高等植物葡萄糖-6- 磷酸脱氢酶与6- 磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的不同进化起源

葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶是植物戊糖磷酸途径中的两个关键酶。在克隆了水稻质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因OsG6PDH2和质体6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶基因Os6PGDH2基础上,分析比较了水稻胞质和质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的基因结构、表达特性和进化地位。结合双子叶模式植物拟南芥两种酶基因的分析结果,认为高等植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因在进化方式上截然不同,葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的胞质基因与动物和真菌等真核生物具有共同的祖先;6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶的胞质酶和质体酶基因都起源于原核生物的内共生。讨论了植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因可能的进化模式,为高等植物及质体的进化起源提供了新的资料。     

高等植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的不同进化起源

葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶是植物戊糖磷酸途径中的两个酶.在克隆了水稻质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因OsG6PDH2和质体6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶基因Os6PGDH2基础上,分析比较了水稻胞质和质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因的基因结构、表达特性和进化地位.结合双子叶模式植物拟南芥两种酶基因的分析结果,认为高等植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因在进化方式上截然不同,葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的胞质基因与动物和真菌等真核生物具有共同的祖先;6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶的胞质酶和质体酶基因都起源于原核生物的内共生.讨论了植物葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶与6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶基因可能的进化模式,为高等植物及质体的进化起源提供了新的资料.     

Aluminum resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) is associated with rapid, Al-induced changes in activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in root apices

We have investigated the effect of aluminum (Al) on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH; EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH; EC 1.1.1.44) isolated from 5-mm root apices of 4-day-old wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) cultivars differing in resistance to Al. Rapid increases in G6PDH and 6PGDH activities were observed in Al-resistant cultivars (PT741 and Atlas 66) during the first 10 h of treatment with 100 μ M Al, while no change in the activity of either enzyme was observed in Al-sensitive cultivars (Katepwa and Neepawa) during a 24-h exposure to Al. The Al-induced increases in enzyme activities observed in the Al-resistant PT741 appear to reflect an induction of protein synthesis since the increases were completely abolished by 1 m M cycloheximide. No differences in G6PDH and 6PGDH activities were observed between the Al-sensitive and the Al-resistant genotypes when Al was supplied in vitro. Under these conditions, an increase in Al concentration from 0 to 1.4 m M caused a gradual decrease in activity of both enzymes, irrespective of the Al-resistance of whole seedlings. Aluminum-sensitive and aluminum-resistant cultivars also differed in the rate and extent of accumulation of slowly-exchanging Al in 5-mm root apices. During the first 6 h of Al treatment, Al accumulation was only 10% more rapid in Katepwa than in PT741. After 24-h exposure, accumulation in the Al-sensitive Katepwa, was two-fold higher. A decline in Al accumulation in a slowly-exchanging compartment as well as a decrease in activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH were found in the Al-resistant PT741, when seedlings were transferred to Al-free treatment solutions after 16-h exposure to 100 μ M Al. These results suggest that rapid induction of G6PDH and 6PGDH in the Al-resistant line PT741 by Al may play a role in the mechanism of Al resistance, possibly by regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway.     

Aluminum resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) is associated with rapid, Al-induced changes in activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in root apices

We have investigated the effect of aluminum (Al) on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH; EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH; EC 1.1.1.44) isolated from 5-mm root apices of 4-day-old wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) cultivars differing in resistance to Al. Rapid increases in G6PDH and 6PGDH activities were observed in Al-resistant cultivars (PT741 and Atlas 66) during the first 10 h of treatment with 100 μ M Al, while no change in the activity of either enzyme was observed in Al-sensitive cultivars (Katepwa and Neepawa) during a 24-h exposure to Al. The Al-induced increases in enzyme activities observed in the Al-resistant PT741 appear to reflect an induction of protein synthesis since the increases were completely abolished by 1 m M cycloheximide. No differences in G6PDH and 6PGDH activities were observed between the Al-sensitive and the Al-resistant genotypes when Al was supplied in vitro. Under these conditions, an increase in Al concentration from 0 to 1.4 m M caused a gradual decrease in activity of both enzymes, irrespective of the Al-resistance of whole seedlings. Aluminum-sensitive and aluminum-resistant cultivars also differed in the rate and extent of accumulation of slowly-exchanging Al in 5-mm root apices. During the first 6 h of Al treatment, Al accumulation was only 10% more rapid in Katepwa than in PT741. After 24-h exposure, accumulation in the Al-sensitive Katepwa, was two-fold higher. A decline in Al accumulation in a slowly-exchanging compartment as well as a decrease in activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH were found in the Al-resistant PT741, when seedlings were transferred to Al-free treatment solutions after 16-h exposure to 100 μ M Al. These results suggest that rapid induction of G6PDH and 6PGDH in the Al-resistant line PT741 by Al may play a role in the mechanism of Al resistance, possibly by regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway.     

Effectors of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase of rat liver.

Summary The lower Vmax of 6PGDH with respect to G6PDH and its higher sensitivity to inhibition by NADPH, suggest the existence of an imbalance between the two dehydrogenases of the pentose phosphate pathway in rat liver. Possible modulators of these activities, particularly in relation with the inhibition by NADPH in physiological conditions, have been investigated. The results suggest that in both cases the inhibition by NADPH is strictly isosteric and that the relative affinities for the reduced and oxidized forms of the pyridine nucleotide are unaffected by glutathion, the intermediates of the pentose phosphate shunt or some divalent ions.Abbreviations G6PDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) - 6PGDH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44) On leave from the Instituto de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile.     

Coenzyme specificity of enzymes in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway of Gluconobacter oxydans

The coenzyme specificity of enzymes in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway of Gluconobacter oxydans was investigated. By investigation of the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) in the soluble fraction of G. oxydans, and cloning and expression of genes in Escherichia coli, it was found that both G6PDH and 6PGDH have NAD/NADP dual coenzyme specificities. It was suggested that the pentose phosphate pathway is responsible for NADH regeneration in G. oxydans.     

Coenzyme Specificity of Enzymes in the Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway of Gluconobacter oxydans

The coenzyme specificity of enzymes in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway of Gluconobacter oxydans was investigated. By investigation of the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) in the soluble fraction of G. oxydans, and cloning and expression of genes in Escherichia coli, it was found that both G6PDH and 6PGDH have NAD/NADP dual coenzyme specificities. It was suggested that the pentose phosphate pathway is responsible for NADH regeneration in G. oxydans.     

Pentose phosphate metabolism during dormancy breakage in Corylus avellana L.

Commercially obtained fruits of Corylus avellana exhibit the characteristic loss of dormancy of this seed following chilling under moist conditions. The activities of cytosolic and organellar enzymes of pentose phosphate pathway in cotyledonary tissue were assayed throughout stratification and over a similar period in damp vermiculite at 20° C. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconic acid dehydrogenase (6PGDH) were both found in cytosolic extracts in all treatments; only 6PGDH was present in the organellar fraction.The enzyme activities monitored in seeds at 20° C remained relatively constant over the course of the investigation except in the case of cytosolic 6PGDH where it is suggested an inhibitor of the enzyme accumulated. This inhibitor was removed by the partial purification procedure. Increases in the activities of the enzymes occurred during stratification, the major increase coinciding exactly with dormancy breakage but prior to the initiation of germination. The marked increase in G6PDH and 6PGDH concurrent with the change in germination potential of the chilled seed may have considerable biochemical significance in breaking down the dormant state.Abbreviations G6P glucose-6-phosphate - G6PDH glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase - NADP nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - 6 PGDH 6-phosphogluconic acid dehydrogenase - PPP pentose phosphate pathway     

Changes in activity of glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase isozymes upon potato virus Y infection in tobacco leaf tissues and protoplasts

The changes in the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) (EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) (EC 1.1.1.44) in leaf tissues and the subcellular localisation of their isozymes in protoplasts derived from healthy and potato virus Y (PVY) infected plants of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun were determined. The activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH were markedly increased in virus-infected leaves during the acute phase of infection both in crude homogenate and partial purificate (when compared with the values found in healthy control plants) and correlated with the multiplication curve of PVY. Intact chloroplasts and soluble cytosolic proteins were obtained from whole plants upon the culmination of the multiplication curve of PVY and upon the enhancement of the activity of both dehydrogenases by means of differential centrifugation of broken protoplasts. The chloroplastic fraction from infected protoplasts (based on chlorophyll content or NADP⁺-triosephosphate dehydrogenase activity) showed an enhanced activity of G6PDH (1.81 times that of healthy protoplasts), and 6PGDH (1.77 times). Cytosol from infected protoplasts (based on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity) contained only slightly enhanced activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH (only 1.26 and 1.16 times, respectively).     

Uridine and cytidine nucleotide synthesis in renal hypertrophy: Biochemical differences in response to the growth stimulus of diabetes and unilateral nephrectomy

The effects of unilateral nephrectomy (UN) and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes on the activities of enzymes involved in uridine and cytidine synthesis in early renal growth (3–14 days after stimulus to growth) have been compared. Measurements were also made of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) and of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P), UDP-glucose, and glycogen, in relation to phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, ribonucleotide, and complex carbohydrate formation. There were striking differences in the activities of CTP synthetase, G6PDH, and 6PGDH in the two conditions, with a three-fold increase in all three enzymes at 3 and 5 days and a two-fold increase above basal values at 14 days of STZ diabetes. The UN group showed no significant change in CTP synthetase at any stage and the activity of G6PDH and 6PGDH only kept pace with renal growth. Changes in routes of uridine synthesis were less marked, with a more rapid rise in carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase (glutamine) and a lesser response of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase in the UN relative to the STZ-diabetic groups. The enzymes of complex II and of uracil phosphoribosyltransferase showed essentially similar patterns during renal hypertrophy in UN and STZ diabetes. The parallel increase in CTP synthetase, G6PDH, and 6PGDH in the kidney in diabetes, also known to increase in growth situations in hepatomas and in renal tumors, is discussed in relation to hormone signals involved in renal growth. The importance of the concentration of CTP, and thus of CTP synthetase, in the CTP-cytidyltransferase reaction, an enzyme with a high K_m for CTP, makes the present observation of the striking increase in CTP synthetase in STZ diabetes of particular interest in relation to phosphatidylcholine formation and hormone signal transduction.     

NADPH recycling systems in oxidative stressed pea nodules: a key role for the NADP<Superscript>+</Superscript>-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase

The symbiosis between legumes and rhizobia is characterised by the formation of dinitrogen-fixing root nodules. In natural conditions, nitrogen fixation is strongly impaired by abiotic stresses which generate over-production of reactive oxygen species. Since one of the nodule main antioxidant systems is the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, NADPH recycling that is involved in glutathione reduction is of great relevance under stress conditions. NADPH is mainly produced by glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH; EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH; EC 1.1.1.44) from the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and also by NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH; EC 1.1.1.42). In this work, 10 μM paraquat (PQ) was applied to pea roots in order to determine the in vivo relationship between oxidative stress and the activity of the NADPH-generating enzymes in nodules. Whereas G6PDH and 6PGDH activities remained unchanged, a remarkable induction of ICDH gene expression and a dramatic increase of the ICDH activity was observed during the PQ treatment. These results support that ICDH has a key role in NADPH recycling under oxidative stress conditions in pea root nodules.     

Variations in the kinetic behaviour of the NADPH-production systems in different tissues of the trout when fed on an amino-acid-based diet at different frequencies

We have studied the effects of feeding an amino-acid-based diet (ABD) at different frequencies upon growth and several NADPH-production systems in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The kinetic behavior of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), malic enzyme (ME) and NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-IDH) was followed in the liver, kidney and adipose tissue.The kinetic parameters of NADP-IDH alone remained unaltered by either ABD or changes in feeding frequency. Maximum-velocity and catalytic-efficiency values of hepatic G6PDH and ME increased significantly when fed four times a day compared to twice a day with both the control diet and ABD, although these parameters for ME were significantly lower with ABD than with the control diet at both frequencies. In the kidney the activity and catalytic efficiency of G6PDH and 6PGDH increased significantly with high-frequency feeding on ABD. The activities of these enzymes in adipose tissue were much lower than in hepatic tissue. In the liver, maximum velocity and the catalytic efficiency of G6PDH, 6PGDH and ME increased significantly with the control diet at high-frequency feeding whereas they decreased significantly with ABD, especially with high-frequency feeding. Neither the Michaelis constant nor the activity ratios varied.Both feeding frequency and free amino acid altered the activity of the most important cytosolic NADPH-production systems. The varying response to nutritional stimuli of NADP-linked enzymes in fish tissues shows that they have independent physiological and metabolic roles and that their regulatory mechanisms respond to changes in nutritional and metabolic factors.     

Pentose phosphate pathway flux analysis for glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin production during glucose-limited cultivation of Amycolatopsis orientalis

In vivo pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), and transaldolase (TAL) activities as well as ATP- and ADP-level variations of Amycolatopsis orientalis were investigated with respect to glucose concentration and incubation period. G6PDH, 6PGDH, and TAL activities of A. orientalis reached maximum levels at 48 hr for all glucose concentrations used, after which the levels began to decline. G6PDH, 6PGDH, and TAL activities showed positive correlation with the glucose concentration up to 15 g/L, while further increases had an opposite effect. Intracellular ATP level showed a positive correlation with glucose concentrations, while ADP level increased up to 15 g/L. ATP concentration of A. orientalis increased rapidly at 48 hr of incubation, as was the case also for G6PDH, 6PGDH, and TAL activities, although the incubation period corresponding to maximum values of ADP shifted to 60 hr. Production of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin increased with the increases in glucose concentrations up to 15 g/L, by showing coherence in the rates of oxidative and nonoxidative parts of the PPP.     

The histochemistry of developing adipocytes in primary stromal-vascular cultures of rat adipose tissue

Summary Histochemical analysis for NADP-dependent dehydrogenases, succinate dehydrogenase, NADH and NADPH-tetrazoleum reductases and esterase was conducted on primary cultures of adipose tissue stromal-vascular cells. Enzyme activities were restricted to clusters of lipid laden cells (adipocytes). The number of enzyme reactive adipocytes increased with length of culture. Coverslips were partially coated with collagen to allow comparisons of cell differentiation on coated (C-glass) and uncoated glass (U-glass) surface. There were no reactions for NADH- and NADPH-tetrazoleum reductases (TR) in cells on C-glass whereas adipocytes and stromal cells on U-glass were reactive. Glucose-6-phosphate (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate (6PGDH) dehydrogenase activities were markedly demonstrated in both stromal cells and adipocytes on U-glass. Malate (MDH) and isocitrate (ICDH) dehydrogenase activites were higher in adipocytes than in stromal cells on the U-glass. Stromal cells on C-glass were either devoid of these enzymes (G6PDH, MDH, 6PGDH, ICDH) or activity was restricted to a small area of the cytoplasm. There were two levels of staining intensity in (MDH, ICDH, G6PDH, 6PGDH) adipocyte clusters on C-glass.Elimination of phenazine methosulphate from the NADP-dependent dehydrogeanse medias and SDH media, caused a reduction in enzyme reactive adipocytes on the C-glass. This manipulation did not reduce the number of enzyme reactive cells on U-glass. Cells on C-glass and U-glass were distinctly different in esterase stained coverslips. These studies demonstrated enzyme histochemical reactions of adipocytes and stromal cells in primary culture that were dependent on the type of extracellular matrix. Furthermore, enzyme histochemistry was shown to be useful for delineating adipocytes from stromal cells in primary cultures.     

The role of NADPH in the regulation of glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases in rat adipose tissue

Summary Previous studies examining the regulation of the synthesis of G6PDH and 6PGDH in rat liver and adipose tissue have focused on the induction of these enzymes by different diets and some hormones. In rat liver these enzymatic activities seem to be regulated by a mechanism involving changes in the NADPH requirements. In this paper we have studied the effect of changes in the flux through different NADPH-consuming pathways on G6PDH and 6PGDH levels in adipose tissue and on the NADPH/NADP ratio. The results show that: I) an increase in the consumption of NADPH, caused by the activation of either fatty acid synthesis or detoxification systems which consume NADPH, is paralleled by an increase in the levels of these enzymes; II) when the increase in consumption of NADPH is prevented, the G6PDH and 6PGDH levels do not change.Abbreviations G6PDH Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase - 6PGDH 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase - GR Glutathione Reductase - ME Malic Enzyme - tBHP t-Butyl Hydroperoxide - NF Nitrofurantoin - CumOOH Cumene Hydroperoxide     

Nitrite reduction in barley-root plastids: Dependence on NADPH coupled with glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases,and possible involvement of an electron carrier and a diaphorase

Plastids from roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings were isolated by discontinuous Percoll-gradient centrifugation. Coinciding with the peak of nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.7.7.1, a marker enzyme for plastids) in the gradients was a peak of a glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P) and NADP⁺-linked nitrite-reductase system. High activities of phosphohexose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9) and phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.7.5.1) as well as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Glc6PDH; EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH; EC 1.1.1.44) were also present in the isolated plastids. Thus, the plastids contained an overall electron-transport system from NADPH coupled with Glc6PDH and 6PGDH to nitrite, from which ammonium is formed stoichiometrically. However, NADPH alone did not serve as an electron donor for nitrite reduction, although NADPH with Glc6P added was effective. Benzyl and methyl viologens were enzymatically reduced by plastid extract in the presence of Glc6P+ NADP⁺. When the plastids were incubated with dithionite, nitrite reduction took place, and ammonium was formed stoichiometrically. The results indicate that both an electron carrier and a diaphorase having ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase activity are involved in the electron-transport system of root plastids from NADPH, coupled with Glc6PDH and 6PGDH, to nitrite.Abbreviations Cyt cytochrome - Glc6P glucose-6-phosphate - Glc6PDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - MVH reduced methyl viologen - NiR nitrite reductase - 6PG 6-phosphogluconate - 6PGDH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase     

ACTIVATION OF HEXOSE MONOPHOSPHATE PATHWAY IN BRAIN BY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IN VITRO

Abstract— The incubation of cerebral cortical slices for 15 min in Krebs-Ringer-tris (pH 7.6) solution at 37°C with [1-¹⁴C]glucose or [6-¹⁴C]glucose as substrates yielded a C-1:C-6 ¹⁴CO₂ ratio of 1.21, whereas this ratio increased to 3.01 after the application of electrical stimulation (ES). Tissue levels of 6-phosphoglu-conate (6PG) and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P), intermediary metabolites of hexose monophosphate (HMP) pathway, were 7 and 180 nmol/g tissue following 15 min incubation, and increased by 33 and 45 per cent respectively following the application of ES. Activities of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH, 6-phospho- d -gluconate: NADP⁺ 2-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.44) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, d -glucose-6-phosphate: NADP⁺ 1-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49), important enzymes in regulating the activity of HMP pathway, in cerebral cortical slices were 689 and 907 pmol/mg protein/min and were increased by 66 and 25 per cent respectively by the application of ES. Synaptosomal G6PDH and 6PGDH activities were maximally activated by the addition of 40 m m -Na⁺ to the reaction mixture, whereas no activation by Na⁺ was observed in microsomal G6PDH and 6PGDH. Amobarbital inhibited more strongly the Embden–Meyerhof (EM) pathway than the HMP pathway, while imipramine had a stronger inhibitory effect on HMP pathway than on EM pathway in the electrically stimulated cerebral tissues.
The present results indicate that the HMP shunt pathway in the cerebral cortex is activated by the application of ES in vitro , possibly at synaptic regions and may play an important metabolic and functional role in the brain.     

Nitrate Reductase and Nitrite Reductase Activity in Dark-Grown Radish Seedlings: Relation to the Supply of NADPH

Functioning of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase was measured in intact cotyledons from radish seedlings (Raphanus sativus L.) grown in the dark in a nitrate medium. Reduction of nitrate to nitrate did proceed during the whole period of 45 h, whereas the reduction of nitrite in the intact cotyledons dropped abruptly between 20 and 23 h after exposing the roots to nitrate. The activity of the enzymes glucose-6-P dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-P-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), measured in cotyledon extracts, showed a sharp decline simultaneously with the drop in nitrite reductase activity of the intact cotyledons. It was concluded that the amount of NADPH generated by the enzymes G6PDH and 6PGDH is not sufficient to allow continuous functioning of nitrite reductase after 20 h in cotyledons of seedlings grown in the dark. Therefore, the results from our experiments point to the functioning of nitrite reductase as the rate limiting step in the reduction pathway of nitrate in the dark.