PROLINE ACCUMULATES IN PLANTS EXPOSED TO UV-RADIATION AND PROTECTS THEM AGAINST UV INDUCED PEROXIDATION

Proline accumulated in the shoots of seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa), mustard (Brassica juncea) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) exposed to UV radiations. The level of proline in the seedlings increased significantly with increase in UV exposure time. The production of malondialdehyde (an indice of lipid peroxidation) was also higher in the shoots of seedlings exposed to UV radiation, as compared to controls, suggesting that UV radiations promote lipid peroxidation. The extent of UV radiation promoted enhancement in the levels of proline as well as that of malondialdehyde was higher in the seedlings of rice than those of mung bean or mustard. This lead us to believe that UV radiation induced proline accumulation protects plants against UV radiation promoted peroxidative processes. UV radiations also promoted peroxidation in linolenic acid micelles. The presence of proline along with linolenic acid micelles during UV exposure caused a considerable reduction in the production of malondialdehyde. This study, for the first time shows that plants exposed to UV radiations accumulate proline and proline can protect plant cells against UV radiation induced peroxidative processes. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.