γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) alleviated oxidative damage and programmed cell death in fresh-cut pumpkins

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry 2022-06, Vol.180, p.9-16
• Main Authors: Liang, Jingyi, Guo, Fan, Cao, Shifeng, Zhao, Ke, Zhao, KeXin, Wang, Hongfei, Shao, Xingfeng, Wei, Yingying, Zhang, Chundan, Zheng, Yonghua, Xu, Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fresh-cut pumpkins; GABA; Programmed cell death; ROS content
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.03.029

The regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on plant anti-oxygenation and programmed cell death (PCD) in fresh-cut pumpkins was investigated. Exogenous GABA positively promoted GABA accumulation and alleviated oxidant damage in pumpkins tissue. Pumpkins treated with GABA showed lower electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA content, while higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as compared to the non-treated tissues. Our results also found that GABA treatment retarded DNA degradation and cytochrome c release and delayed the apoptosis of pumpkin cells. On the other hand, the inhibitor of GABA generation, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MP) treatment not only accelerated oxidant damage, but also induced cell death involving chromatin condensation, DNA ladder and cytochrome c releasing. Taken together, our present research indicated that exogenous GABA could alleviate the wound-induced oxidative stress and PCD occurrence in fresh-cut pumpkins. [Display omitted] •Exogenous GABA alleviated oxidant damage in fresh-cut pumpkins.•3-Mercaptopropionic acid treatment accelerated oxidant damage and induced PCD.•GABA involved the PCD event and delayed PCD process in fresh-cut pumpkins.