[Change in activity of superoxide dismutase in callus culture of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth., grown in standard conditions and with temperature shock].

The rate of superoxide dismutase (SOD) accumulation in Rauwolfia serpentine Benth. cell culture under heat shock conditions (3 h, 45 degrees C) decreased insignificantly (by 4%), whereas low positive temperature (24 h, 7 degrees C) caused a drastic drop (by 48%). The observed decrease in the level of SOD activity resulted from a slowdown of the biosynthesis rate of the enzyme and decrease in its concentration in the cultivated cells. In addition, a compensatory decrease in degradation of the active protein (Kd) was observed at low positive temperatures and, consequently, an increase in its half-life (t1/2), compensating partially for a deficiency in de novo synthesized SOD molecules. The parameters studied restored after a 24-h adaptation of cells under standard temperature conditions.