Effect of pretreatment with hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulfide on heat tolerance in relation to antioxidant system in maize (Zea mays) seedlings

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a signal molecule that is involved in plant growth, development and the acquisition of stress tolerance including heat tolerance, but the mechanism of H2S-induced heat tolerance is not completely clear. In present study, the effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor, treatment on heat tolerance of maize seedlings in relation to antioxidant system was investigated. The results showed that NaHS treatment improved survival percentage of maize seedlings under heat stress in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that H2S treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings. To further study mechanism of NaHS-induced heat tolerance, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, and glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents in maize seedlings were determined. The results showed that NaHS treatment increased the activities of CAT, GPX, SOD and GR, and GSH and AsA contents as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants [AsA/(AsA+DHA) and GSH/(GSH +GSSG)] in maize seedlings under normal culture conditions compared with the control. Under heat stress, antioxidant enzymes activities, antioxidants contents and the ratio of the reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants in control and treated seedlings all decreased, but NaHS-treated seedlings maintained higher antioxidant enzymes activities and antioxidants levels as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants. All of above-mentioned results suggested that NaHS treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings, and the acquisition of this heat tolerance may be relation to enhanced antioxidant system activity.

Hydrogen sulfide alleviates chlorobenzene toxicity in soybean seedlings

“…This finding was consistent with previous research in peas that showed H 2 S increased soluble protein content, as well as the activity of APX, POD and SOD, but decreased CAT activity in root tissues (LI et al, 2010). It was also similar to results, which showed that higher CAT and SOD activity relieved heat and salt stress (LI et al, 2014;LAI et al, 2014). Although the role of antioxidant enzymes in the stress response versus the reaction to H 2 S was not the same, antioxidant enzymes acted in the cases to maintain stability in levels of oxygen free radicals, keeping their concentration within a low enough range to reduce cellular damage.…”

“…It is therefore the third discovered gaseous signaling molecule, following the discoveries of Nitric oxide (NO) and Carbon monoxide (CO). In plants, H 2 S is mainly produced via the L-/D-cysteine desulfhydrase enzymes (LCD/ DCD) and it has been reported to be involved in stress responses to drought, heat, heavy metal and salt during seed germination and seedling growth (ZHANG et al, 2010a;JIN et al, 2011;LAI et al, 2014;LI et al, 2014). Applications of H 2 S could also significantly improve root morphology, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity under Pb stress (ALI et al, 2014).…”

Signal crosstalk between nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide may be involved in hydrogen peroxide-induced thermotolerance in maize seedlings

“…4c, 4d). The acquisition of heat tolerance might be associated with the accu mulation of osmolytes such as proline, trehalose, and the enhancement of activities of the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione reductase [6,7,27]. All of above mentioned indicated that H 2 S, as downstream signal molecule of NO, involved in acquisition of stress tolerance including heat tolerance.…”

Molecular mechanisms governing plant responses to high temperatures

“…An exogenously applied H 2 S donor, NaHS, was shown to increase the thermotolerance of maize (Li et al ). H 2 S increases the activity of the ROS‐scavenging enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase (Li et al ). H 2 S is thought to regulate plant stress responses via NO and ROS signaling (Hancock and Whiteman ).…”