干旱胁迫对5种植物叶绿体和线粒体超微结构的影响

应用温室盆栽方法,研究了土壤干旱胁迫对麻栎（Quercus acutissima Carruth）、黄檀（Dalbergia hupeana Hance）、黄连木(Pistacia chinensis)、湿地松（Pinus elliottii）、朴树（Celtis sinesis Pers）5个树种叶肉细胞超微构的影响。结果表明：正常水分条件下,叶肉细胞中各细胞器结构完整。轻度干旱胁迫下,湿地松的叶片超微结构未受损伤。麻栎线粒体无明显变化,叶绿体有扩张现象。黄连木与黄檀线粒体外膜有降解现象,叶绿体膨胀。朴树线粒体与叶绿体受损明显。重度胁迫下,湿地松和麻栎的线粒体内部出现降解,叶绿体受损。黄连木与黄檀出现质壁分离,叶绿体与线粒体受到严重损伤。朴树细胞内部受损最严重。可将5个树种分为3种不同的抗旱等级：湿地松与麻栎抗旱性较强,黄连木与黄檀抗旱性中等,朴树抗旱性较弱。     

Na2CO3胁迫对星星草叶肉细胞超微结构的影响

利用透射电镜技术对Na2CO3胁迫下星星草叶肉细胞超微结构进行了观察。结果表明：未胁迫的叶肉细胞排列疏松,各种细胞器结构完整,叶绿体含少量淀粉粒和脂质球。轻度盐胁迫（2g/L,4g／LNa2CO3）对叶肉细胞超微结构影响较小。中度盐胁迫（6g／L,8g／L Na2CO3）引起叶肉细胞超微结构的变化,叶绿体类囊体肿胀,基粒紊乱,不含淀粉粒,脂质球数量增加,叶绿体由原来的梭形或椭球形变成圆球状;部分线粒体嵴消失,出现晶体结构;中央大液泡破裂;核逐渐降解。高度盐胁迫（10g／L,12g／LNa2CO3）下,叶绿体片层结构消失,脂质球数量增加,体积变大,被大量的膜片层所包围,叶绿体内、外膜消失,叶肉细胞中看不到叶绿体的存在;膜片层包围线粒体;叶肉细胞中可见大量的泡状结构和膜片层,叶肉细胞死亡。上述结果表明,细胞器特别是叶绿体膜结构的破坏与盐胁迫叶肉细胞最终死亡密切相关。     

干旱胁迫对不同耐旱性大麦品种叶片超微结构的影响

选用耐旱性不同的3个大麦(Hordeum sativum)品种作为研究对象, 分析干旱胁迫对其叶肉细胞叶绿体、线粒体和细胞核超微结构的影响。结果表明, 3个大麦品种在非胁迫条件下其超微结构无明显差异。遭受干旱胁迫后, 不耐旱大麦品种Moroc9-75叶片细胞核中染色质的凝聚程度高, 叶绿体变形, 外被膜出现较大程度的波浪状和膨胀, 同时基粒出现弯曲、膨胀、排列混乱的现象; 线粒体外形及膜受到破坏、内部嵴部分消失等。耐旱大麦品种HS41-1叶片细胞中染色质虽出现凝聚, 但凝聚程度低; 其叶绿体及线粒体与非胁迫条件下基本相似, 多数未见明显损伤。耐旱中等的大麦品种Martin叶片超微结构的变化则介于二者之间。因此, 干旱胁迫下叶绿体外形、基粒和基质类囊体膜结构的完整性与基粒的排列次序、染色质的凝聚度和线粒体膜及嵴的完整性与大麦的耐旱性相关, 这些特性可作为评价大麦耐旱性强弱的形态结构指标。     

干旱胁迫对不同耐旱性大麦品种叶片超微结构的影响

选用耐旱性不同的3个大麦（Hordeum sativum）品种作为研究对象,分析干旱胁迫对其叶肉细胞叶绿体、线粒体和细胞核超微结构的影响。结果表明,3个大麦品种在非胁迫条件下其超微结构无明显差异。遭受干旱胁迫后,不耐旱大麦品种Moroc9-75叶片细胞核中染色质的凝聚程度高,叶绿体变形,外被膜出现较大程度的波浪状和膨胀,同时基粒出现弯曲、膨胀、排列混乱的现象;线粒体外形及膜受到破坏、内部嵴部分消失等。耐旱大麦品种HS41-1叶片细胞中染色质虽出现凝聚,但凝聚程度低;其叶绿体及线粒体与非胁迫条件下基本相似,多数未见明显损伤。耐旱中等的大麦品种Martin叶片超微结构的变化则介于二者之间。因此,干旱胁迫下叶绿体外形、基粒和基质类囊体膜结构的完整性与基粒的排列次序、染色质的凝聚度和线粒体膜及嵴的完整性与大麦的耐旱性相关,这些特性可作为评价大麦耐旱性强弱的形态结构指标。     

Na2CO3胁迫对星星草叶肉细胞超微结构的影响

利用透射电镜技术对Na₂CO₃胁迫下星星草叶肉细胞超微结构进行了观察。结果表明：未胁迫的叶肉细胞排列疏松,各种细胞器结构完整,叶绿体含少量淀粉粒和脂质球。轻度盐胁迫（2g/L,4g/L Na₂CO₃）对叶肉细胞超微结构影响较小。中度盐胁迫（6g/L,8g/L Na₂CO₃）引起叶肉细胞超微结构的变化,叶绿体类囊体肿胀,基粒紊乱,不含淀粉粒,脂质球数量增加,叶绿体由原来的梭形或椭球形变成圆球状;部分线粒体嵴消失,出现晶体结构;中央大液泡破裂;核逐渐降解。高度盐胁迫（10g/L,12g/L Na₂CO₃）下,叶绿体片层结构消失,脂质球数量增加,体积变大,被大量的膜片层所包围,叶绿体内、外膜消失,叶肉细胞中看不到叶绿体的存在;膜片层包围线粒体;叶肉细胞中可见大量的泡状结构和膜片层,叶肉细胞死亡。上述结果表明,细胞器特别是叶绿体膜结构的破坏与盐胁迫叶肉细胞最终死亡密切相关     

干旱胁迫对2种光合类型C4荒漠植物叶片光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响

以荒漠C₄草本植物蔷薇猪毛菜(NADP苹果酸酶型,NADP-ME）和粗枝猪毛菜（NAD苹果酸酶型,NAD-ME）为研究对象,采用盆栽控水试验设置正常供水和轻度、中度、重度干旱处理（土壤含水量分别为田间持水量80%、60%、45%和35%）,通过测定不同程度干旱胁迫下叶片含水量、C₄光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性等指标,探讨不同类型C₄荒漠植物光合特征酶和抗氧化系统对干旱逆境的适应机制。结果显示：（1）2种植物叶片含水量均随干旱胁迫的加剧不同程度降低。（2）叶片磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶（PEPC）活性在中度干旱胁迫下显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下急剧下降;蔷薇猪毛菜NAD-ME活性和粗枝猪毛菜NADP-ME活性都很低,且它们基本不受干旱胁迫的影响;随干旱胁迫的加剧,蔷薇猪毛菜NADP-ME活性呈下降趋势,而粗枝猪毛菜NAD-ME活性先显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下显著降低。（3）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性呈下降趋势,过氧化物酶（POD）活性在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度增加;过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性在中度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度的增加,但在重度干旱胁迫下蔷薇猪毛菜CAT活性降低,而粗枝猪毛菜CAT活性显著增加;丙二醛（MDA）含量随干旱胁迫的加剧均有不同程度的增加。研究认为,一定程度干旱胁迫下,2种荒漠植物的PEPC活性均有增加;不同光合类型C₄植物叶片脱羧酶（NADP-ME和NAD-ME）对干旱胁迫的响应有明显的差异。POD和CAT是这两种C₄植物适应干旱胁迫的主要抗氧化酶,但蔷薇猪毛菜CAT在重度干旱胁迫下没有起到积极保护作用。     

环境胁迫对库拉索芦荟叶片超微结构影响研究

对1年生库拉索芦荟分别用盐(1.8%的NaCl)、低温(10℃)、干旱[25%(w/v)的聚乙二醇-6000]3种胁迫条件处理7d后,对其叶肉细胞超微结构进行观察.结果发现:3种胁迫处理均可使库拉索芦荟细胞膜系统、叶绿体、线粒体、细胞核等结构受到不同程度的破坏,叶绿体周围出现许多小泡,导致细胞内膜系统紊乱,细胞器结构稳定性降低;盐胁迫下高尔基体在细胞质中解体;盐和低温胁迫下均可见线粒体膜与叶绿体膜发生融合、线粒体嵌在叶绿体当中的现象.另外,本研究发现,盐胁迫、低温胁迫比干旱胁迫对库拉索芦荟细胞膜的损伤更严重,而水分胁迫对其的伤害程度较小,表明库拉索芦荟的抗旱性较其抗盐性更强.     

低温对桂花‘状元红’叶肉细胞超微结构的影响

为探讨北引桂花(Osmanthus fragrans)在低温胁迫下叶肉细胞超微结构的变化,揭示桂花于低温胁迫下细胞结构变化规律,该研究以3年生桂花品种‘状元红’(O.fragrans‘Zhuangyuan Hong’)为试材,分别于一系列低温下处理,经制样切片后,用透射电子显微镜观察叶肉细胞超微结构的变化。结果表明:常温(20~25°C)处理时,各细胞器超微结构正常;5°C低温处理时,叶绿体有轻微膨大现象,线粒体结构正常;0°C处理时叶绿体内嗜锇体增多,叶绿体肿胀加剧,线粒体数量增加,淀粉粒出现亮暗相间的轮纹;–10°C处理时,细胞器降解。在同一低温胁迫下不同细胞的叶绿体敏感程度不同,这为遭受低温后植株的恢复生长提供了细胞学基础。叶肉细胞中叶绿体、线粒体、细胞核的稳定性可作为桂花对低温响应的重要参考指标。     

水分胁迫下小麦叶肉细胞超微结构变化与抗旱性的关系

本文用电子显微镜观察研究了抗旱性不同的6个小麦品种在不同程度水分胁迫下叶肉细胞超微结构的变化。结果表明:轻度水分胁迫(-0.5MPa)对参试的6个小麦品种叶肉细胞超微结构几乎没有影响。中度(-1.0MPa)和严重(-1.5MPa)水分胁迫下的叶肉细胞超微结构发生了程度不同的变化,且这种变化与品种抗旱性相一致。抗旱性愈弱的品种,对水分胁迫反应愈敏感。但表现在叶肉细胞结构上的变化过程基本一致。胁迫导致叶肉细胞质壁分离,液泡膜破裂。叶绿体变成球形挤入细胞中央,类囊体肿胀。线粒体基质变稀,脊减少。最终叶绿体、线粒体解体。其它细胞器消失,细胞中出现大量的小泡。     

NaCl胁迫对宁夏枸杞叶和幼根显微及超微结构的影响

以宁夏枸杞为材料,采用超薄切片技术制备样品,应用光学显微镜和透射电镜分析了不同浓度NaCl胁迫条件下宁夏枸杞叶和幼根显微及超微结构的变化。结果表明：随着NaCl胁迫的加重,(1)叶片上表皮细胞增厚,栅栏组织细胞出现缩短现象,排列疏松且紊乱;幼根的初生结构无明显变化。(2)叶片栅栏组织中叶绿体不再紧靠在细胞膜上,叶绿体双层膜破坏,基粒片层松散排列,杂乱无章,出现膨胀和空泡现象,淀粉粒和嗜锇颗粒增多,叶肉细胞中线粒体发生轻微变化;幼根中皮层薄壁细胞线粒体形状发生改变,结构破坏,内膜和外膜模糊甚至破裂,大多数嵴模糊,出现空泡现象;细胞核解体,基质外溢。研究表明, 不同浓度的NaCl胁迫对宁夏枸杞叶片和幼根细胞的显微及超微结构影响不同,NaCl浓度大于200 mmol/L时,宁夏枸杞叶片和幼根细胞的显微及超微结构发生了明显变化,且叶肉细胞中线粒体的变化没有叶绿体的变化显著,推测叶肉细胞中线粒体的耐盐性比叶绿体强。     

Intracellular position of mitochondria in mesophyll cells differs between C<Subscript>3</Subscript> and C<Subscript>4</Subscript> grasses

In C₃ plants, part of the CO₂ fixed during photosynthesis in chloroplasts is released from mitochondria during photorespiration by decarboxylation of glycine via glycine decarboxylase (GDC), thereby reducing photosynthetic efficiency. The apparent positioning of most mitochondria in the interior (vacuole side of chloroplasts) of mesophyll cells in C₃ grasses would increase the efficiency of refixation of CO₂ released from mitochondria by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/?oxygenase (Rubisco) in chloroplasts. Therefore, in mesophyll cells of C₄ grasses, which lack both GDC and Rubisco, the mitochondria ought not to be positioned the same way as in C₃ mesophyll cells. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the intracellular position of mitochondria in mesophyll cells of 14 C₄ grasses of different C₄ subtypes and subfamilies (Chloridoideae, Micrairoideae, and Panicoideae) and a C₃–C₄ intermediate grass, Steinchisma hians, under an electron microscope. In C₄ mesophyll cells, most mitochondria were positioned adjacent to the cell wall, which clearly differs from the positioning in C₃ mesophyll cells. In S. hians mesophyll cells, the positioning was similar to that in C₃ cells. These results suggest that the mitochondrial positioning in C₄ mesophyll cells reflects the absence of both GDC and Rubisco in the mesophyll cells and the high activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. In contrast, the relationship between the mitochondrial positioning and enzyme distribution in S. hians is complex, but the positioning may be related to the capture of respiratory CO₂ by Rubisco. Our study provides new possible insight into the physiological role of mitochondrial positioning in photosynthetic cells.     

Photochemical Characteristics of Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Chloroplasts from C4 Plants

Mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts were isolated by differential grinding from the leaves of two NADP-ME C₄ plants, Setaria italica Beauv. cv. H-1, Pennisetum typhoides S & H. cv. AKP-2, and a NAD-ME C₄ species Amaranthus paniculatus L. The mesophyll chloroplasts of C₄ plants possessed slightly lower K_m for ADP and Pi than those of bundle sheath chloroplasts. The Hill reaction activities and noncyclic photophosphorylation rates of the bundle sheath chloropiasts from S. italica and P. typhoides were less than one-fifth of those by the mesophyll chloroplasts. But the bundle sheath chloroplasts of A. paniculatus exhibited high rates of Hill reaction, cyclic as well as noncyclic photophosphorylation. The pigment- and eyiochrome composition suggested a relative enrichment of PS 1 in bundle sheath chloroplasts of S. italica and P. typhoides. The chain exists in both mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts. As much as 35–52% of leaf chlorophyll was located in the bundle sheath chloroplasts. The photochemical activities of bundle sheath chloroplasts are significant though a major part of leaf photochemical potential is associated with the mesophyll chloroplasts.     

A comparative immunocytochemical localization study of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in leaves of higher plants

The intracellular localization of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase in plants belonging to the C₄, Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and C₃ types was invetigated using an immunocytochemical method with an immune serum raised against the sorghum leaf enzyme. The plants studied were sorghum, maize (C₄ type), kalanchoe (CAM type), french bean, and spinach (C₃ type). In the green leaves of C₄ plants, it was shown that the carboxylase was located in the mesophyll and stomatic cells, being largely cytosolic in the mesophyll cells. Similarly, in CAM plants, the enzyme was found mainly outside the chloroplasts. In contrast, in C₃ plants, the PEP carboxylase appeared to be distributed between the cytosol and the chloroplasts of foliar parenchyma. Examination of sections from etiolated leaves showed fluorescence emission from etioplasts and cytosol for the parenchyma of french bean as well as for the bundle sheath and mesophyll of sorghum leaves. This data indicated that during the greening process photoregulation and evolution of PEP carboxylase is dependent on the tissue and on the metabolic type of the plant considered.Abbreviations CAM Crassulacean acid metabolism - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate     

Drought-induced senescence is characterized by a loss of antioxidant defences in chloroplasts

The relationship between drought, oxidative stress and leaf senescence was evaluated in field‐grown sage (Salvia officinalis L.), a drought‐susceptible species that shows symptoms of senescence when exposed to stress. Despite the photoprotection conferred by the xanthophyll cycle, drought‐stressed senescing leaves showed enhanced lipid peroxidation, chlorophyll loss, reduced photosynthetic activity and strong reductions of membrane‐bound chloroplastic antioxidant defences (i.e. β‐carotene and α‐tocopherol), which is indicative of oxidative stress in chloroplasts. H₂O₂ accumulated in drought‐stressed senescing leaves. Subcellular localization studies showed that H₂O₂ accumulated first in xylem vessels and the cell wall and later in the plasma membrane of mesophyll cells, but not in chloroplasts, indicating reactive oxygen species other than H₂O₂ as direct responsible for the oxidative stress observed in the chloroplasts of drought‐stressed senescing leaves. The strong degradation of β‐carotene and α‐tocopherol suggests an enhanced formation of singlet oxygen as the putative reactive oxygen species responsible for oxidative stress to senescing chloroplasts. This study demonstrates that oxidative stress in chloroplasts mediates drought‐induced leaf senescence in sage growing in Mediterranean field conditions.     

Comparison of CAM expression,photochemistry and antioxidant responses in Sedum album and Portulaca oleracea under combined stress

Previous studies of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway during stress have been directed at individual drought and salinity stress, here, we studied the effects of a combination of drought and salt on CAM expression, chlorophyll fluorescence and antioxidant parameters in the C₃-CAM facultative Sedum album and C₄-CAM facultative Portulaca oleracea plants. While salinity alone was not able to induce functional CAM expression in P. oleracea leaves, we showed that salinity induced low level of nocturnal acid accumulation in S. album species. After 20 d of exposure to the combination of simultaneous salt and drought stress, P. oleracea plants exhibited more resistance to photoinhibition as compared to S. album plants. The decrease of maximum quantum yield (F_v/F_m) in S. album leaves under combined stress was in parallel with the largest suppression of CAM expression of >50%, probably displaying the withdrawal of functional CAM back to C₃ pathway. However, under drought treatment alone, S. album plants exhibited higher photosynthetic flexibility, which was associated with the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes activities and maintenance of glutathione (GSH) pool, and consequently higher photochemical functioning. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) correlated well with CAM expression, which was observed only in S. album, suggesting that NO acts in a different way in C₃ and C₄ species during CAM induction. Additionally, in both species, over the course of CAM induction, the changes in CAM expression parameters exhibited a similar pattern to that of antioxidant capacity and photochemical functioning parameters.     

In-situ immunofluorescent localization of phosphoenolpyruvate and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylases in leaves of C3, C4, and C3−C4 intermediatePanicum species

The in-situ inter- and intracellular localization patterns of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylases in green leaves of severalPanicum species were investigated using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Four species were examined and compared:P. miliaceum (C₄),P. bisulcatum (C₃), andP. decipiens andP. milioides (C₃–C₄ intermediates which have Kranz-like leaf anatomy and reduced photorespiration). In the C₄ Panicum, PEP carboxylase was located in the cytosol of the mesophyll cells and RuBP carboxylase was restricted to the bundle-sheath chloroplasts. In contrast, in the C₃ Panicum species, PEP carboxylase was found throughout the leaf chlorenchyma, in both the cytosol and chloroplasts, and RuBP carboxylase was located in the chloroplasts. For the C₃–C₄ intermediate plants, the patterns depended on the species examined. ForP. decipiens, the in-situ localization of both carboxylases was similar to that described forP. bisulcatum and other C₃ plants. However, inP. milioides, PEP carboxylase was found exclusively in the cytosol of the mesophyll cells, as inP. miliaceum and other C₄ species, whereas RuBP carboxylase was distributed in both the mesophyll and bundle-sheath chloroplasts.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - RuBP ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate     

松叶猪毛菜NADP-苹果酸酶基因家族及启动子克隆分析北大核心CSCD

NADP-苹果酸酶(NADP-ME)是C_(4)植物的关键光合酶,在生物和非生物胁迫中发挥了重要的作用。为了进一步研究该酶编码基因的功能,该研究以典型荒漠C_(3)-C_(4)中间型植物松叶猪毛菜为研究对象,在克隆得到NADP-ME家族基因序列的基础上,研究其表达部位及在非生物胁迫下的表达模式,并克隆其启动子序列分析响应非生物胁迫的元件差异。结果表明:(1)成功获得松叶猪毛菜3个NADP-MEs,命名为SaNADP-ME1、SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4,CDS序列长度分别为1755、1758和1941 bp。(2)SaNADP-ME1主要在根中表达,SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4主要在叶中表达;在ABA、NaCl、NAHCO_(3)和PEG_(6000)胁迫下松叶猪毛菜幼苗中3个NADP-MEs均可被诱导表达,且SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4的响应表达模式相似。(3)成功克隆得到SaNADP-ME1、SaNADP-ME2和SaNADP-ME4启动子区域2351、1655和2887 bp。生物信息学分析发现它们都含有基本启动子元件以及响应外界刺激的元件。     

Leaf responses to drought stress in Mediterranean accessions of Solanum lycopersicum: anatomical adaptations in relation to gas exchange parameters

In a previous study, important acclimation to water stress was observed in the Ramellet tomato cultivar (TR) from the Balearic Islands, related to an increase in the water‐use efficiency through modifications in both stomatal (g_s) and mesophyll conductances (g_m). In the present work, the comparison of physiological and morphological traits between TR accessions grown with and without water stress confirmed that variability in the photosynthetic capacity was mostly explained by differences in the diffusion of CO₂ through stomata and leaf mesophyll. Maximization of g_m under both treatments was mainly achieved through adjustments in the mesophyll thickness and porosity and the surface area of chloroplasts exposed to intercellular airspace (S_c). In addition, the lower g_m/S_c ratio for a given porosity in drought‐acclimated plants suggests that the decrease in g_m was due to an increased cell wall thickness. Stomatal conductance was also affected by drought‐associated changes in the morphological properties of stomata, in an accession and treatment‐dependent manner. The results confirm the presence of advantageous physiological traits in the response to drought stress in Mediterranean accessions of tomato, and relate them to particular changes in the leaf anatomical properties, suggesting specific adaptive processes operating at the leaf anatomical level.     

Photosynthesis of Grass Species Differing in Carbon Dioxide Fixation Pathways : VIII. Ultrastructural Characteristics of Panicum Species in the Laxa Group

Ultrastructural studies of leaves of seven Panicum species in or closely related to the Laxa group and classified as C₃, C₄ or C₃-C₄ intermediate were undertaken to examine features associated with C₃ and C₄ photosynthesis. The C₃ species Panicum rivulare Trin. had few organelles in bundle sheath cell profiles (2 chloroplasts, 1.1 mitochondria, and 0.3 peroxisomes per cell section) compared to an average of 10.6 chloroplasts, 17.7 mitochondria, and 3.2 peroxisomes per bundle sheath cell profile for three C₃-C₄ species, Panicum milioides Nees ex Trin., Panicum decipiens Nees ex Trin. and Panicum schenckii Hack. However, two other C₃ species, Panicum laxum Sw. and Panicum hylaeicum Mez, contained about 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3 as many chloroplasts, mitochondria, and peroxisomes, respectively, as in bundle sheath cell profiles of the C₃-C₄ species. Chloroplasts and mitochondria in bundle sheath cells were larger than those in mesophyll cells for the C₄ species Panicum prionitis Griseb. and the C₃-C₄ species, but in C₃ species the organelles were similar in size or were smaller in the bundle sheath cells. The C₃-C₄ species and P. laxum and P. hylaeicum exhibited an unusually close association of organelles in bundle sheath cells with mitochondria frequently surrounded in profile by chloroplasts. The high concentrations in bundle sheath cells of somewhat larger organelles than in mesophyll cells correlates with the reduced photorespiration of the C₃-C₄ species.     

C4-Dicarboxylic acid metabolism in bundle-sheath chloroplasts,mitochondria and strands of Eriochloa borumensis Hack., a phosphoenolpyruvate-carboxykinase type C4 species

C₄-acid metabolism by isolated bundlesheath chloroplasts, mitochondria and strands of Eriochloa borumensis Hack., a phosphoennolpyruvate-carboxykinase (PEP-CK) species, was investigated. Aspartate, oxaloacetate (OAA) and malate were decarboxylated by strands with several-fold stimulation upon illumination. There was strictly light-dependent decarboxylation of OAA and malate by the chloroplasts, but the chloroplasts did not decarboxylate aspartate in light or dark. PEP was a primary product of OAA or malate decarboxylation by the chloroplasts and its formation was inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea or NH₄Cl. There was very little conversion of PEP to pyruvate by bundle-sheath chloroplasts, mitochondria or strands. Decarboxylation of the three C₄-acids by mitochondria was light-independent. Pyruvate was the only product of mitochondrial metabolism of C₄-acids, and was apparently transaminated in the cytoplasm since PEP and alanine were primarily exported out of the bundle-sheath strands. Light-dependent C₄-acid decarboxylation by the chloroplasts is suggested to be through the PEP-CK, while the mitochondrial C₄-acid decarboxylation may proceed through the NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) system. In vivo both aspartate and malate are considered as transport metobolites from mesophyll to bundle-sheath cells in PEP-CK species. Aspartate would be metabolized by the mitochondria to OAA. Part of the OAA may be converted to malate and decarboxylated through NAD-ME, and part may be transported to the chloroplasts for decarboxylation through PEP-CK localized in the chloroplasts. Malate transported from mesophyll cells may serve as carboxyl donor to chloroplasts through the chloroplastic NAD-malate dehydrogenase and PEP-CK. Bundle-sheath strands and chloroplasts fixed ¹⁴CO₂ at high rates and exhibited C₄-acid-dependent O₂ evolution in the light. Studies with 3-mercaptopicolinic acid, a specific inhibitor of PEP-CK, have indicated that most (about 70%) of the OAA formed from aspartate is decarboxylated through the chloroplastic PEP-CK and the remaining (about 30%) OAA through the mitochondrial NAD-ME. Pyruvate stimulation of aspartate decarboxylation is discussed; a pyruvate-alanine shuttle and an aspartate-alanine shuttle are proposed between the mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells during aspartate decarboxylation through the PEP-CK and NAD-ME system respectively.Abbreviations CK carboxykinase - -Kg -ketoglutarate - ME malic enzyme - 3-MPA 3-mercaptopicolinic acid - OAA oxaloacetate - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - R5P ribose-5-phosphate