Polyamines inhibit lipid peroxidation in senescing oat leaves

Abstract

Exogenous diaminopropane, spermidine, spermine and guazatine, an inhibitor of polyamine oxidase (EC 1.5.3.3) activity, were able to inhibit loss of chlorophyll and reduce the level of malondialdehyde in dark‐incubated Avena sativa L. cv. Victory leaves, as well as in leaves subjected to osmotica used for protoplast isolation. Both lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) activity and enzyme‐protein levels were reduced by incubation with spermine. The results provide support for the contention that the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by polyamines may be one of the mechanisms responsible for their anti‐senescence effects.