Novel hydrogen peroxide metabolism in suspension cells of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

J Biol Chem. 1998 May 15;273(20):12606-11. doi: 10.1074/jbc.273.20.12606.

Abstract

We identified a rapid and novel system to effectively metabolize a large amount of H2O2 in the suspension cells of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. In response to an elicitor, the cells immediately initiate the hydrolysis of baicalein 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide by beta-glucuronidase, and the released baicalein is then quickly oxidized to 6,7-dehydrobaicalein by peroxidases. Hydrogen peroxide is effectively consumed during the peroxidase reaction. The beta-glucuronidase inhibitor, saccharic acid 1,4-lactone, significantly reduced the H2O2-metabolizing ability of the Scutellaria cells, indicating that beta-glucuronidase, which does not catalyze the H2O2 degradation, plays an important role in the H2O2 metabolism. As H2O2-metabolizing enzymes, we purified two peroxidases using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by sequential chromatography on CM-cellulose and hydroxylapatite. Both peroxidases show high H2O2-metabolizing activity using baicalein, whereas other endogenous flavones are not substrates of the peroxidase reaction. Therefore, baicalein predominantly contributed to H2O2 metabolism. Because beta-glucuronidase, cell wall peroxidases, and baicalein pre-exist in Scutellaria cells, their constitutive presence enables the cells to rapidly induce the H2O2-metabolizing system.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Wall / enzymology
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / metabolism
  • Glucuronidase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism*
  • Hydrolysis
  • Kinetics
  • Peroxidases / isolation & purification*
  • Peroxidases / metabolism
  • Plant Cells
  • Plants / enzymology
  • Plants / metabolism*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Peroxidases
  • Glucuronidase