a larger H2O2 content. Regarding the ascorbic acid–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle, DS and HT significantly downregulated the expression of monodehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhMDHAR) to hinder the production of AsA and upregulated the expression of ascorbate oxidase gene (GhAAO) to promote the oxidation of AsA, which was theoretically detrimental to AsA accumulation. However, HT downregulated the expression of the ascorbate peroxidase gene (GhAPX), hindering the reduction of H2O2 by AsA, which was the reason for AsA and H2O2 accumulation. Moreover, DS also significantly upregulated the expression of the dehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhDHAR2) to enhance the reduction of dehydroascorbate to form AsA, leading to a higher content of AsA under DS than HT. The combined stress significantly downregulated the expression of GhAAO to inhibit the oxidation of AsA but significantly upregulated the expression of GhMDHAR and GhDHAR2, promoting the AsA production, and downregulated the expression of GhAPX, hindering the reduction of H2O2 by AsA. All these resulted in increased AsA content under combined stresses. In addition, HT significantly downregulated the glutathione reductase gene (GhGR) expression, hindering the reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), which led to the reduction of GSH. However, DS and DS+HT significantly downregulated the glutathione peroxidase gene (GhGPX) expression, resulting in the accumulation of GSH. Overall, compared with single-stress treatments, the effects of DS+HT on cotton pollen fertility and peroxide accumulation were more significant. The effects of DS+HT on the antioxidant enzyme system were mainly caused by high temperature, while the mechanism of abnormal accumulation of AsA and GSH caused by DS+HT was different from those of single-stress groups.

Effect of graphene oxide-glyphosate nanocomposite on wheat and rape seedlings: Growth, photosynthesis performance, and oxidative stress response

Recently, nanomaterials have been increasingly applied to improve the bioactivity of pesticides for plant protection. However, the incorporation of nanomaterials into nano-herbicides is still in the early stage of development. In this study, the effect of GO–GLY nanocomposites was tested on wheat and edible rape seedlings in terms of growth parameters, photosynthises, the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. The results showed that compared with GO or GLY alone, GO–GLY nanocomposite more significantly inhibited the growth of wheat and rape seedlings, decreased the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, primary maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, actual quantum yield and photosynthetic electron transport rate, while significantly increased the intercellular CO 2 concentration. These changes may be related to increases in oxidative stress, as indicated by the higher accumulation of O 2 .− and H 2 O 2 under GO–GLY treatment. Furthermore, GO–GLY treatment increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) in both plant species compared with GO or GLY alone. In addition, gene expression analysis revealed that GO–GLY treatment upregulated the transcription of CAT s, APXs , MDHAR, and DHAR genes in wheat seedlings, and elevated that of CATs , APXs , MDHAR , DHAR, and GR genes in rape seedlings compared with GO or GLY alone. Ultimately, in response to GO–GLY stress, a preliminary regulatory mechanism was proposed for the self-protective mechanism of wheat and rape seedlings, which lays a theoretical foundation for the wide application of nano-herbicides. • GO can be used as a synergist for heibicide. • The synergistic effect of GLY and GO reduces the use concentration of herbicides. • Antioxidant enzyme related genes play an important role in the detoxification of GO–GLY nanocomposite.

Over-Expression of Dehydroascorbate Reductase Improves Salt Tolerance, Environmental Adaptability and Productivity in Oryza sativa.

Abiotic stress induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in plants, and high ROS levels can cause partial or severe oxidative damage to cellular components that regulate the redox status. Here, we developed salt-tolerant transgenic rice plants that overexpressed the dehydroascorbate reductase gene (OsDHAR1) under the control of a stress-inducible sweet potato promoter (SWPA2). OsDHAR1-expressing transgenic plants exhibited improved environmental adaptability compared to wild-type plants, owing to enhanced ascorbate levels, redox homeostasis, photosynthetic ability, and membrane stability through cross-activation of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes under paddy-field conditions, which enhanced various agronomic traits, including root development, panicle number, spikelet number per panicle, and total grain yield. dhar2-knockdown plants were susceptible to salt stress, and owing to poor seed maturation, exhibited reduced biomass (root growth) and grain yield under paddy field conditions. Microarray revealed that transgenic plants highly expressed genes associated with cell growth, plant growth, leaf senescence, root development, ROS and heavy metal detoxification systems, lipid metabolism, isoflavone and ascorbate recycling, and photosynthesis. We identified the genetic source of functional genomics-based molecular breeding in crop plants and provided new insights into the physiological processes underlying environmental adaptability, which will enable improvement of stress tolerance and crop species productivity in response to climate change.

A MYB-INDUCED MECHANISM FOR ENHANCED ASCORBATE IN RED-FLESHED APPLES

The results presented in “The anthocyanin biosynthetic regulator MdMYB1 positively regulates ascorbic acid biosynthesis in apple” (An et al., this issue) provide evidence for a new mechanism for the elevation of ascorbate concentration in apple. Using a red-fleshed apple breeding population, the authors show how the anthocyanin-regulating MYB transcription factor, MdMYB1, also increases ascorbate concentrations by directly activating transcription of the dehydroascorbate reductase gene <i>MdDHAR</i>. This gene recycles oxidized ascorbate back to ascorbate, leading to elevated concentrations of vitamin C. These red-fleshed apples have enhanced concentrations of both anthocyanins and ascorbate, both of which are appealing traits for the development of healthier apples.

THE ANTHOCYANIN BIOSYNTHETIC REGULATOR MDMYB1 POSITIVELY REGULATES ASCORBIC ACID BIOSYNTHESIS IN APPLE

<List> <ListItem><ItemContent> • The contents of anthocyanin and AsA in red-flesh apples are higher than that in non-red-flesh apples. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> • The anthocyanin biosynthetic regulator MdMYB1 directly activates the expression of dehydroascorbate reductase gene MdDHAR, thus promoting the activity of the DHAR enzyme and the accumulation of AsA. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> • MdMYB1-MdDHAR module may play a key role in AsA-DHA homeostasis. </ItemContent></ListItem></List> Ascorbic acid (AsA, vitamin C) is involved in the regulation of many aspects of plant growth and development. It is an essential micronutrient for humans and can prevent scurvy, maintain the health of gums and blood vessels, reduce the level of plasma cholesterol and enhance the immune systen. Apple cultivars Orin and Guanghui were crossed to obtain a group of hybrid offspring with and without red flesh in the course of assessing apple germplasm resources. Unexpectedly, the red-flesh apples had higher AsA contents than other apples. Further studies showed that the anthocyanin biosynthetic regulator MdMYB1 directly activates the expression of dehydroascorbate reductase gene MdDHAR, thus promoting the activity of the DHAR enzyme and the accumulation of AsA. This finding reveals the mechanism leading to high AsA levels in red-flesh apples and suggests a new idea to cultivate red-flesh apples with high AsA contents and produce AsA efficiently and without pollution.

Enzymatic activity and functional analysis under multiple abiotic stress conditions of a dehydroascorbate reductase gene derived from Liriodendron Chinense

Dehydrogenase ascorbic reductase (DHAR) is a critical enzyme involved in resistance to environmental stress. However, few DHAR genes have been identified in woody plants. Liriodendron chinense is a relict tree species of Magnoliaceae. Due to its outstanding ornamental features and fine wood properties, L. chinense is becoming increasingly applied in both timber production and landscaping. A broad ability to adapt is the initial premise of extensive planting of trees; as a result, discovery and functional validation of resistance genes are extremely important. In this study, a putative DHAR gene was isolated from L. chinense. The full-length coding sequence of the LcDHAR gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme was then isolated and purified to investigate its activity and obtain its Michaelis constant. The results showed that the LcDHAR gene encodes a 216-aa protein that contains a complete DHAR domain. Subcellular localization assay revealed LcDHAR a cytoplasmic protein. We further calculated KmGSH and KmDHA values of 1.04 mM and 0.81 mM, respectively, for LcDHAR. Moreover, overexpression of the LcDHAR gene in Arabidopsis thaliana led to a higher content of AsA as well as enhanced salt and drought stress resistance. In addition, the transgenic plants produced leaves at an earlier time and the root length was significantly longer than that of col-0 wild-type line under gradient salt and drought stresses. Taken together, the results of this study reveal that LcDHAR might play a protective role in response to salt and drought stresses and provide a partial framework for LcDHAR gene regulation of DHA and AsA contents in Liriodendron.

Molecular Properties and Functional Divergence of the Dehydroascorbate Reductase Gene Family in Lower and Higher Plants.

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), which reduces oxidized ascorbate, is important for maintaining an appropriate ascorbate redox state in plant cells. To date, genome-wide molecular characterization of DHARs has only been conducted in bryophytes (Physcomitrella patens) and eudicots (e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana). In this study, to gain a general understanding of the molecular properties and functional divergence of the DHARs in land plants, we further conducted a comprehensive analysis of DHARs from the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii, gymnosperm Picea abies and monocot Zea mays. DHARs were present as a small gene family in all of the land plants we examined, with gene numbers ranging from two to four. All the plants contained cytosolic and chloroplastic DHARs, indicating dehydroascorbate (DHA) can be directly reduced in the cytoplasm and chloroplast by DHARs in all the plants. A novel vacuolar DHAR was found in Z. mays, indicating DHA may also be reduced in the vacuole by DHARs in Z. mays. The DHARs within each species showed extensive functional divergence in their gene structures, subcellular localizations, and enzymatic characteristics. This study provides new insights into the molecular characteristics and functional divergence of DHARs in land plants.

Clones of FeSOD, MDHAR, DHAR Genes from White Clover and Gene Expression Analysis of ROS-Scavenging Enzymes during Abiotic Stress and Hormone Treatments.

Increased transcriptional levels of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes play important protective roles in coping with excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants exposed to various abiotic stresses. To fully elucidate different evolutions and functions of ROS-scavenging enzymatic genes, we isolated iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) from white clover for the first time and subsequently tested dynamic expression profiles of these genes together with previously identified other antioxidant enzyme genes including copper zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in response to cold, drought, salinity, cadmium stress and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) or spermidine (Spd) treatment. The cloned fragments of FeSOD, DHAR and MDHAR genes were 630, 471 and 669 bp nucleotide sequences encoding 210, 157 and 223 amino acids, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both amino acid and nucleotide sequences of these three genes are highly conservative. In addition, the analysis of genes expression showed the transcription of GR, POD, MDHAR, DHAR and Cu/ZnSOD were rapidly activated with relatively high abundance during cold stress. Differently, CAT, APX, FeSOD, Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD exhibited more abundant transcripts compared to others under drought stress. Under salt stress, CAT was induced preferentially (3–12 h) compared to GR which was induced later (12–72 h). Cadmium stress mainly up-regulated Cu/ZnSOD, DHAR and MDHAR. Interestingly, most of genes expression induced by ABA or Spd happened prior to various abiotic stresses. The particular expression patterns and different response time of these genes indicated that white clover differentially activates genes encoding antioxidant enzymes to mitigate the damage of ROS during various environmental stresses.

Functional divergence and catalytic properties of dehydroascorbate reductase family proteins from Populus tomentosa

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) is a key enzyme in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle that maintains reduced pools of ascorbic acid and serves as an important antioxidant. In this study, to investigate functional divergence of plant DHAR family and catalytic characteristics of the glutathione binding site (G-site) residues of DHAR proteins, we cloned three DHAR genes (PtoDHAR1/2/3) from Populus tomentosa and predicted the G-site residues. PtoDHAR1 protein was localized in chloroplast, while PtoDHAR2/3 proteins showed cytosolic localizations. Three DHAR proteins showed different enzymatic activities, apparent kinetic characteristics, optimum T m and pH profiles, indicating their functional divergence. Cys20, Lys8, Pro61, Asp72 and Ser73 of PtoDHAR2 were predicted as G-site residues based on their N-terminal amino acid sequence identity and the available crystal structures of glutathione S-transferases. The biochemical functions of these residues are examined in this study through site-directed mutagenesis. The aforementioned five residues are critical components of active sites that contribute to the enzyme's catalytic activity. Cys20, Pro61 and Asp72 of PtoDHAR2 are also responsible for maintaining proper protein structure. This study provides new insights into the functional divergence of the plant DHAR family and biochemical properties of the G-site residues in plant DHAR proteins.

Environmental stress response of a dehydroascorbate reductase gene from tomato, and its protective role in Escherichia coli

We investigated the role of a dehydroascorbate reductase (SlHDAR1) gene from Solanum lycopersicum leaves in response to abiotic stresses, and the effect of the gene was assessed in transgenic Escherichia coli against oxidative stress. Coding sequence of SlDHAR1 was subcloned into pET-28a(+) expression vector, and transformed it into E. coli BL21 (DE3). The SlDHAR1 gene was induced in tomato leaves in response to cold and wounding, not to absicic acid (ABA). Effective induction of SlDHAR1 protein was observed in E. coli by Isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Increased mRNA level was noted in the E. coli cells transformed with SlDHAR1. The growth of the transgenic E. coli cells expressing SlDHAR1 was evidenced to be faster than control strain in the both solid and liquid growth media supplemented with H2O2. Taken together, the SlDHAR1 gene could play a role in cold and wound stress responses of tomato plants and the gene may be protective to E. coli to oxidative stress.

The higher expression levels of dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase in salicylic acid-deficient plants may contribute to their alleviated symptom infected with RNA viruses

Salicylic acid (SA) is a critical signal for activation of both local and systemic resistance responses. However, SA-deficient plants adapt to RNA virus infections better, which show a less-severe symptom and less reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The higher levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and reduced ascorbic acid (AsA) in SA-deficient plants may contribute to their alleviated symptoms, which are consistent with their higher expression levels of dehydroascorbate reductase gene (DHAR) and glutathione reductase gene (GR). High-dose AsA or GSH treatment could alleviate the symptom and inhibit virus replication after 20 days, but ROS eliminators could not imitate the effect of AsA or GSH. The data show a new link between SA and AsA/GSH-mediated redox homeostasis.

Expression Pattern of Two Dehydroascorbate Reductase Genes from Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Response to Stress

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) plays an important role in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in plants by controlling the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species. Expression profiles of two DHAR genes (SlDHAR1 and SlDHAR2) in tomato leaves were analyzed in response to abiotic and oxidative stresses as well as their expression in various organs were investigated under normal growth conditions. Multiple copies of SlDHAR homologues exist in the tomato genome. SlDHAR1 expression was dominant in stems and flowers but moderate in leaves; however, SlDHAR2 induction was strong in stems, leaves, and flowers, and young leaves showed the highest expression of SlDHAR2. Both genes were transcribed after treatment with salt, dehydration, and methyl viologen. Prolonged stress reduced SlDHAR genes expression. The level of hydrogen peroxide increased, and DHAR activity was altered by stress treatment. Results indicate that SlDHAR genes could play a role in multiple stress responses.

Cytosolic Dehydroascorbate Reductase is Important for Ozone Tolerance in Arabidopsisthaliana

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) is a key component of the ascorbate recycling system. Three functional DHAR genes are encoded in the Arabidopsis genome. Ozone exposure increased the expression of the cytosolic DHAR (cytDHAR) gene alone. We characterized an Arabidopsis mutant with a deficient cytDHAR. The mutant completely lacked cytDHAR activity and was highly ozone sensitive. The amounts of total ascorbate and glutathione were similar in both lines, but the amount of apoplastic ascorbate in the mutant was 61.5% lower. These results indicate that the apoplastic ascorbate, which is generated through the reduction of DHA by cytDHAR, is important for ozone tolerance.

Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing the rice dehydroascorbate reductase gene are resistant to salt stress

Vitamin C (l-ascorbate) is important for antioxidative and metabolic functions in both plants and humans. Ascorbate itself is oxidized to dehydroascorbate during the process of antioxidation, and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) re-reduces the oxidized ascorbate. Therefore, this enzyme is assumed to be critical for ascorbate recycling. Here we show that the expression of rice DHAR in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced resistance to salt stress. Salt tolerance was remarkably improved despite slight increases in DHAR activity and total ascorbate. This study provides direct evidence for the importance of DHAR in salt tolerance.

Enhanced stress-tolerance of transgenic tobacco plants expressing a human dehydroascorbate reductase gene

To analyze the physiological role of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) catalyzing the reduction of DHA to ascorbate in environmental stress adaptation, T1 transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) plants expressing a human DHAR gene in chloroplasts were biochemically characterized and tested for responses to various stresses. Fully expanded leaves of transgenic plants had about 2.29 times higher DHAR activity (units/g fresh wt) than non-transgenic (NT) plants. Interestingly, transgenic plants also showed a 1.43 times higher glutathione reductase activity than NT plants. As a result, the ratio of AsA/DHA was changed from 0.21 to 0.48, even though total ascorbate content was not significantly changed. When tobacco leaf discs were subjected to methyl viologen (MV) at 5 mumol/L and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 200 mmol/L, transgenic plants showed about a 40% and 25% reduction in membrane damage relative to NT plants, respectively. Furthermore, transgenic seedlings showed enhanced tolerance to low temperature (15 degrees C) and NaCl (100 mmol/L) compared to NT plants. These results suggest that a human derived DHAR properly works for the protection against oxidative stress in plants.

항산화효소 유전자를 이용한 산업용 형질전환식물체 개발

각종 환경스트레스에 의해 생체 내에서 과량으로 생성되는 독성의 활성산소종 (ROS)은 산화스트레스를 유발시켜 식물의 질병, 노화 및 세포사멸을 촉진시킨다. 연구팀은 21세기 당면한 지구규모의 환경, 식량 및 보건문제 해결에 기여할 수 있는 기반기술 (plateform technology)를 개발하기 위하여 식물세포의 항산화기구 규명. 산화스트레스 유도성 항산화효소 유전자 개발. 스트레스 내성식물 개발에 관한 연구를 수행하고 있다. 여기에서는 항산화효소 유전자를 이용한 산업용식물체 개발에 관한 연구팀의 최근 연구결과를 중심으로 소개하였다. SOD와 APX 유전자를 엽록체에 동시에 발현시킨 담배 식물체는 MV, 건조 등 여러 스트레스에 대한 내성을 나타내어, 복합 스트레스내성 농작물개발에 활용이 기대된다 인체 DHAR 유전자를 엽록체에 도입시킨 담배식물체는 정상적으로 DHAR 유전자를 발현시켰으며, MV 등 여러 스트레스에 대한 내성을 나타내었다. 피부 노화방지 등에 관여하여 ROS를 제거하는 SOD를 과실에 과발현시킨 형질전환오이를 성공적으로 개발하여. SOD 오이는 기능성화장품의 용도로 제품개발이 기대된다. 또한 고구마에서 산화스트레스에 특이적으로 발현하는 POD (SWPA2.) promoter를 개발하였다. SWPA2 promoter는 스트레스내성 및 의료용 단백질 등 고부가가치 생리활성물질을 생산할 수 있는 산업용 형질전환 식물체 및 배양세포주 개발에 이용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. Oxidative stress derived from reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the major damaging factors in plants exposed to environmental stress. In order to develop the platform technology to solve the global food and environmental problems in the 21st century, we focus on the understanding of the antioxidative mechanism in plant cells, the development of oxidative stress-inducible antioxidant genes, and the development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to stress. In this report, we describe our recent results on industrial transgenic plants by the gene manipulation of antioxidant enzymes. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in chloroplasts were developed and were evaluated their protection effects against stresses, suggesting that simultaneous overexpression of both SOD and APX in chloroplasts has synergistic effects to overcome the oxidative stress under unfavorable environments. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing a human dehydroascorbate reductase gene in chloroplasts were showed the protection against the oxidative stress in plants. Transgenic cucumber plants expressing high level of SOD in fruits were successfully generated to use the functional cosmetic purpose as a plant bioreactor. In addition, we developed a strong oxidative stress-inducible peroxidase promoter, SWPA2 from sweetpotato (lpomoea batatas). We anticipate that SWPA2 promoter will be biotechnologically useful for the development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stress and particularly transgenic cell lines engineered to produce key pharmaceutical proteins.