Enzymes of the Glycolytic and Pentose Phosphate Pathways in Proplastids from the Developing Endosperm of Ricinus communis L

The metabolism of sucrose to long chain fatty acids in the endosperm of developing castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) seeds requires a combination of cytosolic and proplastid enzymes. The total activity and the subcellular distribution of the intermediate enzymic steps responsible for the conversion of sucrose to pyruvate have been determined. Hexose phosphate synthesis from sucrose occurs in the cytosol along with the first oxidative step in the pentose phosphate pathway, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The proplastids contain the necessary complement of glycolytic enzymes to account for the in vivo rates of acetate synthesis from glucose 6-phosphate. These organelles also contain the majority of the cellular 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, transketolase, and transaldolase activities.     

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     

Isozymes of the glycolytic enzymes in endosperm from developing castor oil seeds

Ion filtration chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 has been used to separate two isozymes each of triose phosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerate 3-phosphate kinase, enolase, and phosphoglycerate mutase from homogenates of developing castor oil (Ricinus communis L. cv. Baker 296) seeds. Crude plastid fractions, prepared by differential centrifugation, were enriched in one of the isozymes, whereas the cytosolic fractions were enriched in the other. These data (and data published previously) indicate that plastids from developing castor oil seeds have a complete glycolytic pathway and are capable of conversion of hexose phosphate to pyruvate for fatty acid synthesis. The enzymes of this pathway in the plastids are isozymes of the corresponding enzymes located in the cytosol.     

Subcellular distribution of enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway in root and leaf tissues

The subcellular distribution of enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway was studied in plants. Root and leaf tissues from several species were separated by differential centrifugation into plastidic and cytosolic fractions. In all tissues studied, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were found in both plastidic and cytosolic compartments. In maize and pea root, and spinach and pea leaf, the non-oxidative enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway (transaldolase, transketolase, ribose 5-phosphate isomerase, ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase) appear to be restricted to the plastid. In tobacco leaf and root, however, the non-oxidative enzymes were found in the cytosolic as well as the plastidic compartments. In the absence of ribose 5-phosphate isomerase and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase in the cytosol, the product of the oxidative limb of the pathway (ribulose 5-phosphate) must be transported into a compartment capable of utilizing it. Ribulose 5-phosphate was supplied to isolated intact pea root plastids and was shown to be capable of supporting nitrite reduction. The kinetics of ribulose 5-phosphate-driven nitrite reduction in isolated pea root plastids suggested that the metabolite was translocated across the plastid envelope in a carrier-mediated transport process, indicating the presence of a translocator capable of transporting pentose phosphates.Keywords: Pentose phosphate, subcellular, plastid, ribulose 5-phosphate, compartmentation      

NAD+-specific glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from developing castor bean endosperm

l-Glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase has been isolated and partially purified from the endosperm of developing castor beans. The enzyme is entirely cytosolic and is not found in the plastid fraction. No activity was found in germinating castor beans. The pH optimum for the reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate is 8.1 and is 9.6 for the reverse reaction. The molecular weight determined by gel filtration chromatography is between 71,000 and 83,000. Both substrates show substrate inhibition at concentrations about 13 μm for NADH and 400 μm for dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Substrate interaction kinetics gave limiting K_m values of 2.7 and 35.5 μm for NADH and dihydroxyacetone phosphate, respectively. Substrate interaction and product inhibition kinetics were consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism with NADH being the first substrate to bind and NAD⁺ being the last product to dissociate.     

Evidence for the existence of a novel enzyme system. myo-Inositol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase in Phaseolus aureus.

A novel enzyme system, myo-inositol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase, has been isolated from germinating mung bean seeds. The dehydrogenation and cleavage of myo-inositol 1-phosphate by this enzyme leads to the synthesis of a pentose phosphate which appears to be ribulose 5-phosphate. The pH optimum of the enzyme is 8.6; NAD+ is required as coenzyme and no other nucleotides can replace NAD+. Mono- or divalent cations are not essential for the enzyme activity. Stoichiometry of the reaction suggests that 2 mol of NAD+ are reduced per mol of ribulose-5-P generated.     

The enzymes of the classical pentose phosphate pathway display differential activities in procyclic and bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei

The specific activities of each of the enzymes of the classical pentose phosphate pathway have been determined in both cultured procyclic and bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei. Both forms contained glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49), 6-phosphogluconolactonase (EC 3.1.1.31), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44), ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.6) and transaldolase (EC 2.2.1.2). However, ribulose-5-phosphate 3'-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.1) and transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) activities were detectable only in procyclic forms. These results clearly demonstrate that both forms of T. brucei can metabolize glucose via the oxidative segment of the classical pentose phosphate pathway in order to produce D-ribose-5-phosphate for the synthesis of nucleic acids and reduced NADP for other synthetic reactions. However, only procyclic forms are capable of using the non-oxidative segment of the classical pentose phosphate pathway to cycle carbon between pentose and hexose phosphates in order to produce D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate as a net product of the pathway. Both forms lack the key gluconeogenic enzyme, fructose-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11). Consequently, neither form should be able to engage in gluconeogenesis nor should procyclic forms be able to return any of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate produced in the pentose phosphate pathway to glucose 6-phosphate. This last specific metabolic arrangement and the restriction of all but the terminal steps of glycolysis to the glycosome may be the observations required to explain the presence of distinct cytosolic and glycosomal isoenzymes of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoglycerate kinase. These same observations also may provide the basis for explaining the presence of cytosolic hexokinase and phosphoglucose isomerase without the presence of any cytosolic phosphofructokinase activity. The key enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway, 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.12) and 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase (EC 4.1.2.14) were not detected in either procyclic or bloodstream forms of T. brucei.     

Localization of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity in Seeds and its Possible Involvement in Dormancy Breakage

A quantitative cytochemical analysis of glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase activity of deeply dormant seeds of Avena fatuashowed that although the enzyme activity is present in mostcell types of the embryo and seed, it is only in the embryothat activity is increased on treatment with GA₃ to break dormancy.This would appear to happen prior to any measurable embryonicaxis growth, and supports the idea that activation of the pentosephosphate pathway is an early event in dormancy break. A similar,though less marked, change occurred in less dormant seeds ofA. fatua, but could not be detected in dormant seeds of Lactucasaliva. Dry seeds of L. sativa and weakly dormant A. fatua containedtwice the activity seen in seeds imbibed with either water orGA₃, indicating that this might be a marker of low levels ofdormancy. Avena fatua, Lactuca sativa, seeds, dormancy, pentose phosphate pathway, cytochemistry, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase     

The pentose phosphate pathway of glucose metabolism. Enzyme profiles and transient and steady-state content of intermediates of alternative pathways of glucose metabolism in Krebs ascites cells

1. The pentose phosphate pathway in Krebs ascites cells was investigated for regulatory reactions. For comparison, the glycolytic pathway was studied simultaneously. 2. Activities of the pentose phosphate pathway enzymes were low in contrast with those of the enzymes of glycolysis. The K(m) values of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase for both substrate and cofactor were about four times the reported upper limit for the enzyme from normal tissues. Fructose 1,6-diphosphate and NADPH competitively inhibited 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. 3. About 28% of the hexokinase activity was in the particulate fraction of the cells. The soluble enzyme was inhibited by fructose 1,6-diphosphate and ribose 5-phosphate, but not by 3-phosphoglycerate. The behaviour of the partially purified soluble enzyme in vitro in a system simulating the concentrations of ATP, glucose 6-phosphate and P(i) found in vivo is reported. 4. Kinetics of metabolite accumulation during the transient state after the addition of glucose to the cells indicated two phases of glucose phosphorylation, an initial rapid phase followed abruptly by a slow phase extending into the steady state. 5. Of the pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, accumulation of 6-phosphogluconate, sedoheptulose 7-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate paralleled the accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate. Erythrose 4-phosphate reached the steady-state concentration by 2min., whereas the pentose phosphates accumulated linearly. 6. The mass-action ratios of the pentose phosphate pathway reactions were calculated. The transketolase reaction was at equilibrium by 30sec. and then progressively shifted away from equilibrium towards the steady-state ratio. The glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was far from equilibrium at all times. 7. Investigation of the flux of [(14)C]glucose carbon confirmed the existence of an operative pentose phosphate pathway in ascites cells, contributing 1% of the total flux in control cells and 10% in cells treated with phenazine methosulphate. 8. The pentose phosphate formed by way of the direct oxidative route and estimated from the (14)CO(2) yields represented 20% of the total accumulated pentose phosphate, the other 80% being formed by the non-oxidative reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway. 9. The pentose phosphate pathway appears to function as two separate pathways, both operating towards pentose phosphate formation. Control of the two pathways is discussed.     

Subcellular distribution of gluconeogenetic enzymes in germinating castor bean endosperm

The intracellular distribution of enzymes capable of catalyzing the reactions from oxaloacetate to sucrose in germinating castor bean endosperm has been studied by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. One set of glycolytic enzyme activities was detected in the plastids and another in the cytosol. The percentages of their activities in the plastids were less than 10% of total activities except for aldolase and fructose diphosphatase. The activities of several of the enzymes present in the plastids seem to be too low to account for the in vivo rate of gluconeogenesis whereas those in the cytosol are quite adequate. Furthermore, phosphoenolypyruvate carboxykinase, sucrose phosphate synthetase, and sucrose synthetase, which catalyze the first and final steps in the conversion of oxaloacetate to sucrose, were found only in the cytosol. It is deduced that in germinating castor bean endosperm the complete conversion of oxaloacetate to sucrose and CO₂ occurs in the cytosol. The plastids contain some enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, pyruvate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthetase in addition to the set of glycolytic enzymes. This suggests that the role of the plastid in the endosperm of germinating castor bean is the production of fatty acids from sugar phosphates, as it is known to be in the endosperm during seed development.     

Activation of the plastid isozyme of phosphofructokinase from developing endosperm of Ricinuscommunis by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate

The plastid isozyme of phosphofructokinase from developing castor oil seeds is stimulated by low concentrations of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate when assayed at pH 7.0. The stimulation involves a shift in fructose 6-phosphate kinetics from sigmoidal to near hyperbolic. The plastid isozyme is unaffected by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate when assayed at pH 8.0, and the cytosolic isozyme is unaffected at either pH 7.0 or 8.0. There is no interaction between fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and the other regulators of the $\text{Ricinus}$ phosphofructokinases; phosphoenolpyruvate, 2-phosphoglycerate, 3-phosphoglycerate and inorganic phosphate.     

In Vitro Inhibition of the Plastid and Cytosolic Isozymess of 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase from Developing Endosperm of Ricinus communis by Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate

Activities of the cytosolic and plastid isozymes of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from developing endosperm of Ricinus communis L. seeds were inhibited in vitro by hexosebisphosphates. Inhibition constants for glucose 1,6-bisphosphate were 221 and 209 micromolar for the cytosolic and plastid isozymes, respectively, and corresponding values for fructose 2,6-bisphosphate were 10.5 and 8.6 micromolar. In each case inhibition was of a mixed noncompetitive nature relative to 6-phosphogluconate. While the levels and distribution of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in castor oil seed endosperm cells are not yet known, the levels reported to occur in leaf cytosol would be high enough to significantly inhibit carbon flux through the pentosephosphate pathway due to inhibition of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity.     

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。     

Triacylglycerol synthesis in developing seeds of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea): pathway and properties of enzymes of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate formation

The enzymatic pathway for the synthesis of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate was investigated in developing groundnut seeds (Arachis hypogaea). Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was not detected in this tissue but an active glycerokinase was demonstrated in the cytosolic fraction. It showed an optimum pH at 8.6 and positive cooperative interactions with both glycerol and ATP. Triosephosphate isomerase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate phosphatase were observed mainly in the cytosolic fraction while an active glyceraldehyde reductase was found mainly in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. The glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate phosphatase showed specificity and positive cooperativity with respect to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. The glyceraldehyde reductase was active toward glucose and fructose but not toward formaldehyde and showed absolute specificity toward NADPH. It is concluded that in the developing groundnut seed, sn-glycerol 3-phosphate is synthesized essentially by the pathway dihydroxyacetone phosphate----glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate Pi----glyceraldehyde NADPH----glycerol ATP----glycerol 3-phosphate. All the enzymes of this pathway showed activity profiles commensurate with their participation in triacylglycerol synthesis which is maximal during the period 15-35 days after fertilization. Glycerokinase appears to be the rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway.     

水稻质体葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶基因的克隆与表达研究

戊糖磷酸途径是高等植物中重要的代谢途径,主要生理功能是产生NADPH以及供核酸代谢的磷酸戊糖。葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶（G6PDH）是戊糖磷酸途径的关键酶,广泛存在于高等植物细胞的细胞质和质体中。木研究首次从水稻（Oryza sativa L.）幼苗中分离了核编码的质体G6PDH基因OsG6PDH2,序列分析表明OsG6PDH2编码一个具有588个氨基酸残基的多肽,等电点为8．5,分子量66kDa。OsG6PDH2的N端有1个70个氨基酸的信号肽,推测的裂解位点为Gly55和Val56,表明OsG6PDH2编码产物可能定位于质体。多序列比较的结果表明OsG6PDH2与拟南芥、烟草、马铃薯质体G6PDH的一致性分别达81％、87％、83％。进化关系说明水稻OsG6PDH2与拟南芥（AtG6PDH3）、马铃薯（StG6PDH1）处于高等植物P2型质体G6PDH分支上,暗示了OsG6PDH2可能是一个P2型的质体蛋白。Matinspector程序分析表明,OsG6PDH2在起始密码子上游含有一个bZIP转录因子识别位点、一个ABA应答元件、一个CRT／DRE元件和1个W-box元件。半定量RT-PCR分析表明,OsG6PDH2在水稻根、茎、叶和幼穗组织中都呈低丰度组成型表达,在根部表达较高,在水稻幼苗中的表达显著受暗处理的诱导。将OsG6PDH2的完整开放阅读框构建到大肠杆菌表达载体pET30a（＋）中,pET30a（＋）-OsG6PDH2在大肠杆菌中得到了有效表达。酶活性测定证明,OsG6PDH2的编码产物具有葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的功能。     

Regulation of D-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

D-Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is a regulatory enzyme of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway in Schizasaccharomyces pombe. The enzyme is subject to negative cooperative regulation by D-glucose-6-phosphate as characterized by the Hill coefficient of 0.68 +/- 0.04. D-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and D-ribulose-5-phosphate rectify the negative cooperativity as evidenced from a change in the Hill coefficients to 0.98 +/- 0.05 and 1.02 +/- 0.05, respectively. These pentose phosphate pathway intermediates also inhibit the enzyme competitively with respect to D-glucose-6-phosphate. Thus, D-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase provides an avenue for regulating the partitioning of D-glucose between the redundant branches of the oxidative phosphate pathway in S. pombe.     

Cloning, biochemical characterisation, tissue localisation and possible post-translational regulatory mechanism of the cytosolic phosphoglucose isomerase from developing sunflower seeds

Lipid biosynthesis in developing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds requires reducing power. One of the main sources of cellular NADPH is the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP), generated from the oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate. This glycolytic intermediate, which can be imported to the plastid and enter in the OPPP, is the substrate and product of cytosolic phosphoglucose isomerase (cPGI, EC 5.3.1.9). In this report, we describe the cloning of a full-length cDNA encoding cPGI from developing sunflower seeds. The sequence was predicted to code for a protein of 566 residues characterised by the presence of two sugar isomerase domains. This cDNA was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as a His-tagged protein. The recombinant protein was purified using immobilised metal ion affinity chromatography and biochemically characterised. The enzyme had a specific activity of 1,436 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ and 1,011 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein when the reaction was initiated with glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate, respectively. Activity was not affected by erythrose-4-phosphate, but was inhibited by 6-P gluconate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. A polyclonal immune serum was raised against the purified enzyme, allowing the study of protein levels during the period of active lipid synthesis in seeds. These results were compared with PGI activity profiles and mRNA expression levels obtained from Q-PCR studies. Our results point to the existence of a possible post-translational regulatory mechanism during seed development. Immunolocalisation of the protein in seed tissues further indicated that cPGI is highly expressed in the procambial ring.     

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.     

The pentose phosphate pathway of glucose metabolism. Hormonal and dietary control of the oxidative and non-oxidative reactions and related enzymes of the cycle in adipose tissue

1. Measurements were made of the activities of the enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway concerned in both the oxidative (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) and the non-oxidative (ribose 5-phosphate isomerase, ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase, transketolase and transaldolase) reactions of this pathway, together with hexokinase and phosphoglucose isomerase, in adipose tissue in a variety of nutritional and hormonal conditions. 2. Starvation for 2 days caused a significant decrease in the activities of all the enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, with the exception of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, when expressed as activity/2 fat-pads; only the activities of ribose 5-phosphate isomerase and ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase were significantly decreased on the basis of activity/mg. of protein. Re-feeding with a high-carbohydrate or high-fat diet for 3 days restored the activity of all the enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway to the range of the control values, with the exception of transketolase, which showed a marked ;overshoot' in rats re-fed with carbohydrate. Starvation for 3 days caused a marked decrease in the activities of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and transketolase. 3. On the basis of activity/two fat-pads, alloxan-diabetes caused a marked decrease, to about half the control value, in the activities of all the enzymes concerned in the pentose phosphate pathway, transketolase showing the smallest decrease; hexokinase and phosphoglucose isomerase activities were also decreased. Treatment with insulin for 3 and 7 days raised the activities to normal or supranormal values, transketolase showing the most marked ;overshoot' effect. On the basis of activity/mg. of protein the activity of none of the enzymes was significantly decreased in alloxan-diabetes; transketolase and transaldolase activities were raised above the control values. With insulin treatment for 3 or 7 days the activities of all the enzymes were significantly increased, except that of ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase at the shorter time-interval. Glucagon treatment did not alter any of the enzyme activities expressed on either basis. 4. Thyroidectomy caused a decrease of 30-40% in the activities of enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, except for transketolase activity, which fell to 50% of the control value. Little change occurred in adipose-tissue weight or protein content. 5. Adrenalectomy caused a decrease of 40% in the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and of 20-30% in the activities of the remaining enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway; hexokinase activity was also decreased. Treatment with cortisone for 3 days did not significantly raise the activity from that found in adrenalectomized rats. Treatment of normal rats with high doses of cortisone had no significant effect on the activities of the enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway in adipose tissue. 6. The changes in enzyme activities are discussed in relation to: (a) the concept of constant-proportion groups of enzymes; (b) the known changes in the flux of glucose through alternative metabolic pathways; (c) the pattern of change found in liver with similar hormonal and dietary conditions.     

The metabolism of glucose by heterocysts and vegetative cells of Anabaena cylindrica

Whole filaments of autotrophically grown Anabaena cylindrica and heterocysts isolated from them will assimilate and metabolise exogenous glucose. Radiorespirometric experiments suggest the operation of the pentose phosphate pathway. Glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are present in heterocysts at 6–8 times the levels found in vegetative cells whereas enzymes of the reductive pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways are barely or not detectable. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in vegetative cells, but not in heterocysts is subject to inhibition by ribulose diphosphate.