Carbohydrates and carbohydrate enzymes in developing cotton ovules

Patterns of carbohydrates and carbohydrate enzymes were investigated in developing cotton ovules to establish which of these might be related to sink strength in developing bolls. Enzymatic analysis of extracted tissue indicated that beginning 1 week following anthesis, immature cotton seeds (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 100A glandless) accumulated starch in the tissues which surround the embryo. Starting at 15 days post anthesis (DPA), this starch was depleted and starch simultaneously appeared in the embryo. Sucrose entering the tissues surrounding the embryo was rapidly degraded, apparently by sucrose synthase; the free hexose content of these tissues reached a peak at about 20 DPA. During the first few weeks of development these tissues contained substantial amounts of hexose but little sucrose; the reverse was true for cotton embryos. Embryo sucrose content rose sharply from the end of the first week until about 20 DPA; it then remained roughly constant during seed maturation. Galactinol synthase (EC 2.4.1.x) appeared in the embryos approximately 25 days after flowering. Subsequently, starch disappeared and the galactosides raffinose and stachyose appeared in the embryo. Except near maturity, sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) activity in the embryos predominated over that of both sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) and acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26). Activities of the latter enzymes increased during the final stages of embryo maturation. The ratio of sucrose synthase to sucrose phosphate synthase was found to be high in young cotton embryos but the ratio reversed about 45 DPA, when developing ovules cease being assimilate sinks. Insoluble acid invertase was present in developing cotton embryos, but at very low activities; soluble acid invertase was present at significant activities only in nearly mature embryos. From these data it appears that sucrose synthase plays an important role in young cotton ovule carbohydrate partitioning and that sucrose phosphate synthase and the galactoside synthesizing enzymes assume the dominant roles in carbohydrate partitioning in nearly mature cotton seeds. Starch was found to be an important carbohydrate intermediate during the middle stages of cotton ovule development and raffinose and stachyose were found to be important carbohydrate pools in mature cotton seeds.     

Carbohydrate metabolism in growing rice seedlings under arsenic toxicity

We studied in the seedlings of two rice cultivars (Malviya-36 and Pant-12) the effect of increasing levels of arsenic in situ on the content of sugars and the activity of several enzymes of starch and sucrose metabolism: alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2), starch phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1), acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26), sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14). During a growth period of 10-20 d As2O3 at 25 and 50 microM in the growth medium caused an increase in reducing, non-reducing and total soluble sugars. An increased conversion of non-reducing to reducing sugars was observed concomitant with As toxicity. The activities of alpha-amylase, beta-amylase and sucrose phosphate synthase declined, whereas starch phosphorylase, acid invertase and sucrose synthase were found to be elevated. Results indicate that in rice seedlings arsenic toxicity causes perturbations in carbohydrate metabolism leading to the accumulation of soluble sugars by altering enzyme activity. Sucrose synthase possibly plays a positive role in synthesis of sucrose under As-toxicity.     

Sugar metabolism in developing lupin seeds is affected by a short-term water deficit

A short-term water deficit (WD) imposed during the pre-storage phase of lupin seed development [15-22 d after anthesis (DAA)] accelerated seed maturation and led to smaller and lighter seeds. During seed development, neutral invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) have a central role in carbohydrate metabolism. Neutral invertase is predominant during early seed development (up to 40 DAA) and sucrose synthase during the growing and storage phase (40-70 DAA). The contribution of acid invertase is marginal. WD decreased sucrose synthase activity by 2-fold and neutral invertase activity by 5-6-fold. These changes were linked to a large decrease in sucrose ( approximately 60%) and an increase of the hexose:sucrose ratio. Rewatering restored sucrose synthase activity to control levels while neutral invertase activity remained depressed (30-60%). A transient accumulation of starch observed in control seeds was abolished by WD. Despite the several metabolic changes the final seed composition was largely unaltered by WD except for approximately 60% increase in stachyose and raffinose (raffinose family oligosaccharides). This increase in raffinose family oligosaccharides appears as the WD imprinting on mature seeds.     

Sucrose and fructan metabolism in wheat roots at chilling temperatures

Sucrose and fructan metabolism were studied in wheat ( Triticuin aotiirum L. cv. Tribal 800) roots during a period at chilling temperature. Enzyme activities related to fructan and sucrose metabolism were measured. Sucrose-sucrose fructosyl transfer-ase (EC 2.4.1.99) activity increased more than 25-fold when plants were cooled to 4°C. Sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose-phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) activities also increased, but low temperatures had no significant effect on invertaso (EC 3.2.1.26) or on fructan hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.26) activities. The accumulation pattern of fructan in roots was different to that in leaves. In roots chilling stimulated the synthesis of fructans of high degree of polymerization.     

Analysis of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and cellular contents of sugars and proteins during spruce somatic embryogenesis suggests a regulatory role of exogenous sucrose in embryo development.

Carbohydrate metabolism was investigated during spruce somatic embryogenesis. During the period of maintenance corresponding to the active phase of embryogenic tissue growth, activities of soluble acid invertase and alkaline invertase increased together with cellular glucose and fructose levels. During the same time, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity increased while sucrose synthase (SuSy) activity stayed constant together with the cellular sucrose level. Therefore, during maintenance, invertases were thought to generate the hexoses necessary for embryogenic tissue growth while SuSy and SPS would allow cellular sucrose to be kept at a constant level. During maturation on sucrose-containing medium, SuSy and SPS activities stayed constant whereas invertase activities were high during the early stage of maturation before declining markedly from the second to the fifth week. This decrease of invertase activities resulted in a decreased hexose:sucrose ratio accompanied by starch and protein deposition. Additionally, carbohydrate metabolism was strongly modified when sucrose in the maturation medium was replaced by equimolar concentrations of glucose and fructose. Essentially, during the first 2 weeks, invertase activities were low in tissues growing on hexose-containing medium while cellular glucose and fructose levels increased. During the same period, SuSy activity increased while the SPS activity stayed constant together with the cellular sucrose level. This metabolism reorganization on hexose-containing medium affected cellular protein and starch levels resulting in a decrease of embryo number and quality. These results provide new knowledge on carbohydrate metabolism during spruce somatic embryogenesis and suggest a regulatory role of exogenous sucrose in embryo development.     

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.     

Changes in invertase activities precede ovary growth induced by gibberellic acid in

Developing pods of pea ( Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska no 7) were used to study the enzymes of sucrose metabolism. Acid and neutral invertase (EC 3.2.1.26). sucrose synthase (SS, EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS, EC 2.4.1.14) have been localized in the soluble fraction. Acid invertase activity was also present in the insoluble fraction and in pea ovary apoplast. In pea pods, sucrose breakdown was dominated by the invertase pathway. SS specific activity only increased at late stages of parthenocarpic pod development, while SPS did so in pods obtained by pollination. Changes in time course of invertase activities have been correlated with the growth rate of fruits induced to develop either by fertilization or by exogenous application of giberellic acid (GA), 2,4-dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) or 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP). The soluble neutral activities might be associated with pod elongation, while the acid ones were rather related to assimilate import by the induced fruits. Application of gibberellic acid to non-pollinated ovaries significantly enhanced the soluble neutral invertase activity before any ovary outgrowth was detected (up to 2 h after treatment). Within the same period of time. GA-treated ovaries showed a decrease in the acid invertase activity of the soluble fraction and an increase of the acid invertase activity in the apopiast. preceding in time the increment of the acid invertase activity associated with the insoluble fraction. Our results suggest that the early GA response may be mediated through a promotion of processes of protein secretion.     

Sucrose‐cleaving enzymes and carbohydrate pools in Lilium longiflorum floral organs

The activities of soluble invertase (EC 3.2.1.26), cell wall invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) were determined in Easter lily ( Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. Nellie White) floral organs during flower development. These enzyme activities were correlated with dry weight gains and carbohydrate pools to investigate the importance of their expression in maintaining sink strength of floral organs. In the early stages of flower bud development, anthers exhibited the highest rates of dry weight gain and activity of sucrolytic enzymes. Once anther growth was completed, the dry weight gain of tepal, filament, stigma and style increased with a concomitant increase in hexose concentrations and invertase activity. Although all three enzymes capable of catalyzing sucrose cleavage were present in every flower organ of L. longiflorum , soluble invertase was the predominant enzyme in all flower organs except stigma where cell wall invertase dominated. Soluble invertase activity was highly correlated with dry weight gain in most of the flower organs.     

Soluble sugar content of white spruce (Picea glauca) seeds during and after germination

In white spruce ( Picea glauca [Moench.] Voss.) seeds, the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) provide carbon reserves for the early stages of germination prior to radicle protrusion. Some seedlots contain seeds that are dormant, failing to complete germination under optimal conditions. Since dormancy may be imposed through a metabolic block in reserve mobilization, the goal of this project was to identify any impediment to RFO mobilization in dormant relative to nondormant seeds. Desiccated seeds contain primarily, and in order of abundance on a molar basis, sucrose and the first 3 members of the RFOs, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose. Upon radicle protrusion at 25°C, the contents of RFOs decreased to low amounts in all seed parts, regardless of prior dormancy status and sucrose was metabolized to glucose and fructose, which increased in seed parts. During moist chilling at 4°C, RFO content initially decreased before stabilizing and then increasing. In seeds that did not complete germination, the synthesis of RFOs at 4°C favored verbascose, so that at the end of 14 (nondormant) or 35 (dormant) weeks, verbascose contents in megagametophytes exceeded the amount initially present in the desiccated seed. This was also true in the embryos of the dormant seedlot. In seed parts from both seedlots after months of moist chilling, stachyose amounts exceeded raffinose amounts. Upon radicle protrusion at 4°C, RFO contents decreased to amounts most similar to those present in seeds that completed germination at 25°C. Hence, the RFOs are utilized as a source of energy, regardless of the temperature at which white spruce seeds complete germination. Based on the similarity of sugar contents in seed parts between dormant and nondormant seeds that did not complete germination, differences in sugar metabolism are probably not the basis of dormancy in white spruce seeds.     

Dynamic characteristics of sugar accumulation and related enzyme activities in sweet and non-sweet watermelon fruits

Sugar content largely determines watermelon fruit quality. We compared changes in sugar accumulation and activities of carbohydrate enzymes in the flesh (central portion) and mesocarp of elite sweet watermelon line 97103 (Citrullus lanatus subsp. vulgaris) and exotic non-sweet line PI296341-FR (C. lanatus subsp. lanatus) to elucidate the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of sugar accumulation in watermelon fruit. The major translocated sugars, raffinose and stachyose, were more unloaded into sweet watermelon fruit than non-sweet fruit. During the fruit development, acid α-galactosidase activity was much higher in flesh of 97103 than in mesocarp of 97103, in flesh and mesocarp of PI296341-FR fruit. Insoluble acid invertase activity was higher in 97103 flesh than in 97103 mesocarp, PI296341-FR flesh or mesocarp from 18 days after pollination (DAP) to 34 DAP. Changes in soluble acid invertase activity in 97103 flesh were similar to those in PI296341-FR flesh and mesocarp from 18 DAP to full ripening. Sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase activities in 97103 flesh were significantly higher than those in 97103 mesocarp and PI296341-FR fruits from 18 to 34 DAP. Only insoluble acid invertase and sucrose phosphate synthase activities were significantly positively correlated with sucrose content in 97103 flesh. Therefore, phloem loading, distribution and metabolism of major translocated sugars, which are controlled by key sugar metabolism enzymes, determine fruit sugar accumulation in sweet and non-sweet watermelon and reflect the distribution diversity of translocated sugars between subspecies.     

Enzymes of sucrose breakdown in soybean nodules: alkaline invertase

The specific activities of acid and alkaline invertases (β-d-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26), sucrose synthase (UDPglucose: d-fructose 2-α-d-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.13), hexokinase (ATP: d-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1), and fructokinase (ATP: d-fructose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.4) were determined in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr cv Williams) nodules at different stages of development and, for comparison, in roots of nonnodulated soybeans. Alkaline invertase and sucrose synthase were both involved in sucrose metabolism in the nodules, but there was only a small amount of acid invertase present. The nodules contained more phosphorylating activity with fructose than glucose. Essentially all of the alkaline invertase, sucrose synthase, and fructokinase were in the soluble fraction of nodule extracts whereas hexokinase was in the bacteroid, plant particulate, and soluble fractions.     

乙酰水杨酸在番茄果实发育期间对蔗糖代谢相关酶活性的影响

研究不同浓度乙酰水杨酸(ASA)对番茄品种‘辽园多丽’果实发育期间蔗糖代谢相关酶影响的结果表明:ASA可抑制果实的维管束和胶质胎座中酸性转化酶(AI)和中性转化酶(NI)活性,而提高蔗糖合成酶(SS)与蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)活性;心室隔壁和中果肉中ASA的作用与此相反。ASA促进果实维管束中可溶性糖积累主要通过调控AI和NI活性实现,而在胶质胎座中主要通过调控SS活性实现;在中果肉和心室隔壁中主要通过调控SS和AI活性实现。     

Effect of hydro- and osmopriming of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds on enzymes of sucrose and nitrogen metabolism in nodules

Three year data on the effect of water- and mannitol (4%) priming of chickpea seeds (12 h at 25°C) showed higher number and biomass of nodules in the plants from primed seeds than from non-primed seeds. The biomass of nodules increased to 75 DAS but decreased by 90 DAS. Activities of sucrose metabolism enzymes (sucrose synthase (SS) and alkaline invertase) and of nitrogen metabolism (glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)) in nodules of primed and non-primed crops during development are reported. SS and alkaline invertase activities increased to 70 DAS and then decreased. In primed plants, the higher SS activity in nodules at 60 and 70 DAS might be responsible for providing more energy and carbon skeleton for nitrogen fixation and for ammonium assimilation in primed plants. At 85 DAS, though the SS activity decreased in comparison with the earlier growth stages, it was still higher in nodules of the primed crops than the non-primed crop. Activity of alkaline invertase was maximum at 70 DAS in the nodules of primed and non-primed crops. Priming increased nodule GS activity at 70 and 85 DAS. GOGAT activity was unaffected by priming but GDH activity was greater in nodules from primed crops at 50 DAS. Elevated SS and GS nodule activities in primed chickpeas might be responsible in increasing nodule biomass and metabolic activity thereby increasing seed fill.     

Changes in soluble carbohydrates and related enzymes induced by low temperature during early developmental stages of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seedlings

Low temperature represents one of the principal limitations in species distribution and crop productivity. Responses to chilling include the accumulation of simple carbohydrates and changes in enzymes involved in their metabolism. Soluble carbohydrate levels and invertase, sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose-6-phosphate synthase (SPS) and alpha-amylase activities were analysed in cotyledons and embryonic axes of quinoa seedlings grown at 5 degrees C and 25 degrees C in the dark. Significant differences in enzyme activities and carbohydrate levels were observed. Sucrose content in cotyledons was found to be similar in both treatments, while in embryonic axes there were differences. Invertase activity was the most sensitive to temperature in both organs; however, SS and SPS activities appear to be less stress-sensitive. Results suggest that 1) metabolism in germinating perispermic seeds would be different from endospermic seeds, 2) sucrose futile cycles would be operating in cotyledons, but not in embryonic axes of quinoa seedlings under our experimental conditions, 3) low temperature might induce different regulatory mechanisms on invertase, SS and SPS enzymes in both cotyledons and embryonic axes of quinoa seedlings, and 4) low temperature rather than water uptake would be mainly responsible for the changes observed in carbohydrate and related enzyme activities.     

Priming relieves dormancy in lettuce seeds independently of changes in osmotic constituents

The relationship was studied between germination and dormancy of lettuce seeds ( Lactuca sativa L. cv. Musette) and both soluble amino nitrogen metabolism and osmotic potential. Germination at 15°C in darkness coincided with a rise in the levels of free amino acids and total soluble amino nitrogen compounds and in the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS, EC nr. 6.3.1.2). In further experiments GS activity was used as indicator of soluble amino nitrogen metabolism. GS activity increased after the start of growth indicated by an increasing intolerance to desiccation. At 30°C seeds did not germinate, unless dormancy was broken beforehand during incubation at 2° or 15°C (priming). The alleviation of dormancy occurred much earlier than the rise in the activity of GS. Priming at 15°C in polyethylene glycol instead of water retarded the breaking of dormancy and at –1.28 MPa even stimulated the induction of secondary dormancy, but did not prevent a continued rise in the activity of GS. GS activity was also not reduced during induction of secondary dormancy by dehydration of primed seeds, which antagonized the beneficial effect of priming. Psychrometric measurements showed that osmotic potential (Ψ_π) of the seeds remained constant during prolonged priming in polyethylene glycol at 15°C. During incubation in water, Ψ_π increased both prior to and after the moment of germination to less negative values. It is concluded that changes in the level of dormancy in lettuce seeds occur independently of soluble amino nitrogen metabolism and of changes in Ψ_π.     

Characterization and distribution of invertase activity in developing maize (Zea mays) kernels

Invertase ( β -fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) activity in developing maize ( Zea mays L. inbred W64A) was separated into soluble and particulate forms. The particulate form was solubilized by treatment with 1 M NaCl or with other salts. However, CaCl₂ inhibited invertase activity, and neither detergents nor 0.5 M methyl mannoside were effective in solubilizing the invertase activity. The soluble and particulate invertases were both glycoproteins, both had pH optima of 5.0 and K_m values for sucrose of 2.83 and 1.84 m M , respectively. The apparent molecular weight of salt-solubilized invertase was 40 kDa. Gel filtration of the soluble invertase showed multiple peaks with apparent molecular weights ranging from 750 kDa to over 9 000 kDa. Histochemical staining of cell wall preparations for invertase activity suggested that the particulate invertase is associated with the cell wall. Also, nearly all the invertase activity was localized in the basal endosperm and pedicel tissues, which are sites of sugar transport. No invertase activity was found in the upper endosperm, the embryo or in the placento-chalazal tissue. In contrast, sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) activity was found primarily in the embryo and the upper endosperm, which are areas of active biosynthesis of storage compounds.     

Changes in the activities of carbon metabolizing enzymes with pod development in lentil (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lens culinaris</Emphasis> L.)

Activities of some key enzymes of carbon metabolism sucrose synthase, acid and alkaline invertase, phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase, malic enzyme and isocitrate dehydrogenase were investigated in relation to the carbohydrate status in lentil pods. Sucrose remained the dominant soluble sugar in the pod wall and seed, with hexoses (glucose and fructose) present at significantly lower levels. Sucrose synthase is the predominant sucrolytic enzyme in the developing seeds of lentil (Lens culinaris L.). Acid invertase was associated with pod elongation and showed little activity in seeds. Sucrose breakdown was dominated by alkaline invertase during the development of podwall, while both the sucrose synthase and alkaline invertase were active in the branch of inflorescence. A substantial increase of sucrolytic enzymes was observed at the time of maximum seed filling stage (10–20 DAF) in lentil seed. The pattern of activity of sucrose synthase highly paralleled the phase of rapid seed filling and therefore, can be correlated with seed sink strength. It seems likely that the fruiting structures of lentil utilize phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase for recapturing respired carbon dioxide. Higher activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme in the seed at the time of rapid seed filling could be effectively linked to the deposition of protein reserves.     

Carbohydrate Content and Enzyme Metabolism in Developing Canola Siliques

Little biochemical information is available on carbohydrate metabolism in developing canola (Brassica napus L.) silique (pod) wall and seed tissues. This research examines the carbohydrate contents and sucrose (Suc) metabolic enzyme activities in different aged silique wall and seed tissues during oil filling. The silique wall partitioned photosynthate into Suc over starch and predominantly accumulated hexose. The silique wall hexose content and soluble acid invertase activity rapidly fell as embryos progressed from the early- to late-cotyledon developmental stages. A similar trend was not evident for alkaline invertase, Suc synthase (SuSy), and Suc-phosphate synthase. Silique wall SuSy activities were much higher than source leaves at all times and may serve to supply the substrate for secondary cell wall thickening. In young seeds starch was the predominant accumulated carbohydrate over the sampled developmental range. Seed hexose levels dropped as embryos developed from the early- to midcotyledon stage. Hexose and starch were localized to the testa or liquid endosperm, whereas Suc was evenly distributed among seed components. With the switch to oil accumulation, seed SuSy activity increased by 3.6-fold and soluble acid invertase activity decreased by 76%. These data provide valuable baseline knowledge for the genetic manipulation of canola seed carbon partitioning.     

Sucrose Phosphate Synthase and Acid Invertase as Determinants of Sucrose Concentration in Developing Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruits

Fruits of orange-fleshed and green-fleshed muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were harvested at different times throughout development to evaluate changes in metabolism which lead to sucrose accumulation, and to determine the basis of differences in fruit sucrose accumulation among genotypes. Concentrations of sucrose, raffinose saccharides, hexoses and starch, as well as activities of the sucrose metabolizing enzymes sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) (EC 2.4.1.14), sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13), and acid and neutral invertases (EC 3.2.1.26) were measured. Sucrose synthase and neutral invertase activities were relatively low (1.7 ± 0.3 micromole per hour per gram fresh weight and 2.2 ± 0.2, respectively) and changed little throughout fruit development. Acid invertase activity decreased during fruit development, (from as high as 40 micromoles per hour per gram fresh weight) in unripe fruit, to undetectable activity in mature, ripened fruits, while SPS activity in the fruit increased (from 7 micromoles per hour per gram fresh weight) to as high as 32 micromoles per hour per gram fresh weight. Genotypes which accumulated different amounts of sucrose had similar acid invertase activity but differed in SPS activity. Our results indicate that both acid invertase and SPS are determinants of sucrose accumulation in melon fruit. However, the decline in acid invertase appears to be a normal function of fruit maturation, and is not the primary factor which determines sucrose accumulation. Rather, the capacity for sucrose synthesis, reflected in the activity of SPS, appears to determine sucrose accumulation, which is an important component of fruit quality.     

The role of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes in pear fruit that differ in sucrose accumulation

In the paper, the soluble sugar composition and activities of enzymes metabolizing sucrose: invertase (β-fructosidase, EC 3.2.1.26), sucrose synthase (SS; EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) were investigated during fruit development of two pear species: Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. ‘Yali’ and P. pyrifolia Nakai cv. ‘Aikansui’, characterized as low and high sucrose types, respectively. It was found that, at the end of fruit development of ‘Aikansui’, the level of sucrose was five times higher than in ‘Yali’ in the same period. It was coincident with the significantly higher activities of SS (synthesis) and SPS and lower activities of invertase (vacuolar and cell wall-bound acid invertase and neutral invertase). The high correlation was found between sucrose level and SS (synthesis) and SPS activities in ‘Aikansui’ pears.