Regulation of C4 photosynthesis: regulation of pyruvate, Pi dikinase by ADP-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation

Pyruvate, Pi dikinase in extracts of chloroplasts from mesophyll cells of Zea mays is inactivated by incubation with ADP plus ATP. This inactivation was associated with phosphorylation of a threonine residue on a 100 kDa polypeptide, the major polypeptide of the mesophyll chloroplast stroma, which was identified as the subunit of pyruvate, Pi dikinase. The phosphate originated from the beta-position of ADP as indicated by the labelling of the enzyme during inactivation in the presence of [beta-32P]ADP. During inactivation of the enzyme up to 1 mole of phosphate was incorporated per mole of pyruvate, Pi dikinase subunit inactivated. 32P label was lost from the protein during the Pi-dependent reactivation of pyruvate, Pi dikinase.     

Primary structure of maize pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase as deduced from cDNA sequence

We have isolated two overlapping cDNA clones that encompass the entire structural gene for pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase from maize. The analysis of the nucleotide sequence has revealed that the cDNA clones include an insert of a total of 3,171 nucleotides without a poly(A) tail and encode a polypeptide that contains 947 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 102,673. Comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase protein with that deduced from the nucleotide sequence shows that the mature form of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase in the maize chloroplast consists of 876 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 95,353. The amino acid composition of the deduced sequence of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase is in good agreement with that of the purified enzyme. The region that contains the active and regulatory sites of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase can be found in the deduced sequence of amino acids. We have predicted the secondary structure and calculated the hydropathy pattern of this region. The extra 71 residues at the N terminus of the deduced sequence of amino acid residues corresponds to the transit peptide which is indispensable for the transport of the precursor protein into chloroplasts. We have compared the primary structure of the pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase transit peptide to those of other proteins and found sequences similar to the consensus sequences found in other transit peptides.     

Lipid peroxidation and the degradation of cytochrome P-450 heme

The enzyme content and functional capacities of mesophyll chloroplasts from Atriplex spongiosa and maize have been investigated. Accompanying evidence from graded sequential blending of leaves confirmed that mesophyll cells contain all of the leaf pyruvate, P_i dikinase, and PEP carboxylase activities and a major part of the adenylate kinase and pyrophosphatase. 3-Phosphoglycerate kinase, NADP glyceraldehyde-3-P-dehydrogenase, and triose-P isomerase activities were about equally distributed between mesophyll and bundle sheath cells but other Calvin cycle enzymes were very largely or solely located in bundle sheath cells. In A. spongiosa extracts of predominantly mesophyll origin the proportion of the released pyruvate, P_i dikinase, adenylate kinase, pyrophosphatase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, and NADP glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase retained in pelleted chloroplasts was similar but varied between 30 and 80% in different preparations. The proportion of these enzymes and NADP malate dehydrogenase recovered in maize chloroplast preparations varied between 15 and 35%. Washed chloroplasts retained most of the activity of these enzymes but ribulose diphosphate carboxylase and other Calvin cycle enzyme activities were undetectable. Among the evidence for the integrity of these chloroplasts was their capacity for light-dependent conversion of pyruvate to phosphoenolpyruvate and O₂ evolution when 3-phosphoglycerate or oxaloacetate were added. These results support our previous conclusions about the function of mesophyll chloroplasts in C₄-pathway photosynthesis and clearly demonstrate that they lack Calvin cycle activity.     

Light Activation of Pyruvate, Orthophosphate Dikinase in Maize Mesophyll Chloroplasts: A Role for Adenylate Energy Charge

Pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1 [EC] ) was activatedin the light and inactivated following a dark treatment in intactmaize mesophyll chloroplasts. Addition of catalase (100–250units/ml) to the assay medium was necessary to obtain good activationand to keep the enzyme in an active state during illumination.Arsenate and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone, uncouplersof photophosphorylation, inhibited the activation. Pyruvate,which has been proposed to have a critical role in supportingthe light activation of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase, actuallyinhibited the activation. The pyruvate level in the chloroplastsuspension decreased when the enzyme was light-activated. Measurementsof adenylates and pyruvate in the chloroplasts indicated thatthe energy state of the chloroplasts was more important forthe light activation than was the level of pyruvate. ¹Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science,Saitama University, 255, Shimo-Okubo, Urawa, 338 Japan ²Present address: National Institute of Agrobiological Resources,Yatabe, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305 Japan (Received May 2, 1989; Accepted October 2, 1989)     

Effect of adenine nucleotides on the reaction catalyzed by pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase in maize

The effect of adenine nucleotides in pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1, ATP, pyruvate, orthophosphate phosphotransferase)_was studied with the enzyme furified from maize, and with the enzyme obtained from mesophyll chloroplast extracts during assay in the direction of pyruvate conversion to phosphoenolpyruvate. (1) In studies with the purified enzyme, the relationship of initial velocity to ATP concentrations follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the K_m value for ATP was 22.8 μM (± 5.1 μM, n = 5). (2) AMP was a competitive inhibitor with respect to ATP, and its K_i value was 35.8 μM (± μM, n = 4). There was no inhibition of catalysis by ADP up to a concentration of 460 μM. (3) The theoretical response of the enzyme to change in the adenylate energy charge was calculated from the kinetic constants for ATP and AMP. The experimentally obtained values were similar to the theoretical response when varying energy charge was generated by addition of appropriate amounts of ATP, ADP and AMP in assays with the purified enzyme. The response of the enzyme to energy charge at different pH values (pH 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0) was similar, although the activity of the enzyme at pH 7.0 was about 40% of that at pH 8.0. (4) When mesophyll chloroplast extracts of maize, which contain high levels of adenylate kinase, were used as the source of the enzyme and the adenylate energy charge was generated by addition of different concentrations of ATP and AMP, the influence on catalysis was similar to that with the purified enzyme. (5) The data show that the effect of varying energy chage on the activity of the dikinase is not typical of a U-type enzyme, in contrast to phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3, ATP: 3-phospho-D-glycerate 1-phosphotransferase), which is more strongly regulated. (6) Evidence is presented for competition between the dikinase and phosphoglycerate kinase for ATP in mesophyll chloroplast extracts of maize. (7) When the effect of adenylate energy charge on the state of activation and the direct effect on catalysis of the dikanase are combined, the total capacity for catalysis is very dependent on the energy charge.     

Immunogold localization of photosynthetic enzymes in leaves of various C4 plants, with particular reference to pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase

Cellular localization of photosynthetic enzymes was investigated by immunogold electron microscopy for leaves of nine C4 grasses (three NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME)subtype species, three NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) subtype species, and three phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) subtype species), two C4 sedges (NADP-ME subtype species) and two C4 dicots (an NADP-ME and an NADP/NAD-ME subtype species). In leaves of all species, immunogold labelling was present for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the cytosol of the mesophyll cells (MC) and for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in the chloroplasts of the bundle sheath cells (BSC). However, considerable specific variation was found in the intercellular patterns of labelling for pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK). In the NADP-ME grasses, two NAD-ME grasses, and the dicots, significant labelling for PPDK was present in the both the BSC and the MC chloroplasts. In the other NAD-ME grass, the PCK grasses, and the sedges, labelling for PPDK was present almost exclusively in the chloroplasts of the MC. These patterns were observed in the leaves of both young seedlings and mature plants. These results indicate that the accumulation of PPDK in leaves of C4 plants is not necessarily restricted to the MC, although the chloroplasts of the MC accumulate more than those of the BSC.Key words: C4 plants, immunolocalization, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.      

Pyruvate, pi dikinase in bundle sheath strands as well as in mesophyll cells in maize leaves

Mesophyll protoplasts and bundle sheath strands were isolated from maize leaves. Light microscopic observation showed the preparations were pure and without cross contamination. Protein blot analysis of mesophyll and bundle sheath cell soluble protein showed that the concentration of pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1) is about one-tenth as much in the bundle sheath cells as in mesophyll cells, but about eight times greater than that found in wheat leaves, on the basis of soluble protein. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) was barely detectable in the bundle sheath cells, while ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) and NADP-dependent malic enzyme (EC 1.3.1.37) were exclusively present in the bundle sheath cells and were absent in the mesophyll cells. Whereas pyruvate, Pi dikinase was previously considered localized only in mesophyll cells of C₄ plants, these results clearly demonstrate the presence of appreciable quantities of the enzyme in the bundle sheath cells of the C₄ species maize.     

Nonaqueous purification of maize mesophyll chloroplasts

A nonaqueous fractionation method to obtain highly purified mesophyll chloroplasts from lyophilized leaves of Zea mays L. is described. The levels of several metabolites including pyruvate were determined in the purified mesophyll chloroplast fractions which were prepared from leaves exposed to different light intensities. The role of pyruvate in the regulation of pyruvate,Pi dikinase in these chloroplasts under different light intensities is discussed.     

Distribution of enzymes in mesophyll and parenchyma-sheath chloroplasts of maize leaves in relation to the C4-dicarboxylic acid pathway of photosynthesis

1. Mesophyll and parenchyma-sheath chloroplasts of maize leaves were separated by density fractionation in non-aqueous media. 2. An investigation of the distribution of photosynthetic enzymes indicated that the mesophyll chloroplasts probably contain the entire leaf complement of pyruvate,P(i) dikinase, NADP-specific malate dehydrogenase, glycerate kinase and nitrite reductase and most of the adenylate kinase and pyrophosphatase. The fractionation pattern of phosphopyruvate carboxylase suggested that this enzyme may be associated with the bounding membrane of mesophyll chloroplasts. 3. Ribulose diphosphate carboxylase, ribose phosphate isomerase, phosphoribulokinase, fructose diphosphate aldolase, alkaline fructose diphosphatase and NADP-specific ;malic' enzyme appear to be wholly localized in the parenchyma-sheath chloroplasts. Phosphoglycerate kinase and NADP-specific glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, on the other hand, are distributed approximately equally between the two types of chloroplast. 4. After exposure of illuminated leaves to (14)CO(2) for 25sec., labelled malate, aspartate and 3-phosphoglycerate had similar fractionation patterns, and a large proportion of each was isolated with mesophyll chloroplasts. Labelled fructose phosphates and ribulose phosphates were mainly isolated in fractions containing parenchyma-sheath chloroplasts, and dihydroxyacetone phosphate had a fractionation pattern intermediate between those of C(4) dicarboxylic acids and sugar phosphates. 6. These results indicate that the mesophyll and parenchyma-sheath chloroplasts have a co-operative function in the operation of the C(4)-dicarboxylic acid pathway. Possible routes for the transfer of carbon from C(4) dicarboxylic acids to sugars are discussed.     

Activation of NADP-Malate Dehydrogenase, Pyruvate,Pi Dikinase, and Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphatase in Relation to Photosynthetic Rate in Maize

The activity and extent of light activation of three photosynthetic enzymes, pyruvate,Pi dikinase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), were examined in maize (Zea mays var Royal Crest) leaves relative to the rate of photosynthesis during induction and under varying light intensities. There was a strong light activation of NADP-MDH and pyruvate,Pi dikinase, and light also activated FBPase 2- to 4-fold. During the induction period for whole leaf photosynthesis at 30°C under high light, the time required to reach half-maximum activation for all three enzymes was only 1 minute or less. After 2.5 minutes of illumination the enzymes were fully activated, while the photosynthetic rate was only at half-maximum activity, indicating that factors other than enzyme activation limit photosynthesis during the induction period in C₄ plants.

Under steady state conditions, the light intensity required to reach half-maximum activation of the three enzymes was similar (300-400 microEinsteins per square meter per second), while the light intensity required for half-maximum rates of photosynthesis was about 550 microEinsteins per square meter per second. The light activated levels of NADP-MDH and FBPase were well in excess of the in vivo activities which would be required during photosynthesis, while maximum activities of pyruvate,Pi dikinase were generally just sufficient to accommodate photosynthesis, suggesting the latter may be a rate limiting enzyme.

There was a large (5-fold) light activation of FBPase in isolated bundle sheath strands of maize, whereas there was little light activation of the enzyme in isolated mesophyll protoplasts. In mesophyll protoplasts the enzyme was largely located in the cytoplasm, although there was a low amount of light-activated enzyme in the mesophyll chloroplasts. The results suggest the chloroplastic FBPase in maize is primarily located in the bundle sheath cells.

     

Leaf inner structure and immunogold localization of some key enzymes involved in carbon metabolism in CAM plants

There are relatively few reports on the leaf structure and in situ immunolocalization of carbon metabolism enzymes in crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants, compared with reports on C4 plants. The leaf inner structure and the subcellular location of some key CAM enzymes for a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) CAM species, Ananas comosus, and three malic enzyme (ME) CAM species, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Kalanchoe daigremontiana, and K. pinnata, was investigated by immunogold labelling and electron microscopy in this study. The leaves of these species had few intercellular air spaces in the mesophyll. A large vacuole occupied the mesophyll cells, and many vesicles of various sizes occurred in the cytosol. Immunocytochemical study revealed that labelling was present for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the cytosol and for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in the chloroplasts of the mesophyll cells in all species. No specific labelling for pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) was observed in the PCK-CAM species. In the ME-CAM species, the patterns of labelling for PPDK differed. In M. crystallinum labelling for PPDK was present only in the chloroplasts, whereas in the two Kalanchoe species it occurred in the cytosol as well as in the chloroplasts. These results suggest that the subcellular localization of PPDK varies with ME-CAM species, in contrast to the conventional belief that it is localized in the chloroplasts.Key words: Crassulacean acid metabolism, immunolocalization, leaf inner structure, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase.      

Occurrence of Pyruvate Orthophosphate Dikinase in the Succulent Plant, Kalanchoë daigremontiana Hamet. et. Perr

Pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase was detected from Kalanchoë daigremontiana Hamet. et. Perr., a succulent plant with crassulacean acid metabolism. Enzyme activity was similar to that of maize extracts. Two enzymes demonstrating pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase activity from K. daigremontiana and Zea mays were found to be partially identical from enzyme-inhibition and immunoprecipitin tests with maize enzyme antiserum. A time course study demonstrated that pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase activity in leaf extracts was dependent upon exposure of leaves to light.     

Control of the activation/inactivation of pyruvate, Pi dikinase from the C4 plant maize by adenylate energy charge, pyruvate, and analogs of pyruvate

Pyruvate, Pi dikinase, which is localized in the mesophyll chloroplasts of C4 plants, requires a high adenylate energy charge for conversion of the enzyme from the inactive to the active form. The inactivation process is favored by a low energy charge, being maximal at values below 0.7. Pyruvate and analogs of pyruvate, oxamate and oxalate, strongly inhibit the inactivation process at millimolar levels. The results suggest that light activation of the enzyme in vivo may be mediated by an increased adenylate energy charge in the chloroplast. Pyruvate may allow a higher steady-state level of activation to be achieved in vivo by inhibiting inactivation.     

Synthesis and uptake of cytoplasmically synthesized pyruvate, pi dikinase polypeptide by chloroplasts

Polyadenylated RNA was isolated from maize leaves and translated in vitro. In agreement with a previous report by others, we found among the translation products a 110-kilodalton pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) precursor that is about 16 kilodaltons larger than the polypeptide isolated from cells. This maize PPDK precursor polypeptide was taken up from the translation product mixture by intact spinach chloroplasts and yielded a mature PPDK polypeptide (94 kilodaltons). The uptake and processing support the proposal that the extra 16-kilodalton size of the polypeptide from in vitro translation of maize leaf mRNA represents a transit sequence which is cleaved after its entry into chloroplasts. Moreover, these results provide additional evidence that in vivo in maize leaf cells PPDK polypeptide is synthesized in the cytoplasm and is transported into the chloroplasts.

Location of PPDK in C₃ plant leaves was investigated by immunochemical analysis. Intact chloroplasts were isolated from leaves of spinach, wheat, and maize. A protein blot of stromal protein in each case gave rise to bands corresponding to authentic PPDK polypeptide. This result indicates that PPDK is present in chloroplasts of C₃ plant leaves as it is in the case of C₄ plants.

     

Identification of the phosphate-translocator from maize mesophyll chloroplasts

Intact maize mesophyll chloroplasts have been isolated in yields of up to 10 mg of chlorophyll per preparation. The chloroplasts were able to reduce 3-phosphoglycerate at a rate of 2.4 mumol of oxygen/min/mg of chlorophyll. This activity was inhibited by preincubating the intact chloroplasts with pyridoxal 5-phosphate. Chloroplast envelopes have been prepared and the protein profile has been obtained on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The phosphate-translocator from the chloroplast envelope has been identified as a 30kDa polypeptide.     

Evidence for different kinases in thylakoid protein phosphorylation.

Thylakoid protein phosphorylation was facilitated in darkness by using the ferredoxin-NADPH system. CoCl2 and DBMIB (2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone) were potent inhibitors of LHCP (light-harvesting chlorophyll-binding protein) phosphorylation, but 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea and atrazine had no significant effect. Differential effects on phosphorylation of the 9 kDa polypeptide and LHCP were observed in darkness with DBMIB and certain other inhibitors specific for Photosystem-II electron transport. Similarly, during illumination of intact chloroplasts or of the reconstituted chloroplast system, a differential action of bicarbonate was observed on the relative phosphorylation of the two proteins. The degree of phosphorylation of the 9 kDa polypeptide was increased in the presence of bicarbonate compared with its absence, whereas that of LHCP was relatively unchanged. Changes in the degree of phosphorylation of the 32 kDa polypeptide in these experiments did not correlate consistently with changes in phosphorylation of either LHCP or the 9 kDa polypeptide, although changes in the 32 kDa polypeptide more often paralleled phosphorylation of the 9 kDa polypeptide rather than the phosphorylation of LHCP. These observations suggest that the protein kinase that phosphorylates LHCP is distinct from that which phosphorylates the 9 kDa polypeptide.     

Studies on the dark/light regulation of maize leaf pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase by reversible phosphorylation

In maize leaves, pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is deactivated in the dark and reactivated in the light. Studies in vitro using purified PPDK and a partially purified regulatory protein from maize confirmed previous reports correlating deactivation/reactivation with the reversible phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of a threonyl residue. By monitoring the stability of the exogenous 32P-labeled adenylate substrates during deactivation, we have firmly established ADP as the specific phosphate donor. In isolated maize leaf mesophyll protoplasts preilluminated with 32Pi, we observed a three- to fivefold higher PPDK activity in situ in the light, and a corresponding three- to fivefold higher level of phosphorylation of the 94-kDa PPDK protomer in the dark. HPLC-based phosphoamino acid analysis of PPDK purified from maize leaves of both light- and dark-adapted plants revealed the presence of P-serine. The inactive enzyme from dark-adapted plants (inactivated in vivo) also contained P-threonine. Total phosphate content of PPDK purified from leaves of light-adapted plants was approximately 0.5 mol/mol protomer, and 1.5 mol/mol protomer from leaves of dark-adapted plants. Since the difference between enzyme purified from light-adapted (active PPDK) and dark-adapted (inactive PPDK) plants is the presence of P-threonine in the latter, this suggests an inactivation stoichiometry in vivo of 1 mol P-threonine/mol 94-kDa protomer. These complementary studies with maize leaf PPDK in vitro, in situ, and in vivo provide convincing evidence for the dark/light regulation of this key C4-photosynthesis enzyme by reversible phosphorylation.