Copper affects the enzymes of the ascorbate‐glutathione cycle and its related metabolites in the roots of Phaseolus vulgaris

The involvement of the ascorbate‐glutathione cycle in the defence against Cu‐induced oxidative stress was studied in the roots of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Limburgse vroege. All the enzymes of this cycle [ascorbate peroxidase (APOD), EC 1.11.1.11; monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), EC 1.6.5.4; dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), EC 1.8.5.1; glutathione reductase (GR), EC 1.6.4.2] were increased, and the total ascorbate and glutathione pools rose after a 15 μM root Cu treatment. In the first hours after the start of the experiment, the accumulation of dehydroascorbate (DHA), formed as a result of a Cu‐mediated direct oxidation of ascorbate (AA), was limited by a non‐enzymatic reduction using glutathione (GSH) as the reductant. At 24 h, the enzyme capacities of both DHAR and GR were increased to maintain the redox status of the AA and GSH pools. After 72 h of Cu application, the DHAR capacity was inhibited and MDHAR was responsible for maintaining the AA pool in its reduced form. Although the GR capacity was enhanced after 72 h in the treated plants, the GSSG/GSH ratio was increased. This could be due to direct participation of GSH in the detoxification of Cu through reduction and complexation.