Expression of the catalase and superoxide dismutase genes in mature pollen in maize.

The expression of the Cat and Sod genes encoding the multiple catalases and superoxide dismutases in maize has been studied in maize pollen at anther dehiscence. Pollen from three catalase activity variant inbred lines was examined. Zymorgram analysis, immunoassays, and RNA blots show that, in the lines used, only the CAT-1 catalase isozyme is expressed in mature pollen; the CAT-2 and CAT-3 isozymes are not. The data presented further demonstrate that the Cat1 gene is transcribed and translated after tetrad formation. The relative protein levels of the various superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozymes appear to be similar in pollen and scutella, and correspond to the relatively low levels observed for the different Sod transcripts in these tissues. The presence of "double" transcripts for Sod3 and Sod4A is discussed.