Peroxidase de glutationa mitocondrial de arroz é crucial para o crescimento por favorecer a fotossíntese

Abstract

The physiological role of glutathione peroxidases (GPX) in plant mitochondria is little known. Their relations with the photosynthesis are unknown, even more in presence of salt stress. This enzyme have great importance in H2O2 and organic hydroperoxides scavenging, contributing in oxidative protection and redox homeostasis. In this study, silenced rice mutants in OsGPX1 and OsGPX3 genes, coding for the mitochondrial proteins, were used to better understand the physiological mechanisms of the role of this protein in growth and photosynthesis. Additionally, these processes were also studied in salt stress conditions with the plants silenced in OsGPX1. The results show, for the first time, that the lacking of a mitochondrial GPX is capable of restricting plant growth by impairment in photosynthesis. This response might be an indirect consequence of changes in gene and metabolic networks trigged by alterations in H2O2 (raised) and/or reduced glutathione (diminished). It is likely that the altered redox state in mitochondria by GPX effects can improve photosynthesis through cross-talk between this organelle and chloroplasts by yet unknown mechanisms. Furthermore, the OsGPX1 gene showed significant role in stomatal control, which is crucial to the water use efficiency under salt stress conditions. The mitochondrial GPX also seems to be involved with dissipation of excess light energy as heat (NPQ) in photosystem II apparatus and in photorespiratory pathway. In conclusion, the OsGPX1 gene, associated with it protein product and changes in gene and metabolic networks, are essential to rice growth by improvement of photosynthesis, especially at light use efficiency level involving photosystem II activity and CO2 quantum efficiency in normal and growth conditions. Additionally, GPX1 seems to be less important to salt stress tolerance.