Dean, J. V. and Devarenne, T. P. 1997. Peroxidase-mediated conjugation of glutathione 10 unsaturated phenylpropanoids. Evidence against glutathione S-transferase involvement. -Physiol. Planl. 99: 271-278.A number of plant species are thought to possess a glutathione S-transferase enzyme (GST: EC 2.5.1.18) that will conjugate glutathione (GSH) to (ran.s-cinnamic acid (C.A) and para-coumaric acid (4-CA). However, we present evidence thai this activityis mediated by peroxidase enzymes and not GSTs. The N-lerminal amino acid sequence of the GSH-conjugating enzyme purified from etiolated com shoots exhihited a strong degree of homology to cylosolic ascorhate peroxidase enzymes (APX: EC 1.11.1.11) from a numher of planl species. The GSH-conjugating and APX activities of com could not he separated during chromatography on hydrophobic-interaction. anion-exchange, and gel filtration columns. Spectral analysis of the enzyme revealed that the protein had a Soret band at 405 nm. When the enzyme was reduced with dithionite, the peak was shifted to 423 nm with an additional peak at 554 nm. The spectmm of the dithionite-reduced enzyme in the presence of 0.1 mM KCN exhibited peaks at 430, 534 and 563 nm. These spectra are consistent with the presence of a heme moiety. The GSH-conjugating and APX activities of the enzyme were both inhibited hy KCN, NaN,, /)-chloromercuribenzoaie (pCMB), and iodoacetate. The APX specific activity of the enz\ me was 1.5-fold greater than the GSH-conjugating specific activity with 4-CA. In addition to the com enzyme, a pea recombinanl APX (rAPX) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP: EC 1.11.1.7) were also able to conjugate GSH to CA and 4-CA. The peroxidase enzymes may generate thiyi free radicals of GSH Ihat react with the alkyl douhle bond of CA and 4-CA resulting in the formation of a GSH conjugate.