Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PHOSPHOGLUCOMUTASE”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources

Mapping of the OB receptor to 1p in a region of nonconserved gene order from mouse and rat to human.

As part of an effort to identify informative molecular markers for genetic analysis of human pedigrees segregating for obesity, we have developed a genetic map of human 1p in the region of the OB receptor (OBR), the gene that is defective in murine diabetes (Obrdb) and rat Zucker fatty (Obrfa) mutations located on mid-chromosome 4 and chromosome 5, respectively. OBR was mapped 0.9 cR centromeric to WI-9515 and 2.2 cR telomeric of WI-7249 by radiation hybrid (RH) mapping. Ten yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing OBR were identified, confirming the location of OBR centromeric to WI-9515 and telomeric to WI-7249. Additionally, five P1 artificial chromosomes (PACs) were identified that comprised a contiguous series of overlapping clones spanning the length of OBR. WI-5182 was contained within the two PACs that are 3' of OBR. Using a panel of 68 individuals from a single three-generation family and an additional nuclear family, we have mapped 18 polymorphic markers including phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1), which is centromeric to Obrdb / Obrfa, and D1S85, which is telomeric to Obrdb / Obrfa in the mouse and rat. The following composite map integrates these radiation hybrid, genetic, and physical maps: Centromere-@WI-7249-[OBR; WI-5182]-D1S198-[WI-9515; WI-6550; D1S2866]-D1S2825-[WI-3077; D1S2886]-[D1S515; DS1613; PGM1]-[D1S312; D1S473; D1S230; D1S246; D1S203]-D2S1643-[D1S1669; D1S1596;]UNCJ-D1S476- D1S85-D1S220-C8B-GTAT1A7. Unresolvable markers are within brackets. A comparison of gene order on mouse chromosome 4, rat chromosome 5, and human 1p indicates that between rodents and humans, there has been a rearrangement of the gene order in the region surrounding OBR.

Animals↗

Analysis of the compartmentation of glycolytic intermediates, nucleotides, sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and sugar alcohols in potato tubers using a nonaqueous fractionation method.

The compartmentation of metabolism in heterotrophic plant tissues is poorly understood due to the lack of data on metabolite distributions and fluxes between subcellular organelles. The main reason for this is the lack of suitable experimental methods with which intracellular metabolism can be measured. Here, we describe a nonaqueous fractionation method that allows the subcellular distributions of metabolites in developing potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Desiree) tubers to be calculated. In addition, we have coupled this fractionation method to a recently described gas chromatography-mass spectrometry procedure that allows the measurement of a wide range of small metabolites. To calculate the subcellular metabolite concentrations, we have analyzed organelle volumes in growing potato tubers using electron microscopy. The relative volume distributions in tubers are very similar to the ones for source leaves. More than 60% of most sugars, sugar alcohols, organic acids, and amino acids were found in the vacuole, although the concentrations of these metabolites is often higher in the cytosol. Significant amounts of the substrates for starch biosynthesis, hexose phosphates, and ATP were found in the plastid. However, pyrophosphate was located almost exclusively in the cytosol. Calculation of the mass action ratios of sucrose synthase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, phosphoglucosisomerase, and phosphoglucomutase indicate that these enzymes are close to equilibrium in developing potato tubers. However, due to the low plastidic pyrophosphate concentration, the reaction catalyzed by ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was estimated to be far removed from equilibrium.

Amino Acids↗

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is activated by posttranslational redox-modification in response to light and to sugars in leaves of Arabidopsis and other plant species.

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) catalyzes the first committed reaction in the pathway of starch synthesis. It was recently shown that potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber AGPase is subject to redox-dependent posttranslational regulation, involving formation of an intermolecular Cys bridge between the two catalytic subunits (AGPB) of the heterotetrameric holoenzyme (A. Tiessen, J.H.M. Hendriks, M. Stitt, A. Branscheid, Y. Gibon, E.M. Farré, P. Geigenberger [2002] Plant Cell 14: 2191-2213). We show here that AGPase is also subject to posttranslational regulation in leaves of pea (Pisum sativum), potato, and Arabidopsis. Conversion is accompanied by an increase in activity, which involves changes in the kinetic properties. Light and sugars act as inputs to trigger posttranslational regulation of AGPase in leaves. AGPB is rapidly converted from a dimer to a monomer when isolated chloroplasts are illuminated and from a monomer to a dimer when preilluminated leaves are darkened. AGPB is converted from a dimer to monomer when sucrose is supplied to leaves via the petiole in the dark. Conversion to monomeric form increases during the day as leaf sugars increase. This is enhanced in the starchless phosphoglucomutase mutant, which has higher sugar levels than wild-type Columbia-0. The extent of AGPB monomerization correlates with leaf sugar levels, and at a given sugar content, is higher in the light than the dark. This novel posttranslational regulation mechanism will allow starch synthesis to be regulated in response to light and sugar levels in the leaf. It complements the well-characterized regulation network that coordinates fluxes of metabolites with the recycling of phosphate during photosynthetic carbon fixation and sucrose synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Induction of ApL3 expression by trehalose complements the starch-deficient Arabidopsis mutant adg2-1 lacking ApL1, the large subunit of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase.

The disaccharide trehalose has strong effects on plant metabolism and development. In Arabidopsis seedlings, growth on trehalose-containing medium leads to an inhibition of root elongation, an accumulation of starch in the shoots, an increased activity of ADP-Glc pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), and an induction of the expression of the AGPase gene, ApL3 (A. Wingler, T. Fritzius, A. Wiemken, T. Boller, R.A. Aeschbacher [2000] Plant Physiol 124: 105-114). We used Arabidopsis mutants deficient in starch synthesis to examine whether the primary effect of trehalose was to affect carbohydrate allocation by the induction of AGPase in the photosynthetic tissue. In a mutant lacking the large AGPase subunit, ApL1, (adg2-1 mutant) growth on trehalose restored AGPase activity and led to a strong accumulation of starch in the shoots. In contrast, starch synthesis could not be induced in a mutant lacking the small AGPase subunit, ApS, (adg1-1 mutant) or in a mutant lacking plastidic phosphoglucomutase (pgm1-1 mutant). These results indicate that ApL3 can substitute for ApL1 in the AGPase complex. In addition, root elongation in the mutants, especially in the adg1-1 mutant, was partially resistant to trehalose, suggesting that the induction of ApL3 expression and the resulting accumulation of starch in the shoots were partially responsible for the effects of trehalose on the growth of wild-type plants.

Arabidopsis↗

The regulation of sugar uptake and accumulation in bean pod tissue.

The identity, localization and physiological significance of enzymes involved in sugar uptake and accumulation were determined for endocarp tissue of pods of Kentucky Wonder pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). An intracellular, alkaline invertase (pH optimum, 8) was assayed in extracted protein, as well as enzymes involved in sucrose synthesis, namely, uridinediphosphate (UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP-glucose-fructose transglucosylase). Indirect evidence indicated the presence also of hexokinase, phosphohexoseisomerase and phosphoglucomutase. The data suggested that sucrose synthesis occurred in the cytoplasm, and that both sugar storage and an alkaline invertase occurred in the vacuole. The latter functions to hydrolyze accumulated sucrose. An outer space invertase (pH optimum, 4.0) was detected, but was variable in occurrence. Although its activity at the cell surface enhanced sucrose uptake, sucrose may be taken up unaltered.Over a wide range of concentrations of exogenous glucose the sucrose/reducing sugar ratio of accumulated sugars remained unchanged at about 20. Synthesis of sucrose appears to be requisite to initial accumulation from glucose or fructose, as free hexoses do not increase at the apparent saturating concentration for uptake. Sucrose accumulation from exogenous hexose represents a steady-state value, in which sucrose is transported across the tonoplast into the vacuole at a rate equivalent to its rate of synthesis. Evidence indicates that this component of the accumulation process involves active transport of sucrose against a concentration gradient. The ratio of sucrose/reducing sugars in the accumulated sugars immediately after a period of uptake was inversely related to the level of inner space invertase. Within 16 hours after a period of accumulation, practically all of the sugar occurs as glucose and fructose.The absence of competition among hexoses and sucrose indicated that a common carrier was not involved in their uptake. From a series of studies on the kinetics of uptake of glucose and fructose, including competition studies, the effects of inhibitors, radioactive assay of accumulated sugars and the distribution of label in accumulated sucrose it appeared that rate limitation for glucose or fructose uptake resides in the sequence of reactions leading to sucrose synthesis, rather than in a process mediated by a carrier protein.

Journal Article↗

Regulation by auxin of carbohydrate metabolism involved in cell wall synthesis by pea stem tissue.

Promotion of cell wall synthesis (from glucose) in pea (Pisum sativum) stem segments by indoleacetic acid (IAA) develops over a period of 1 to 2 hours and is comprised of a promotion of glucose uptake plus a promotion of the utilization of absorbed glucose. The effect of IAA resembles, in these and other respects, its effect on cell wall synthesis in oat coleoptile segments, but the pea system differs in not being inhibited by galactose or mannose, in involving considerably more isotope dilution by endogenous substrates, and in certain other respects.EFFECTOR INFLUENCES UPON AND TOTAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FOLLOWING ENZYMES OBTAINED FROM ETIOLATED PEA STEM SEGMENTS PRETREATED WITH OR WITHOUT IAA WERE EXAMINED: phosphoglucomutase, uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose) pyrophosphorylase, nucleoside diphosphokinase, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, inorganic pyrophosphatase, hexokinase (particulate and soluble), and UDP-glucose-beta-1,4-glucan-glucosyl transferase (beta-glucan synthetase). The first three enzymes mentioned exhibit high activity relative to the flux in vivo, do not appear to show physiologically significant effector responses, and are concluded not to be control points. UDP-glucose dehydrogenase activity is regulated by UDP-xylose. Hexokinase is a potential control point but does not exhibit regulatory effects related to the IAA response. beta-Glucan synthetase is the only one of these enzymes with activity which is increased by treatment of tissue with IAA, and this may be responsible for the effect of IAA on wall synthesis.Assays of metabolite pools support the conclusion that stimulation of polysaccharide synthesis by IAA is due partly to changes in hexokinase reaction rate resulting from an increase in metabolic glucose pool size caused by increased glucose uptake, and partly to increased activity at the polysaccharide synthetase level.

Journal Article↗

Enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in the developing rice grain.

The levels of reducing and nonreducing sugars, starch, soluble protein, and selected enzymes involved in the metabolism of sucrose, glucose-1-P, and glucose nucleotides were assayed in dehulled developing rice grains (Oryza sativa L. line IR1541-76-3) during the first 3 weeks after flowering. The level of reducing sugars in the grain was highest 5 to 6 days after flowering. The level of nonreducing sugars and the rate of starch accumulation were maximum 11 to 12 days after flowering, when the level of soluble protein was also the highest. The activities of bound and free invertase, sucrose-UDP and sucrose-ADP glucosyltransferases, hexokinase, phosphoglucomutase, nucleoside diphosphokinase, and UDP-glucose and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylases were high throughout starch deposition, and were maximum, except for nucleoside diphosphokinase which did not increase in activity, between 8 and 18 days after flowering. Soluble primed phosphorylase and ADP glucose-alpha-glucosyltransferase (starch synthetase) were both present during starch accumulation. Phosphorylase activity was at least 2-fold that of soluble starch synthetase but the synthetase followed more closely the rate of starch accumulation in the grain. The activity of starch synthetase bound to the starch granule also increased progressively with increased starch content of the grain.

Journal Article↗

Regulation of glucose metabolism and cell wall synthesis in Avena stem segments by gibberellic Acid.

Gibberellic acid (GA) stimulated both the elongation of Avena sativa stem segments and increased synthesis of cell wall material. The effects of GA on glucose metabolism, as related to cell wall synthesis, have been investigated in order to find specific events regulated by GA. GA caused a decline in the levels of glucose, glucose 6-phosphate, and fructose 6-phosphate if exogenous sugar was not supplied to the segments, whereas the hormone caused no change in the levels of glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, UDP-glucose, or the adenylate energy charge if the segments were incubated in 0.1 m glucose. No GA-induced change could be demonstrated in the activities of hexokinase, phosphoglucomutase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, or polysaccharide synthetases using UDP-glucose, UDP-galactose, UDP-xylose, and UDP-arabinose as substrates. GA stimulated the activity of GDP-glucose-dependent beta-glucan synthetase by 2- to 4-fold over the control. When glucan synthetase was assayed using UDP-glucose as substrate, only beta-1,3-linked glucan was synthesized in vitro, whereas with GDP-glucose, only beta-1,4-linked glucan was synthesized. These results suggest that one part of the mechanism by which GA stimulates cell wall synthesis concurrently with elongation in Avena stem segments may be through a stimulation of cell wall polysaccharide synthetase activity.

Journal Article↗

Metalloenzyme inhibitor from kidney beans: partial purification and characterization.

Inhibitory activity directed against metalloenzymes has been highly purified from extracts of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The inhibitor is a substance of small molecular weight and appears to be a chelator of Zn(2+). One milligram of the preparation inhibited 23 milligrams carboxypeptidase A. The inhibitor also strongly inhibited carboxypeptidase B and alkaline phosphatase and could activate phosphoglucomutase that had previously been inactivated with Zn(2+). The isoelectric point of the inhibitor is 4.7. The inhibitor activity was abolished by preincubation with Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), or Cu(2+). The mechanism of inhibition of carboxypeptidases and alkaline phosphatase by the bean inhibitor is apparently due to the complexing and complete removal of Zn(2+) from the enzymes.

Journal Article↗

Effects of cryogenic treatment on plantlet production from frozen and unfrozen date palm callus.

Embryogenic date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. var. Medjool) callus cultures were treated with a cryoprotective mixture of polyethylene glycol (Carbowax 6000), glucose, and dimethylsulfoxide (10%/8%/10%, w/v); treated with the mixture, frozen to -196 degrees C, and then thawed; or left untreated. Growth subsequent to treatment was measured as fresh weight increase and as the number of embryos produced during 18 weeks of culture. The growth of calli that were frozen and thawed, compared to the other treatments, was greatly inhibited during the first 9 weeks of culture. This inhibition disappeared in subcultured tissue. In all treatments, cultures initiated plantlets after 9 weeks. Enzyme polymorphism, for five gene-associated enzyme systems including alcohol dehydrogenase, esterase, peroxidase, phosphoglucomutase, and phosphoglucoisomerase, was analyzed in leaves of regenerated plantlets by using starch gel electrophoresis for separation. Isozyme patterns were similar for all treatments.

Journal Article↗

Light modulation of phosphofructokinase in pea leaf chloroplasts.

Chloroplastic phosphofructokinase, phosphorylase, phosphoglucomutase, and phosphoglucoisomerase in peas are light inactivated. The effect of light on phosphofructokinase is mimicked by dithiothreitol. DCMU, arsenite, and sulfite inhibit light modulation of the enzyme. No effect of light inactivation on the K(m) (fructose-6-P) or pH optima of phosphofructokinase was observed.

Journal Article↗

Biosynthesis of Starch in Proplastids of Germinating Ricinus communis Endosperm Tissue.

Electron photomicrographs of endosperm tissue from germinating seed of Ricinus communis L. cv. Hale show proplastids which contain prominent starch grains. The content of starch in endosperm tissue increased from 500 micrograms per seed, in imbibed seed, to 1,100 micrograms per seed in 5-day-old seedlings. The maximum net rate of starch deposition was 1.1 nanomoles glucose incorporated per minute per seed. About 200 micrograms of starch remained in the endosperm 9 days after imbibition. Starch content followed the same developmental pattern as the content of sucrose, free reducing sugars, and other metabolic processes found in this tissue. Two key enzymes of starch synthesis, adenosine diphosphoglucose (ADPG) pyrophosphorylase and ADPG-starch glucosyl transferase (starch synthetase) exhibited maximum activities at 4 and 5 days after germination, respectively. The maximum activity of ADPG pyrophosphorylase was 8.17 nanomoles ADPG formed per minute per seed, whereas starch synthetase exhibited an activity of 125 nanomoles glucose incorporated per minute per seed. These levels of enzyme activity are sufficient to account for the starch synthesis observed. Other enzymes which may be involved in starch synthesis include 3-phosphoglycerate kinase which showed an activity of 8.76 units per seed, triose-P isomerase (2.56 units per seed), fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (0.99 units per seed), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (0.23 units per seed), phosphoglucose isomerase (12.6 units per seed), and phosphoglucomutase (9.72 units per seed). The activities of these enzymes were similar to previously reported values.Starch synthetase was found in association with the fraction containing proplastids isolated from endosperm tissue. Of the total starch synthetase activity in the endosperm, 38% was particulate. Forty-four% of the total particulate activity of starch synthetase placed on sucrose gradients was associated with the band containing proplastids. The proplastids contained 98% of the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase carboxylase activity placed on the gradient.

Journal Article↗

Enzyme activities associated with maize kernel amyloplasts.

Activities of the enzymes of gluconeogenesis and of starch metabolism were measured in extracts of amyloplasts isolated from protoplasts derived from 14-day-old maize (Zea mays L., cv Pioneer 3780) endosperm. The enzymes triosephosphate isomerase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphohexose isomerase, phosphoglucomutase, ADPG pyrophosphorylase, UDPG pyrophosphorylase, soluble and bound starch synthases, and branching enzyme were found to be present in the amyloplasts. Of the above enzymes, ADPG pyrophosphorylase had the lowest activity per amyloplast. Invertase, sucrose synthase and hexokinase were not detected in similar amyloplast preparations. Only a trace of the cytoplasmic marker enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase could be detected in purified amyloplast fractions. In separate experiments, purified amyloplasts were lysed and then supplied with radioactively labeled glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, glucose, fructose, sucrose, and 3-0-methylglucose in the presence of adenosine triphosphate or uridine triphosphate. Of the above, only the phosphorylated substrates were incorporated into starch. Incorporation into starch was higher with added uridine triphosphate than with adenosine triphosphate. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate was the preferred substrate for uptake by intact amyloplasts and incorporation into starch. In preliminary experiments, it appeared that glucose-6-P and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate may also be taken up by intact amyloplasts. However, the rate of uptake and incorporation into starch was relatively low and variable. Additional study is needed to determine conclusively whether hexose phosphates will cross intact amyloplast membranes. From these data, we conclude that: (a) Triose phosphate is the preferred substrate for uptake by intact amyloplasts. (b) Amyloplasts contain all enzymes necessary to convert triose phosphates into starch. (c) Sucrose breakdown must occur in the cytosol prior to carbohydrate transfer into the amyloplasts. (d) Under the conditions of assay, amyloplasts are unable to convert glucose or fructose to starch. (e) Uridine triphosphate may be the preferred nucleotide for conversion of hexose phosphates to starch at this stage of kernel development.

Journal Article↗

Enzymes of sucrose and hexose metabolism in developing kernels of two inbreds of maize.

Tissue distribution and activity of enzymes involved in sucrose and hexose metabolism were examined in kernels of two inbreds of maize (Zea mays L.) at progressive stages of development. Levels of sugars and starch were also quantitated throughout development. Enzyme activities studied were: ATP-linked fructokinase, UTP-linked fructokinase, ATP-linked glucokinase, sucrose synthase, UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase, UDP-Glc dehydrogenase, PPi-linked phosphofructokinase, ATP-linked phosphofructokinase, NAD-dependent sorbitol dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent 6-P-gluconate dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent Glc-6-P dehydrogenase, aldolase, phosphoglucoisomerase, and phosphoglucomutase. Distribution of invertase activity was examined histochemically. Hexokinase and ATP-linked phosphofructokinase activities were the lowest among these enzymes and it is likely that these enzymes may regulate the utilization of sucrose in developing maize kernels. Most of the hexokinase activity was found in the endosperm, but the embryo had high activity on a dry weight basis. The endosperm, which stores primarily starch, contained high PPi-linked phosphofructokinase and low ATP-linked phosphofructokinase activities, whereas the embryo, which stores primarily lipids, had much higher ATP-linked phosphofructokinase activity than did the endosperm. It is suggested that PPi required by UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase and PPi-linked phosphofructokinase in the endosperm may be supplied by starch synthesis. Sorbitol dehydrogenase activity was largely restricted to the endosperm, whereas 6-P-gluconate and Glc-6-P dehydrogenase activities were highest in the base and pericarp. A possible metabolic pathway by which sucrose is converted into starch is proposed.

Journal Article↗

A Nuclear Mutation in Nicotiana sylvestris Causing a Thiamine-Reversible Defect in Synthesis of Chloroplast Pigments.

We report the recovery of a nuclear recessive mutation in Nicotiana sylvestris (Spegazzini and Comes) producing a conditional disruption in the pathway for synthesis of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids which is fully reversible by exogenous thiamine (0.3 micromolar). In the absence of supplemental thiamine, chlorophyll levels declined by 50% after 5 days, and fell to undetectable levels by 11 days. Mitochondrial (KCN sensitive) respiration rates remained normal in albino leaves (80% loss of chlorophyll), suggesting that chlorosis results primarily from a deficiency of thiamine in the chloroplasts. After thiamine removal, mutant plants produced at least 10 albino leaves with a substantial capacity for growth (0-15 centimeters; 70-fold increase in area), demonstrating sustained operation of many cellular functions in spite of chloroplast disruption. Activities of the plastid isozymes of phosphoglucomutase and phosphoglucoisomerase in albino leaves indicated that the decline in pigment synthesis does not result from a general loss of metabolic activity in chloroplast. Plastid pyruvate dehydrogenase from mutant and wild-type plants displayed a similar affinity for thiamine pyrophosphate, showing that chlorosis does not result from an alteration in this enzyme. Growth of albino leaves and ultrastructural evidence for thylakoid membranes in the chloroplasts suggest that a certain level of fatty acid synthesis is maintained after the interruption of pigment synthesis. Since thiamine deprivation is expected to block production of acetyl-coenzyme A from pyruvate by pyruvate dehydrogenase, acetyl-coenzyme A supporting fatty acid synthesis in albino leaves may be derived solely from mitochondrial acetate.

Journal Article↗

Effect of temperature on starch synthesis in potato tuber tissue and in amyloplasts.

A sharp temperature optimum is observed at 21.5 degrees C when the incorporation of [(14)C]sucrose into starch is measured with discs cut from developing tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Desirée). By contrast, increasing temperatures over the range 9 to 31 degrees C only enhance release of (14)C to respiratory CO(2) and incorporation of (14)C into the ethanolsoluble fraction. By comparison, starch synthesis in discs from developing corms of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) is increased by raising the temperature from 15 to 35 degrees C. The significance of a relatively low temperature optimum for starch synthesis in potato is discussed in relation to the yield limitations imposed by continuously high soil temperatures. Amyloplasts isolated from protoplasts prepared from developing potato tubers contain activities of alkaline pyrophosphatase, NAD-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and phosphoglucomutase in addition to ADP-glucose-pyrophosphorylase, starch phosphorylase and starch synthase. Cell-free amyloplasts released by thinly slicing developing potato tubers synthesize starch from [(14)C]triose-phosphate generated from [(14)C]fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in the reaction medium. This starch synthesis is inhibited by addition of 10 millimolar inorganic phosphate and requires amyloplast integrity, suggesting the operation of a triose-phosphate/inorganic phosphate exchange carrier at the amyloplast membrane. The temperature optimum at 21.5 degrees C observed with tissue discs is not observed with amyloplasts.

Journal Article↗

Sucrose metabolism in lima bean seeds.

Developing and germinating lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus var Cangreen) seeds were used for testing the sucrose synthase pathway, to examine the competition for uridine diphosphate (UDP) and pyrophosphate (PPi), and to identify adaptive and maintenance-type enzymes in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. In developing seeds, sucrose breakdown was dominated by the sucrose synthase pathway; but in the seedling embryos, both the sucrose synthase pathway and acid invertase were active. UDPase activity was low and seemingly insufficient to compete for UDP during sucrose metabolism in seed development or germination. In contrast, both an acid and alkaline pyrophosphatase were active in seed development and germination. The set of adaptive enzymes identified in developing seeds were sucrose synthase, PPi-dependent phosphofructokinase, plus acid and alkaline pyrophosphatase; and, the adaptive enzymes identified in germinating seeds included the same set of enzymes plus acid invertase. The set of maintenance enzymes identified during development, in the dry seed, and during germination were UDP-glucopyrophosphorylase, neutral invertase, ATP and UTP-dependent fructokinase, glucokinase, phosphoglucomutase, ATP and UTP-dependent phosphofructokinase and sucrose-P synthase.

Journal Article↗

Steady-State and Oscillating Photosynthesis by a Starchless Mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris.

The photosynthetic characteristics of wild type Nicotiana sylvestris (Speg. et Comes) were compared with those of a ;starch-less' mutant NS458 that contains a defective plastid phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.1.5.1) (KR Hanson, NA McHale [1988] Plant Physiol 88: 838-844). The steady-state rate of net CO(2) assimilation (A) was studied as a function of [CO(2)], [O(2)], irradiance, and temperature. At 30 degrees C with saturating light and [CO(2)] and low [O(2)], A for the mutant was half that for the wild type, whereas in normal air it was 90%. The irradiance and [CO(2)] at low [O(2)] required for saturation were lower than the values for the wild type. At 2000 microbars CO(2), 30 degrees C, and saturating irradiance A for both the mutant and wild type was stimulated on going from 4 to 25% O(2) by at least 13%. Slow oscillations in A were readily induced with the mutant but not the wild type, provided irradiance and [CO(2)] were saturating and [O(2)] was low. The period, which was about 5 minutes at 30 degrees C and decreased by about 0.67 minutes per degree, was an order of magnitude slower than periods reported for other plants at corresponding temperatures. To achieve the full oscillation amplitude both irradiance and [CO(2)] had to exceed the minimal levels for steady-state saturation. The slowness and duration of the oscillations and the metabolic simplification introduced by deleting starch synthesis makes the mutant especially suitable for investigating the regulatory processes that generate such oscillations.

Journal Article↗