Relationship between sucrose accumulation and activities of sucrose-phosphatase, sucrose synthase, neutral invertase and soluble acid invertase in micropropagated sugarcane plants

The activities of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SUSY), neutral invertase (NI) and soluble acid invertase (SAI) regulates sucrose activity in sugarcane were studied. Micropropagated sugarcane plants were obtained from callus cultures of four Mexican commercially available sugarcane varieties characterized by differences in sugar production, and activities of SPS, SUSY, NI, SAI and concentrations of sucrose were monitored in the sugarcane stem. The results indicated that sucrose accumulation was positively and significantly related to an increase in activity of SPS and SUSY and negatively to a reduction in activity of SAI and NI (P<0.05). SPS explained most of the variations found for sucrose accumulation and least for NI. The relationship between activity of SPS, SUSY, NI and SAI in sugarcane stem was similar in each variety.     

Sucrose accumulation and enzyme activities in callus culture of sugarcane

The activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SUSY), neutral invertase (NI) and soluble acid invertase (SAI) were measured in callus cultures of four Mexican sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp.) with a different capacity to accumulate sucrose in stem parenchyma cells. The results indicated that sucrose accumulation in callus was positively correlated to the activity of SPS and SUSY and negatively to the activity of SAI and NI while SPS explained most of the variation found for sucrose accumulation and NI least.The research was funded by the department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering CINVESTAV Mexico City, and F. G.-M. received grant-aided support from CONACyT, Mexico.     

甜高粱茎秆不同节间糖分累积与相关酶活性的变化

为了进一步了解甜高粱茎秆糖分代谢的规律,利用高效液相色谱等方法测定了考利、拉马达和MN-2747等3个甜高粱品种成熟期6个节间果糖、葡萄糖和蔗糖含量以及中性转化酶(NI)、可溶性酸性转化酶(SAI)、蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)和蔗糖合成酶(SS)的酶活性,并对其变化规律和相关性进行了分析。结果表明:不同品种间,果糖、葡萄糖和蔗糖含量变化范围较大,分别为2.32～4.34mg/g、2.30～4.14mg/g和35.92～95.92mg/g。随着节间的变化,3个品种果糖和葡萄糖均呈现"U"型变化趋势,而蔗糖无明显的变化规律,只是略有增高的趋势。3个品种成熟期茎秆中NI、SAI、SPS和SS酶活性普遍较低,随着节间的提高均呈现降低的趋势。节间蔗糖含量与SAI酶活性呈显著负相关(R=-0.71,P0.01),与NI、SPS和SS酶活性无明显相关性。SAI可能为甜高粱茎秆糖分代谢的关键调控酶。     

甘蔗节间蔗糖含量与和蔗糖代谢相关的4种酶活性之间的关系剖析

测定和分析2个品种甘蔗节间蔗糖含量与和蔗糖代谢相关的4种酶活性之间关系的结果表明:节间蔗糖含量与酸性转化酶活性成极显著负相关,与蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性呈显著正相关。从通径分析结果可知,4种关键酶中可溶性酸性转化酶和蔗糖磷酸合成酶是对蔗糖含量贡献程度最大的2个酶.     

甘草叶片渗透调节物质及蔗糖代谢相关酶对干旱胁迫的响应特性

该研究以甘草幼苗为试材,采用盆栽自然干旱方法,设计对照(CK)、轻度(LS)、中度(MS)、重度(SS)干旱胁迫处理,测定分析甘草叶片的渗透调节物质及蔗糖代谢相关酶[蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)、蔗糖合成酶合成方向(Ss+)、蔗糖合成酶分解方向(Ss-)、中性转化酶(NI)、酸性转化酶(AI)、淀粉磷酸化酶(SP)]活性的变化,以探讨甘草的渗透调节特性以及糖分调节的酶学机制,揭示甘草对干旱胁迫的响应机理。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,甘草叶片可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量呈逐渐增加的趋势,束缚水/自由水的比值呈先增加后降低的趋势。(2)随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,甘草叶片蔗糖、葡萄糖、果糖含量均呈先升高后降低的趋势,但不同胁迫强度出现峰值的时间不同;其中在CK和LS干旱胁迫时蔗糖含量淀粉含量葡萄糖含量果糖含量,在MS和SS干旱胁迫时淀粉含量葡萄糖含量蔗糖含量果糖含量,表明随着干旱程度的增加,甘草叶片中蔗糖转化成了淀粉。(3)随着干旱胁迫程度的加重,甘草叶片的SPS活性呈先升高后降低的趋势,Ss活性和Inv(蔗糖转化酶)活性呈逐渐升高的趋势,SP活性呈逐渐降低的趋势;各胁迫处理的Ss+活性与CK差异不显著,而Ss-活性与CK差异显著,并且Ss-活性在各胁迫处理下远大于Ss+活性,表明甘草叶片Ss-活性在蔗糖代谢过程中占主导作用。(4)相关分析结果显示,在LS中,NI与蔗糖呈负相关关系,Ss-与淀粉呈显著正相关关系、与蔗糖呈负相关关系;在MS中,蔗糖和葡萄糖与SPS、Ss+、Ss-、NI和AI均呈正相关关系,与SP呈负相关关系;在SS中,SP和NI与蔗糖呈正相关关系,而与淀粉呈负相关关系;表明在轻度干旱处理下,Ss参加了蔗糖的分解,继而合成淀粉;在中度和重度干旱条件下,SP主要催化淀粉的分解来增加蔗糖含量以此平衡蔗糖代谢。     

‘台农1号’芒果果实发育过程中的糖分积累与相关酶活性研究

以‘台农1号’芒果为材料,测定了果实生长发育过程中淀粉、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及淀粉酶、蔗糖代谢相关酶———酸性转化酶(AI)、中性转化酶(NI)、蔗糖合成酶(SS)和蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)的活性,并对果实中糖组分与酶活性的关系进行了分析.结果显示,(1)台农1号芒果果实属于单S型生长曲线,发育前期主要积累淀粉、葡萄糖和果糖,果实成熟软化时,淀粉酶活性降至最低,淀粉水解,蔗糖快速积累.(2)酸性转化酶活性在果实整个发育过程中维持最高,完熟时略有降低;蔗糖磷酸合成酶在果实发育前期略有降低,完熟时升至最高;蔗糖合成酶和中性转化酶活性在整个发育期一直很低且较稳定.(3)淀粉含量与淀粉酶活性呈显著正相关,与SPS活性呈极显著负相关,蔗糖、葡萄糖含量均与SPS、SS呈显著、极显著的正相关;果糖含量与SS呈极显著的正相关.研究表明,芒果成熟时淀粉分解、酸性转化酶活性的降低,且蔗糖合成酶和蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性的增加是引起果实蔗糖积累的主要因子.     

宁夏枸杞果实糖积累和蔗糖代谢相关酶活性的关系

通过对枸杞果实发育过程中果实生长模式、蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖和淀粉含量及糖代谢相关酶活性的测定,研究了宁夏枸杞果实生长发育过程中糖的代谢积累与相关酶活性的关系.结果表明:(1)宁夏枸杞果实发育呈双S"曲线,果实主要以积累己糖为主.(2)蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)活性在果实发育初期处于下降的趋势,在花后19d开始上升,果实转色后又逐渐下降;蔗糖合成酶(SS)活性总体表现为SS分解方向的活性大于SS合成方向的活性,说明枸杞果实发育过程中,SS的活性主要以分解方向的为主;酸性转化酶(AI)和中性转化酶(NI)的活性随果实发育呈上升趋势,但在果实成熟后期有所下降,且AI和NI活性高于合成酶类的活性,较高的转化酶类活性促进了果实内部己糖的积累.(3)在枸杞果实生长发育中,葡萄糖和果糖含量与AI和NI均呈极显著正相关,而与其它酶不具有相关性.说明AI和NI在宁夏枸杞果实的糖代谢中起着主要的调控作用.     

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.     

The effect of sulphite on chlorophyll fluorescence and sucrose metabolism in poplar leaves

Sulphite at concentrations from 0.5 to 5.0 mM was supplied to illuminated, detached poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh) leaves via the transpiration stream. Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, the contents of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (Fru2,6BP) and starch, and extractable specific activity of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SuSy), acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), ATP-dependent fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (PFK) and pyrophosphate-dependent fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (PFP) were measured. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters appeared to be unaffected by sulphite. Application of ≥ 1.0 mM sulphite led to an increase in the content of Fru2,6BP and starch. There was also a decline in the activity of SPS, NI and PFK. On the other hand, the influence of sulphite on the activity of AI and PFP was negligible. Specific activity of SuSy was inhibited by 1.0 and 2.5 mM but activated by 5.0 mM of sulphite. On the basis of the results obtained in the present study, we postulate that sulphite at concentrations ≥ 1.0 mM inhibits primarily sucrose synthesis, favours starch accumulation and has an indirect effect on the sucrolytic activities in poplar leaves.     

糖代谢相关酶在灵武长枣叶片和果柄糖积累中的作用

以不同发育时期灵武长枣为试材,测定果实生长发育过程中叶片、果柄可溶性糖含量及蔗糖代谢相关酶活性的变化,探讨果实生长发育过程中叶片、果柄糖的积累与蔗糖代谢相关酶活性的关系。结果表明:(1)灵武长枣叶片、果柄均主要以积累蔗糖为主,叶片、果柄中葡萄糖和果糖含量的变化平缓且随果实发育略有上升,蔗糖含量则呈先下降后迅速上升的趋势,且蔗糖含量始终高于葡萄糖和果糖的含量。(2)在果实的整个发育期,叶片和果柄的酸性转化酶(AI)活性均远高于中性转化酶(NI),AI在前期升高后变化较平稳,而蔗糖合成酶(SS)和蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)活性的变化各不相同。(3)SS分解方向酶活性(SSd)对叶片和果柄蔗糖的积累具有重要的调节作用。研究认为,蔗糖合成酶分解方向酶活性(SSd)对灵武长枣叶片和果柄蔗糖的积累起主要的调控作用。     

干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗非结构性碳水化合物代谢对NO的响应

以紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa）为材料,采用盆栽试验方法,用聚乙二醇（PEG-6000）作为渗透介质模拟干旱胁迫,外源喷施NO供体硝普钠,NO清除剂（carboxy-PTIO,cPTIO）,对紫花苜蓿幼苗叶片、根系中非结构性碳水化合物含量及相关酶活性的变化进行研究,探讨NO对紫花苜蓿耐旱机制的作用。结果表明：外源NO促进了紫花苜蓿叶片中淀粉的分解、根系中淀粉的积累,提高叶片及根系中可溶性糖（蔗糖、果糖和葡萄糖）含量,降低了渗透势,促进细胞吸水,缓解干旱造成的损伤。此外,外源NO能提高干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿叶片中蔗糖合成酶（SS）、酸性转化酶（AI）和中性转化酶（NI）活性,降低了蔗糖磷酸合成酶（SPS）的活性,提高根系中SS、SPS和转化酶活性,使蔗糖的合成与分解处于高水平的动态平衡,增强了紫花苜蓿的抗旱性。而NO清除剂cPTIO则会不同程度的抑制紫花苜蓿幼苗中非结构性碳水化合物（NSC）及其相关酶活性。因此,NO可以通过调控NSC的代谢响应干旱胁迫,缓解干旱胁迫造成的不利影响,在紫花苜蓿的抗旱中扮演着重要的角色。     

遮荫处理对罗汉果果肉组织中罗汉果苷和糖分含量的影响

该研究以罗汉果品种“永青1号”为材料,在果实发育后期进行不同强度的遮荫处理,测定遮荫处理下果肉组织中罗汉果苷各组分含量、各种糖分的积累及其相关糖代谢酶活性、叶片光合特性的变化。结果表明：重度遮荫(70％遮荫)会导致果实中罗汉果甜苷Ⅴ含量显著提高,遮荫60 d(授粉后90 d),对照与70％遮荫处理果实中罗汉果甜苷Ⅴ含量分别为4.83％、5.79％,差异达极显著水平( P<0.01);70％遮荫处理下果实中葡萄糖、果糖含量也明显高于对照( P<0.05)。与罗汉果甜苷Ⅴ、葡萄糖、果糖含量的变化不同,遮荫60 d,70％遮荫处理下罗汉果果实中可溶性糖、蔗糖的含量分别显著(P<0.05)和极显著(P<0.01)低于对照。另外,遮荫处理导致罗汉果叶片净光合速率下降,遮荫40 d,70％遮荫处理下叶片的净光合速率显著低于对照( P<0.05)。综上说明,重度遮荫处理可以引起罗汉果果实品质的改变;光合速率下降是遮荫处理下可溶性糖含量降低的主要原因;SPS、AI、SSC活性的改变则是遮荫导致蔗糖含量降低及葡萄糖、果糖含量上升的重要因素;重度遮荫条件下,荫棚中温度降低可能是罗汉果果实中甜苷Ⅴ含量增高的关键诱因。该研究结果为罗汉果的生产及品质调控提供了理论依据。     

枇杷果实发育过程中糖积累及相关酶活性变化研究

以'青种'、'霸红'和'鸡蛋白'3个枇杷品种为材料,测定不同果实发育时期果实中蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖含量以及蔗糖代谢相关酶即酸性转化酶(AI)、中性转化酶(NI)、蔗糖合成酶(SS)和蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)的活性,并对果实中糖积累与酶活性的关系进行了分析.结果表明:在果实膨大期(5月3日)之前,3种枇杷果实的蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖积累缓慢,之后则迅速积累,存在着明显的转折点;果实成熟(5月23日)之后糖分积累速度趋于平稳.3种枇杷果实在发育过程中转化酶、蔗糖合成酶和蔗糖磷酸合成酶的活性变化与3种糖积累的动态变化趋势相一致.NI和AI活性在果实膨大期之前都较低且没有明显的变化,之后均快速上升;SS和SPS的活性在果实膨大期之前都很低且几乎无变化,随后'鸡蛋白'的活性迅速上升至果实成熟之后便缓慢上升,而'青种'和'霸红'随果实成熟度的增加而升高,但均低于'鸡蛋白'.可见,枇杷果实膨大期是糖分积累代谢活跃期,其糖积累受蔗糖代谢相关酶综合调控.     

Extractable activities and protein content of sucrose-phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase and neutral invertase in trunk tissues of Robinia pseudoacacia L. are related to cambial wood production and heartwood formation

The presence of sucrose synthesizing and degrading enzymes and the correlation of their enzyme activity with cambial growth and heartwood formation are demonstrated in trunks of Robinia pseudoacacia L., black locust. Sucrose is formed by sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14), predominantly in the storage part of the sapwood. In the cambial differentiation zone and the sapwood-heartwood transition zone, both of which constitute carbohydrate sinks, sucrose is primarily cleaved by sucrose synthase (SuSy; EC 2.4.1.13) and a neutral invertase (NI; EC 3.2.1.26). In spring, enhanced activities of SuSy and NI were found in the differentiating xylem tissues. This coincided with elevated SPS rates at the sites of starch mobilization. Heartwood formation in autumn, a period of intense accumulation of phenolics in the innermost living wood tissues, was accompanied by high activities of SuSy and NI. Increased SPS and NI activities in all tissues of winter samples could be correlated with cold acclimation. Probing of SPS and SuSy protein from black locust with heterologous antibodies revealed a subunit size of 130 kDa for SPS and of 89 kDa for SuSy. Both SPS and SuSy exhibited a linear correlation between catalytic activity and amount of enzyme protein with respect to the radial profile from bark to inner core and with respect to the seasonal course. The highest amounts of SuSy-specific mRNA were detected in differentiating xylem in summer and the sapwood-heartwood transition zone in autumn. These data are taken as evidence for a pivotal role of SuSy in supplying carbon skeletons for the biosynthesis of secondary substances in woody axes. Received: 6 May 1998 / Accepted: 28 July 1998     

外源水杨酸对氯化钠胁迫下番茄幼苗糖代谢的影响

采用营养液水培法,用100、300和500 mg·L^-1不同浓度的水杨酸（SA）处理‘辽园多丽’番茄幼苗,测定在NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗叶片果糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖含量和蔗谢代谢相关酶活性（酸性转化酶AI、中性转化酶NI、蔗糖磷酸合成酶SPS、蔗糖合成酶活性SS）的变化.结果表明：SA处理叶片可以维持或提高NaCl胁迫条件下番茄幼苗叶片果糖、葡萄糖含量及AI、NI、SPS和SS活性,其最高值分别比单纯NaCl处理植株增加30.0%、31.1%、24.7%、27.9%、22.0%和24.5%;但对NaCl胁迫条件下番茄幼苗叶片蔗糖含量的影响不大.表明水杨酸可以通过提高NaCl胁迫下番茄叶片转化酶活性来提高番茄叶片果糖和葡萄糖含量,从而缓解NaCl胁迫对番茄的伤害,其中以500 mg·L^-1的SA处理效果较理想.     

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。     

Sucrose metabolism of perennial ryegrass in relation to cold acclimation

Sugar metabolism is one of the important factors involved in winter hardiness and since the discovery of sucrose biosynthesis, considerable advances have been made in understanding its regulation and crucial role. This investigation examined the changes in activities of sucrose metabolizing enzymes and sugar content during cold hardening of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Changes in acid invertase (AI), sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) along with all the three soluble sugars glucose, fructose and sucrose were measured in leaves and stem base tissue during cold acclimation. Although fructans were the predominant carbohydrate the changes in glucose, fructose and sucrose were significant. All the three soluble sugars in both leaf and stem tissues started to decrease from the first day and continued up to day 7 and thereafter started to increase until day 28. AI in the soluble fraction showed a higher activity than that in the cell wall bound fraction. In both the leaf and stem bases soluble AI activity increased during the first week and after that it started to decrease gradually. On the other hand both the SS and SPS increased gradually throughout the acclimation period. Sucrose content was negatively correlated with AI and positively correlated with SS and SPS accounting well for the relation between the substrate and enzyme activity. These results suggest that AI, SS and SPS in ryegrass are regulated by cold acclimation and play an important role in sugar accumulation and acquisition of freezing tolerance.     

套作大豆苗期茎秆纤维素合成代谢与抗倒性的关系

为从茎秆强度的角度研究套作大豆苗期对荫蔽胁迫的响应及耐荫抗倒机制,采用耐荫性不同的3个大豆材料,在玉米大豆套作和单作两种种植模式下,对茎秆的纤维素、可溶性糖、蔗糖、淀粉含量及蔗糖代谢中关键酶活性以及茎秆抗折力、抗倒伏指数等进行测定,研究它们与套作大豆苗期倒伏的关系.套作大豆苗期倒伏严重,茎秆抗折力、抗倒伏指数、纤维素、可溶性糖、蔗糖、淀粉含量和相关酶活性均显著低于单作.不同大豆材料受套作荫蔽影响程度不同,强耐荫性大豆南豆12茎秆抗折力降低幅度最小,在套作环境下其茎秆抗折力、抗倒伏指数大,纤维素、可溶性糖、蔗糖、淀粉含量高,酶活性强.相关分析表明： 套作大豆苗期茎秆糖含量均与抗折力呈极显著正相关,与倒伏率呈极显著负相关;蔗糖含量与蔗糖磷酸合酶(SPS)、蔗糖合酶(SS)、中性转化酶(NI)活性呈极显著正相关,与酸性转化酶(AI)活性相关性不显著;纤维素含量与SPS、SS呈极显著正相关,与NI呈显著正相关,与AI相关性不显著.套作环境下,强耐荫性大豆苗期茎秆中较高的SPS、SS活性是其维持高蔗糖和纤维素含量的酶学基础,而高纤维素含量有利于提高茎秆强度,进而增强其抗倒伏能力.本研究应用玉米大豆套作种植系统,从苗期抗倒角度,探明了光环境对不同基因型大豆茎秆纤维素代谢的影响机制,为下一步筛选耐荫抗倒大豆品种提供了理论依据.     

Sucrose phosphate synthase and other sucrose metabolizing enzymes in fruits of various species

Recent reports have suggested that sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14), a key enzyme in sucrose biosynthesis in photosynthetic “source” tissues, may also be important in some sucrose accumulating “sink” tissues. These experiments were conducted to determine if sucrose phosphate synthase is involved in sucrose accumulation in fruits of several species. Peach (Prunus persica NCT 516) and strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler) fruits were harvested directly from the plant at various stages of fruit development. Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis), papaya (Carica papaya), pineapple (Ananas comosus) and mango (Mangifera indica) were sampled in postharvest storage over a period of several days. Carbohydrate concentrations and activities of sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13), and acid and neutral invertases (EC 3.2.1.26) were measured. All fruits contained significant activities of sucrose phosphate synthase. Moreover, in fruits from all species except pineapple and papaya, there was an increase in sucrose phosphate synthase activity associated with the accumulation of sucrose in situ. The increase in sucrose concentration in peaches was also associated with an increase in sucrose synthase activity and, in strawberries, with increased activity of both sucrose synthase and neutral invertase. The hexose pools in all fruits were comprised of equimolar concentrations of fructose and glucose, except in the mango. In mango, the fructose to glucose ratio increased from 2 to 41 during ripening as sucrose concentration more than doubled. The results of this study indicate that activities of the sucrose metabolizing enzymes, including sucrose phosphate synthase, within the fruit itself, are important in determining the soluble sugar content of fruits of many species. This appears to be true for fruits which sweeten from a starch reserve and in fruits from sorbitol translocating species, raffinose saccharide translocating species, and sucrose translocating species.