Lipid peroxidation in higher plants : the role of glutathione reductase.

To study the role of glutathione reductase in lipid peroxidation, bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris) cv Fori were treated with the herbicide acifluorfen-sodium (sodium 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid). Acifluorfen is a potent inducer of lipid peroxidation. In beans, decrease of acid-soluble SH-compounds and lipid peroxidation, measured as ethane evolution, were the toxic events after treatment of leaves with acifluorfen. As a primary response to peroxidation, increased production of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and glutathione, was found. This was followed by elevation of glutathione reductase activity. Enhanced activity of the enzyme prevented both further decline of acid-soluble SH-compounds and lipid peroxidation. Increased production of antioxidants and elevated activity of antioxidative enzymes, like glutathione reductase, seem to be a general strategy to limit toxic peroxidation in plants.