The promoter region of the Zinnia elegans basic peroxidase isoenzyme gene contains cis-elements responsive to nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide.

NO and H2O2 are important biological messengers in plants. They are formed during xylem differentiation in Zinnia elegans and apparently play important roles during the xylogenesis. To ascertain the responsiveness of the Z.

Post-translational modifications of the basic peroxidase isoenzyme from Zinnia elegans.

The major basic peroxidase (ZePrx) from Zinnia elegans suspension cell cultures was purified and cloned. The purification resolved ZePrxs in two isoforms (ZePrx33.44 and ZePrx34.

Structural motifs of syringyl peroxidases predate not only the gymnosperm-angiosperm divergence but also the radiation of tracheophytes.

* The most distinctive variation in the monomer composition of lignins in vascular land plants is that found between the two main groups of seed plants. Thus, while gymnosperm lignins are typically composed of guaiacyl (G) units, angiosperm lignins are largely composed of similar levels of G and syringyl (S) units. * However, and contrary to what might be expected, peroxidases isolated from basal (Cycadales and Ginkgoales) and differentially evolved (Coniferales and Gnetales) gymnosperms are also able to oxidize S moieties, and this ability is independent of the presence or absence of S-type units in their lignins.

Characterization of the last step of lignin biosynthesis in Zinnia elegans suspension cell cultures.

The last step of lignin biosynthesis in Zinnia elegans suspension cell cultures (SCCs) catalyzed by peroxidase (ZePrx) has been characterized. The k(3) values shown by ZePrx for the three monolignols revealed that sinapyl alcohol was the best substrate, and were proportional to their oxido/reduction potentials, signifying that these reactions are driven exclusively by redox thermodynamic forces. Feeding experiments demonstrate that cell wall lignification in SCCs is controlled by the rate of supply of H(2)O(2).

Cloning and molecular characterization of the basic peroxidase isoenzyme from Zinnia elegans, an enzyme involved in lignin biosynthesis.

The major basic peroxidase from Zinnia elegans (ZePrx) suspension cell cultures was purified and cloned, and its properties and organ expression were characterized. The ZePrx was composed of two isoforms with a M(r) (determined by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time of flight) of 34,700 (ZePrx34.70) and a M(r) of 33,440 (ZePrx33.

Nitric oxide production by the differentiating xylem of Zinnia elegans.

Nitric oxide (NO) is currently regarded as a signal molecule involved in plant cell differentiation and programmed cell death. Here, we investigated NO production in the differentiating xylem of Zinnia elegans by confocal laser scanning microscopy to answer the question of whether NO is produced during xylem differentiation. Results showed that NO production was mainly located in both phloem and xylem regardless of the cell differentiation status.