The isozymic similarity of indoleacetic Acid oxidase to peroxidase in birch and horseradish.

The relationship of indoleacetic acid oxidase activity to peroxidase activity is complicated by numerous multiple forms of this enzyme system. It is not known if all isozymes of this complex system contain both types of activity. Isozyme analysis of commercial horseradish peroxidase and leaf extracts of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels was used to examine this problem. Horseradish and birch exhibited 20 and 13 peroxidase isozymes, respectively, by staining with benzidine or scopoletin. Guaiacol was less sensitive. Indoleacetic acid oxidase staining (dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde) generally showed fewer bands, and left doubt as to the residence of both types of activity on all isozymes. Elution of the isozymes from the gels and wet assays verified that all peroxidase isozymes contained indoleacetic acid oxidase activity as well. Estimation of oxidase to peroxidase ratios for the major bands indicated small differences in this parameter. A unique isozyme for one or the other type of activity was not found.