Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Free radical scavenging potential of L-proline: evidence from in vitro assays

  • Published:
Amino Acids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary.

An assessment of the potential of proline to scavenge free radicals was made in a couple of in vitro assay systems, namely graft co-polymerization and autooxidation of pyrogallol. Both these assays are essentially dependent upon free radical mechanisms. Graft co-polymerization involved a ceric (Ce4+) ion- or γ-radiation-induced grafting of methyl acrylate (MA) onto a cellulose backbone. The degree of grafting, measured gravimetrically, was taken as a measure of free radical generation. The γ-radiation-dependent grafting was far greater than that due to Ce4+ ions. Inclusion of proline in the assay, irrespective of the initiator used, led to suppression of grafting in a concentration-dependent manner indicating the ability of proline to scavenge free radicals. The γ-radiation-dependent grafting was also suppressed by hydroquinone and glutathione but not by ascorbate, glycine and spermine. In contrast to graft co-polymerization, proline did not inhibit the autooxidation of pyrogallol, a reaction involving superoxide radical generation. A subset of data constitutes an evidence for the ability of proline to scavenge free radicals in vitro. It is implied by extension that free proline, known to accumulate in plant tissues during abiotic stresses, would contribute to scavenging of surplus free radicals produced under a variety of abiotic stresses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

MA:

methyl acrylate

CAN:

ceric ammonium nitrate

References

  • Alia P Mohanty J Matysik (2001) ArticleTitleEffect of proline on the production of singlet oxygen Amino Acids 21 195–200 Occurrence Handle11665815 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s007260170026 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXotFKjsLo%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D Aspinall LG Paleg (1981) Proline accumulation: physiological aspects LG Paleg D Aspinall (Eds) The physiology and biochemistry of drought resistance in plants Academic Press San Diego 206–240

    Google Scholar 

  • R Bassi SS Sharma (1993a) ArticleTitleChanges in proline content accompanying the uptake of zinc and copper by Lemna minor Ann Bot 72 151–154 Occurrence Handle10.1006/anbo.1993.1093 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXhtVGrtrc%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R Bassi SS Sharma (1993b) ArticleTitleProline accumulation in wheat seedlings exposed to zinc and copper Phytochemistry 33 1339–1342 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0031-9422(93)85086-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXmtF2gur4%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K-J Dietz M Baier U Krämer (1999) Free radicals and reactive oxygen species as mediators of heavy metal toxicity in plants MNV Prasad J Hagemeyer (Eds) Heavy metal stress in plants: from molecules to ecosystems Springer Berlin 73–97

    Google Scholar 

  • ME Farago WA Mullen (1979) ArticleTitlePlants which accumulate metals. IV. A possible copper-proline complex from the roots of Armeria maritima Inorgan Chem Acta 40 235–269

    Google Scholar 

  • CH Foyer G Noctor (2005) ArticleTitleOxidant and antioxidant signalling in plants: a re-evaluation of the concept of oxidative stress in a physiological context Plant Cell Environ 28 1056–1071 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01327.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXpslSgs70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PD Hare WA Cress (1997) ArticleTitleMetabolic implications of stress-induced proline accumulation in plants Plant Growth Reg 21 79–102 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1005703923347 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjs1amtLY%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PD Hare WA Cress J Van Staden (1998) ArticleTitleDissecting the role of osmolyte accumulation during stress Plant Cell Environ 21 535–553 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-3040.1998.00309.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXltl2hu7s%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C-CA Hu AJ Delauney DPS Verma (1992) ArticleTitleA bifunctional enzyme (Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase) catalyzes the first two steps in proline biosynthesis in plants Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 89 9354–9358 Occurrence Handle1384052 Occurrence Handle10.1073/pnas.89.19.9354 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXlsFKgsLc%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PB Kavikishor Z Hong GH Miao CA Hu DPS Verma (1995) ArticleTitleOverexpression of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase increases proline production and confers osmotolerance in transgenic plants Plant Physiol 108 1387–1394

    Google Scholar 

  • S Marklund G Marklund (1974) ArticleTitleInvolvement of the superoxide anion radical in the autooxidation of pyrogallol and a convenient assay for superoxide dismutase Eur J Biochem 47 469–474 Occurrence Handle4215654 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1432-1033.1974.tb03714.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXhtlGm

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SK Mehta JP Gaur (1999) ArticleTitleHeavy metal-induced proline accumulation and its role in ameliorating metal toxicity in Chlorella vulgaris New Phytol 143 253–259 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00447.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmtV2mu7w%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BN Misra IK Mehta MPS Rathore S Lakhanpal (1993) ArticleTitleEffect of L(-) threonine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, and 5-hydroxytryptamine on the ceric-ion-initiated grafting of methyl acrylate onto cellulose J Appl Poly Sci 49 1979–1984 Occurrence Handle10.1002/app.1993.070491114 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXmt1yht7o%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R Munns (2005) ArticleTitleGenes and salt tolerance: bringing them together New Phytol 167 645–663 Occurrence Handle16101905 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01487.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtVGisbfP

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BP Naidu LG Paleg D Aspinall AC Jennings GP Jones (1991) ArticleTitleAmino acid and glycine-betaine accumulation in cold stressed seedlings Phytochemistry 30 407–409 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0031-9422(91)83693-F Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXhtFyls70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D Rhodes A Nadolska-Orczyk PJ Rich (2002) Salinity, osmolytes and compatible solutes A Lauchli U Luttge (Eds) Salinity–environment–plants–molecules Kluwer Dordrecht 181–204

    Google Scholar 

  • S Rustgi A Joshi H Moss P Reisz (1977) ArticleTitleESR of spin-trapped radicals in aqueous solutions of amino acids: Reactions of the hydroxyl radical Int J Radiat Stud Phy Chem Med 31 415–440 Occurrence Handle10.1080/09553007714550521 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2sXltlKgt7o%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H Schat SS Sharma R Vooijs (1997) ArticleTitleHeavy metal-induced accumulation of free proline in a metal-tolerant and a nontolerant ecotype of Silene vulgaris Physiol Plant 101 477–482 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1399-3054.1997.tb01026.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXnvFelt7g%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SS Sharma K-J Dietz (2006) ArticleTitleThe significance of amino acids and amino acid-derived molecules in plant responses and adaptation to heavy metal stress J Exp Bot 57 711–726 Occurrence Handle16473893 Occurrence Handle10.1093/jxb/erj073 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XitVOqtrk%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SS Sharma H Schat R Vooijs (1998) ArticleTitleIn vitro alleviation of heavy metal-induced enzyme inhibition by proline Phytochemistry 49 1531–1535 Occurrence Handle11711061 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00282-9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXotFCjurg%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S Siripornadulsil S Traina DPS Verma RT Sayre (2002) ArticleTitleMolecular mechanisms of proline-mediated tolerance to toxic heavy metals in transgenic microalgae Plant Cell 14 2837–2847 Occurrence Handle12417705 Occurrence Handle10.1105/tpc.004853 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XovF2qurk%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N Smirnoff (1993) ArticleTitleThe role of active oxygen in the response of plants to water deficit and dessication New Phytol 125 27–58 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1469-8137.1993.tb03863.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXitFams70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N Smirnoff QJ Cumbes (1989) ArticleTitleHydroxyl radical scavenging activity of compatible solutes Phytochem 28 1057–1060 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0031-9422(89)80182-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXktlGgu7Y%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India

    S. Kaul & S. S. Sharma

  2. Department of Chemistry, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India

    I. K. Mehta

Authors
  1. S. Kaul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. S. Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. K. Mehta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Authors’ address: Shanti S. Sharma, Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171 005, India

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaul, S., Sharma, S. & Mehta, I. Free radical scavenging potential of L-proline: evidence from in vitro assays. Amino Acids 34, 315–320 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0407-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0407-x

Search

Navigation