[Influence of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA metabolism and amino acid contents in roots of melon seedling under hypoxia stress].

Abstract

This paper investigated the influence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA metabolism and amino acid content under hypoxia stress by accurately controlling the level of dissolved oxygen in hydroponics, using the roots of melon 'Xiyu 1' seedlings as the test material. The results showed that compared with the control, the growth of roots was inhibited seriously under hypoxia stress. Meanwhile, the hypoxia-treated roots had significantly higher activities of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as the contents of GABA, pyruvic acid, alanine (Ala) and aspartic acid (Asp). But the contents of glutamic acid (Glu) and alpha-keto glutaric acid in roots under hypoxia stress was obviously lower than those of the control. Exogenous treatment with GABA alleviated the inhibition effect of hypoxia stress on root growth, which was accompanied by an increase in the contents of endogenous GABA, Glu, alpha-keto glutaric acid and Asp. Furthermore, under hypoxia stress, the activities of GAD, GDH, GOGAT, GS, ALT, AST as well as the contents of pyruvic acid and Ala significantly decreased in roots treated with GABA. However, adding GABA and viny-gamma-aminobutyric acid (VGB) reduced the alleviation effect of GABA on melon seedlings under hypoxia stress. The results suggested that absorption of GABA by roots could alleviate the injury of hypoxia stress to melon seedlings. This meant that GABA treatment allows the normal physiological metabolism under hypoxia by inhibiting the GAD activity through feedback and maintaining higher Glu content as well as the bal- ance of carbon and nitrogen.

• Authors: Chun-Yan Wang, Jing-Rui Li, Qing-Ping Xia, Xiao-Lei Wu, Hong-Bo Gao
• Journal: Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology (Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao) Vol. 25 Issue 7 Pg. 2011-8 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1001-9332 [Print] China
• PMID: 25345052 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amino Acids
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Carbon
• Pyruvic Acid
• Glutamate Synthase
• Glutamate Dehydrogenase
• Glutamate Decarboxylase
• Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase
• Nitrogen
• Oxygen

Topics

• Amino Acids (chemistry)
• Carbon
• Cucurbitaceae (chemistry)
• Glutamate Decarboxylase
• Glutamate Dehydrogenase
• Glutamate Synthase
• Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase
• Nitrogen
• Oxygen
• Plant Roots (chemistry)
• Pyruvic Acid
• Seedlings (chemistry)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (chemistry, pharmacology)