PEROXIDASE-MEDIATED CONJUGATION OF GLUTATHIONE TO UNSATURATED PHENYLPROPANOIDS - EVIDENCE AGAINST GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE INVOLVEMENT

A number of plant species are thought to possess a glutathione S-trans ferase enzyme (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) that will conjugate glutathione (GSH) to trans-cinnamic acid (CA) and para-coumaric acid (4-CA). However, w e present evidence that this activity is mediated by peroxidase enzyme s and not GSTs. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the GSH-conjugat ing enzyme purified from etiolated corn shoots exhibited a strong degr ee of homology to cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase enzymes (APX; EC 1.11 .1.11) from a number of plant species. The GSH-conjugating and APX act ivities of corn could not be separated during chromatography on hydrop hobic-interaction, anion-exchange, and gel filtration columns. Spectra l analysis of the enzyme revealed that the protein had a Soret band at 405 nm. When the enzyme was reduced with dithionite, the peak was shi fted to 423 nm with an additional peak at 554 nm. The spectrum of the dithionite-reduced enzyme in the presence of 0.1 mM KCN exhibited peak s at 430, 534 and 563 nm. These spectra are consistent with the presen ce of a heme moiety. The GSH-conjugating and APX activities of the enz yme were both inhibited by KCN, NaN3, p-chloromercuribenzoate (pCMB), and iodoacetate. The APX specific activity of the enzyme was 1.5-fold greater than the GSH-conjugating specific activity with 4-CA. In addit ion to the corn enzyme, a pea recombinant APX (rAPX) and horseradish p eroxidase (HRP; EC 1.11.1.7) were also able to conjugate GSH to CA and 4-CA. The peroxidase enzymes may generate thiyl free radicals of GSH that react with the alkyl double bond of CA and 4-CA resulting in the formation of a GSH conjugate.