Abscisic Acid-Induced H(2)O(2) Accumulation Enhances Antioxidant Capacity in Pumpkin-Grafted Cucumber Leaves under Ca(NO(3))(2) Stress

With the aim to clarifying the role of the ABA/H(2)O(2) signaling cascade in the regulating the antioxidant capacity of grafted cucumber plants in response to Ca(NO(3))(2) stress, we investigated the relationship between ABA-mediated H(2)O(2) production and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the leaves of pumpkin-grafted cucumber seedlings. The results showed that both ABA and H(2)O(2) were detected in pumpkin-grafted cucumber seedlings in response to Ca(NO(3))(2) treatment within 0.5 h in the leaves and peaked at 3 and 6 h after Ca(NO(3))(2) treatment, respectively, compared to the levels under control conditions. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD) in pumpkin-grafted cucumber leaves gradually increased over time and peaked at 12 h of Ca(NO(3))(2) stress. Furthermore, in the leaves of pumpkin-grafted cucumber seedlings, the H(2)O(2) generation, the antioxidant enzyme activities and the expression of SOD, POD and cAPX were strongly blocked by an inhibitor of ABA under Ca(NO(3))(2) stress, but this effect was eliminated by the addition of exogenous ABA. Moreover, the activities and gene expressions of these antioxidant enzymes in pumpkin-grafted leaves were almost inhibited under Ca(NO(3))(2) stress by pretreatment with ROS scavengers. These results suggest that the pumpkin grafting-induced ABA accumulation mediated H(2)O(2) generation, resulting in the induction of antioxidant defense systems in leaves exposed to Ca(NO(3))(2) stress in the ABA/H(2)O(2) signaling pathway.