biostudies-literature00580Unknown8(1)Hong SHAscorbate peroxidase (APX) is a class I haem-containing peroxidase, which catalyses the conversion of H2O2 to H2O and O2 using ascorbate as the specific electron donor. APX plays a central role in the elimination of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protects plants from the oxidative damage that can occur as a result of biotic and abiotic stresses. At present, the only known function of APX is as a peroxidase. However, in this study, we demonstrate that Oryza sativa APX2 also operates as a molecular chaperone in rice. The different functions of OsAPX2 correlate strongly with its structural conformation. The high-molecular-weight (HMW) complexes had chaperone activity, whereas the low-molecular-weight (LMW) forms displayed predominantly APX activity. The APX activity was effectively inhibited by sodium azide, which is an inhibitor of haem-containing enzymes, but this did not affect the protein's activity as a chaperone. Additionally, the OsAPX2 conformational changes could be regulated by salt and heat stresses and these stimulated OsAPX2 dissociation and association, respectively. Our results provide new insight into the roles of APXs.Scientific reports9171https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6003922biostudies-literatureFunctional switching of ascorbate peroxidase 2 of rice (OsAPX2) between peroxidase and molecular chaperone.PMC6003922Lee SBai HWCho JYChung BYChung MSBae HJKim JHLee SSCho CHong SHTripathi BN58falseFunctional switching of ascorbate peroxidase 2 of rice (OsAPX2) between peroxidase and molecular chaperone.Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) is a class I haem-containing peroxidase, which catalyses the conversion of H2O2 to H2O and O2 using ascorbate as the specific electron donor. APX plays a central role in the elimination of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protects plants from the oxidative damage that can occur as a result of biotic and abiotic stresses. At present, the only known function of APX is as a peroxidase. However, in this study, we demonstrate that Oryza sativa APX2 also operates as a molecular chaperone in rice. The different functions of OsAPX2 correlate strongly with its structural conformation. The high-molecular-weight (HMW) complexes had chaperone activity, whereas the low-molecular-weight (LMW) forms displayed predominantly APX activity. The APX activity was effectively inhibited by sodium azide, which is an inhibitor of haem-containing enzymes, but this did not affect the protein's activity as a chaperone. Additionally, the OsAPX2 conformational changes could be regulated by salt and heat stresses and these stimulated OsAPX2 dissociation and association, respectively. Our results provide new insight into the roles of APXs.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Jun2022-02-09T08:38:12.961Z2019-03-26T23:43:34ZS-EPMC60039222990783210.1038/s41598-018-27459-1