Superoxide Dismutase as an Anaerobic Polypeptide

The perennating organ, the rhizome, was chosen for examination of response to anoxia in the species Iris pseudacorus L., Iris germanica L. var Quechei, and Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmberg. These monocots are known to differ in their tolerance of anoxia. Intact rhizomes were subjected to periods of prolonged anoxia of up to 28 days and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined in a 48 hour postanoxic recovery phase. Tests were performed to ensure the accuracy of the measured enzyme activities. In the most anoxia tolerant species, I. pseudacorus, SOD activity rose continuously during the period of imposed anoxia, and levels were maintained in the postanoxic recovery phases: 28 days brought about a 13-fold increase to 1576 U SOD per milligram protein. Small increases were found in the less anoxia tolerant I. germanica during anoxic/postanoxic phases, while a drop in activity was recorded in the least anoxia tolerant G. maxima. However, initial levels in G. maxima were more than twice as high as in the other two species. Experiments applying cycloheximide to anoxic rhizome slices of I. pseudacorus inhibited the increase in SOD activity. This indicates that SOD is, paradoxically, induced under anoxia and we suggest that in this species SOD is one of the enzymes identified as anaerobic polypeptides. The significance of the induction of an ;oxygen-protecting' enzyme during complete oxygen deprivation is discussed with regard to a possible critical role during recovery from anoxic stress.