A major sweet potato leaf-type catalase was detected and identified from fullyexpandedmature leaves using in-gel activity staining assay with native- andSDS-PAGEs. The putative catalase activity band was inhibited by a catalaseinhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. The major leaf-type catalase activity wasoptimal over 8, and was significantly repressed by £]-mercaptoethanol. However,its activity was much less affected by temperature within the range of 5 to 450C.Temporal and spatial expression showed that it was specifically detected inleaves, but not in roots and stems. Its activity increased from the immature L2leaves, and reached the maximal at the fully-expanded mature L3 leaves, thenslightly decreased in partial yellowing senescent L4 leaves, and was almost notdetected in completely yellowing L5 leaves similar to folding unopenedimmature L1 leaves. The catalase level showed approximately inversecorrelation with the H2O2 amounts in leaves of different developmental stages.Dark and ethephon, an ethylene-releasing compound, also temporarily enhancedthe catalase activities from 6 h to 24 h, however, the enhanced activitydecreased from 24 h to 48 h in detached leaves after treatment. The catalaselevel also showed approximately negative correlation with the H2O2 amounts intreated leaves. The major leaf-type catalase activity was repressed by EGTA,and the repression can be reversed by exogenous CaCl2. The major leaf-typecatalase activity was also repressed by calmodulin inhibitor chlorpromazine,and the repression can be reversed by exogenous purified SPCAM calmodulinfusion protein. Chlorpromazine-treated leaves also elevated H2O2 amount.Based on these data we conclude that a major leaf-type catalase with maximalactivity in L3 leaf was identified in sweet potato. Its activity was temporarilyenhanced by dark and ethephon, and was modulated by external calcium ion(Ca2+) and calmodulin. A possible physiological role and function in associationwith cellular H2O2 homeostasis in cope with developmental and environmentalcues in sweet potato leaves is suggested.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by an association of factors that reinforce each other mutually; such as central obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemias. This scenario is associated to reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen production, aggravated by obesity status, triggering imbalance between oxidation and reduction reactions (redox), resulting in oxidative stress and metabolic disorders. Among the antioxidants, it is highlighted the catalase role, responsible to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dismutation into oxygen and water. This compound is a substrate in lipolysis, energy control and inflammation. Thus, it is believed that the modulation of the H2O2 / catalase / redox balance-axis in MetS/Obesity, might produce an important therapeutic effect antiobesity and metabolic-liver changes. The aim was to evaluate effect antiobesity and the metabolic-liver changes induced by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATZ), a reputed catalase inhibitor on the 2O2 / catalase / redox balance-axis. For this, it was used at different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg.kg-1) in C57BL6 MetS mice-diet induced for 12 weeks. The ATZ-treated mice showed increased lipolysis (p<0.001) and decreased (p<0.001) levels of: diameter of adipocytes, body weight; distribution of epididymal fat, adiposity index; expression of plasma leptin ; plasma and liver total cholesterol (p<0.01; ATZ500, p<0.001), triglycerides (,p<0.001) and non-esterified free fatty acids (p<0.001); basal glycemia, during the glucose tolerance test (p<0.001), insulin resistance test (p<0.001) and pyruvate test (p<0.001); the index to indirect evaluation of insulin resistance and plasma insulin (p<0.01). Decreased (p<0,05) of liver-gene expression to: insulin receptor (p<0.05); Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and glucokinase (GCK) and increased gene expression to: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PcK2) (p<0.01); the fatty acid translocase protein (CD36 / FAT) (p<0.001) and lipid binding protein / adipocyte fatty acids (aP2) (p<0.001). Besides, it ocurred decreased in catalase activity and the levels of reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) (p<0.05). The ATZ showed to be a potent lipolytic inducer, able to promote an important antiobesity effect, capable to: reduce body weight, regulate the lipid balance between plasma and liver, improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity, as well as to modulate the redox imbalance in animal MetS induced by high fat diet. / A síndrome metabólica (SMet) é caracterizada pela associação de fatores potencialmente prejudiciais que se reforçam mutualmente, como obesidade central, hipertensão, diabetes mellitus 2 e dislipidemias. Este cenário é acompanhado pela produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio, agravado pela obesidade, que podem implicar desequilíbrio entre as reações de oxidação / redução (redox), culminando no estresse oxidativo e alterações metabólicas. Dentre os antioxidantes, destaca-se a catalase, responsável pela dismutação do peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) em água e oxigênio. Este composto é um substrato em vias como as relacionadas à lipólise, controle energético e inflamação. Assim, postula-se que a modulação do eixo H2O2/catalase/equilíbrio redox na SMet / obesidade, represente um importante efeito terapêutico antiobesidade com importantes modificações sistêmico-hepáticas relacionadas à lipólise. Diante disso, objetivou-se avaliar as ações antiobesidade e lipolíticas sistêmico-hepáticas, induzidas pelo 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATZ), um reputado inibidor da catalase, sobre o eixo H2O2/CAT/equilíbrio redox, na SMet. Para tanto, utilizou-se este em diferentes doses (125, 250 e 500 mg.kg-1) na dieta de animais C57BL6 com SMet por 12 semanas. Os camundongos tratados apresentaram aumento da lipólise (p<0,001) e diminuição (p<0,001): no diâmetro dos adipócitos; no peso corporal; na distribuição de tecido adiposo; no índice de adiposidade; na expressão plasmática de leptina; nos níveis plasmáticos e hepáticos do colesterol total, triglicerídeos e ácidos graxos livres não esterificados; na glicemia durante os teste de tolerância à glicose, resistência à insulina e do piruvato; no índice de avaliação indireta da resistência à insulina e nos níveis plasmáticos de insulina (p<0,01). Diminuição (p<0,05) da expressão gênica no fígado para: receptor para a insulina; Glicose-6-fosfatase (G6Pase) e Glicoquinase (GCK). Aumento da expressão gênica para: fosfoenolpiruvato carboxiquinase 2 (PcK2) (p<0,01); proteína translocase de ácido graxo (CD36/FAT) (p<0,001) e proteína ligadora de ácidos graxos (aP2) (p<0,001). Além da diminuição da atividade da catalase e níveis das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) (p<0,05). O ATZ mostra ser um potente indutor lipolítico capaz de promover um importante efeito antiobesidade, ao diminuir o peso corporal, regular o balanço lipídico entre o plasma e o fígado, melhorar o perfil glicêmico e a sensibilidade à insulina, além de modular o desequilíbrio redox em animais com SMet induzida por dieta hiperlipídica.