Methane alleviates copper-induced seed germination inhibition and oxidative stress in Medicago sativa.

Recent results discovered the protective roles of methane (CH4) against oxidative stress in animals. However, the possible physiological roles of CH4 in plants are still unknown. By using physiological, histochemical and molecular approaches, the beneficial role of CH4 in germinating alfalfa seeds upon copper (Cu) stress was evaluated. Endogenous production of CH4 was significantly increased in Cu-stressed alfalfa seeds, which was mimicked by 0.39 mM CH4. The pretreatment with CH4 significantly alleviated the inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth induced by Cu stress. Cu accumulation was obviously blocked as well. Meanwhile, α/β amylase activities and sugar contents were increased, all of which were consistent with the alleviation of seed germination inhibition triggered by CH4. The Cu-triggered oxidative stress was also mitigated, which was confirmed by the decrease of lipid peroxidation and reduction of Cu-induced loss of plasma membrane integrity in CH4-pretreated alfalfa seedlings. The results of antioxidant enzymes, including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) total or isozymatic activities, and corresponding transcripts (APX1/2, Cu/Zn SOD and Mn-SOD), indicated that CH4 reestablished cellular redox homeostasis. Further, Cu-induced proline accumulation was partly impaired by CH4, which was supported by the alternation of proline metabolism. Together, these results indicated that CH4 performs an advantageous effect on the alleviation of seed germination inhibition caused by Cu stress, and reestablishment of redox homeostasis mainly via increasing antioxidant defence.