The enzymic synthesis of ribose-1,5-bisphosphate: studies of its role in metabolism

Ribose-1,5-bisphosphate is synthesized in a reaction that uses ribose-1(or 5)-P as the phosphoryl acceptor and the acyl-P of 3-phosphoglyceryl phosphate as the donor. Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate is synthesized in a similar reaction. The relative activity with the two substrates remains unchanged over almost 300-fold purification of the enzyme, indicating that glucose-1,6-bisphosphate synthase catalyzes both reactions. The relative V/Km values for alternative phosphoryl acceptors are ribose-1-P (1); glucose-1-P (0.30); mannose-1-P and ribose-5-P (0.11); glucose-6-P (0.10); 2-deoxyglucose-6-P (0.03); and 2-deoxyribose-5-P (0.02). Fructose-1- and 6-phosphates are not substrates. The synthesis of both ribose-1,5-bisphosphate and glucose-1,6-bisphosphate is inhibited by physiologically significant levels of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, glycerate-2,3-bisphosphate, glycerate-3-phosphate, citrate, and inorganic phosphate. Ribose-1,5-bisphosphate is a strong activator of brain phosphofructokinase.     

Phosphate sequestration by glycerol and its effects on photosynthetic carbon assimilation by leaves

Glycerol induced a limitation on photosynthetic carbon assimilation by phosphate when supplied to leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). This limitation by phosphate was evidenced by (i) reversibility of the inhibition of photosynthesis by glycerol by feeding orthophosphate (ii) a decrease in light-saturated rates of photosynthesis and saturation at a lower irradiance, (iii) the promotion of oscillations in photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation and in chlorophyll fluorescence, (iv) decreases in the pools of hexose monophosphates and triose phosphates and increases in the ratio of glycerate-3-phosphate to triose phosphate, (v) decreased photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, and increased non-photochemical quenching, specifically of the component which relaxed rapidly, indicating that thylakoid energisation had increased. In barley there was a massive accumulation of glycerol-3-phosphate and an increase in the period of the oscillations, but in spinach the accumulation of glycerol-3-phosphate was comparatively slight. The mechanism(s) by which glycerol feeding affects photosynthetic carbon assimilation are discussed in the light of these results.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - C _i intercellular concentration of CO₂ - P phosphate - PGA glycerate-3-phosphate - Pi orthophosphate - triose-P sum of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate     

Perturbation of photosynthesis in spinach leaf discs by low concentrations of methyl viologen

Spinach leaf discs were floated on methyl-viologen solutions (5–200 nmol·l^-1) and the effect on photosynthetic metabolism was then investigated under conditions of saturating CO₂. Methyl viologen led to increased non-photochemical quenching, and the ATP/ADP ratio increased from <2 to >10. Comparison of the apparent quantum yield and non-photochemical quenching indicated that these concentrations of methyl viologen were only catalysing a marginal electron flux, and that the decrease in quantum yield was mainly the result of pH-triggered energy dissipation. Similar changes were also obtained after supplying tentoxin to inhibit the chloroplast ATP synthase and increase the energisation of the thylakoids. The photosystem-II acceptor, Q_A, was monitored by photochemical fluorescence quenching, and became more reduced. In contrast, the activation of NADP-malate dehydrogenase decreased, showing that the acceptor side of photosystem I becomes more oxidised. Similar changes were observed after supplying tentoxin. It is concluded that increased thylakoid energisation can lead to a substantial restriction of linear electron transport. Analysis of metabolite levels showed that glycerate-3-phosphate reduction was imporved, but that there was a large accumulation of triose phosphates and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. This is the consequence of an inhibition of the regeneration of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, caused by inactivation of the stromal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and, to a lesser extent, phosphoribulokinase. Methyl viologen also led to inactivation of sucrose-phosphate synthase, and abolished the response of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate to rising rates of photosynthesis. This provides evidence for a primary role of glycerate-3-phosphate in controlling the activity of fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase and, thence, the fructose-2,6-bisphosphate concentration as the rate of photosynthesis increases. It is concluded that the very moderate ATP/ADP ratios found in chloroplasts are the results of constraints on the operation of ATP synthase. They can be increased if the thylakoid energisation is increased. However, the increased energisation acts directly or indirectly to disrupt many other aspects of photosynthetic metabolism including linear electron transport, activation of the Calvin cycle, and the control of sucrose and starch synthesis.Abbreviations and symbols Frul,6P₂ (Fru1,6Pase) fructose-1,6-bisphosphate(ase) - Fru2,6P, (Fru2,6Pase) fructose-2,6-bisphosphate(-ase) - Fru6P fructose-6-phosphate - Glc6P glucose-6-phosphate - Pi inorganic phosphate - PSI and PSII photosystems I and II - qE high energy' quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence - PGA glycerate-3-phosphate - Q_A primary stable acceptor of PSII - Ru5P (Ru1,5P₂) ribulose-5-phosphate (-1,5-bisphosphate) - SPS sucrose-phosphate synthase - triose P dihydroxyacetone phosphate plus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate - _s apparent quantum yield Dedicated to Professor E. Latzko on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Pi和PGA对玉米叶片PFK-2/FBPase-2的作用

Fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase and fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase have been partially purified from maize leaves by PEG fractionadon and by chromatography on TSK-DEAE ion exchanger and Blue-Sepharose 4B. Fructose-6-phosphate 2-kinase was activated by phosphate and inhibited by 3-pnosphoglycerate. Furctose 2,6-bisphosphatase was inhibited by inorganic phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate.The observed pattern of reguladon suggests that systhesis and degradation of Fru-2,6-P_2 respond to changes in the concentration of effectors. An increase in the level of glycerate-3-phosphate or dihydroxyacetonephosphate will result in a decrease in the level of Fru-2,6-P_2. Conversely a rise in Fru-6-P concentration will lead to an increase in the Fru-2, 6-P_2 concentration.     

Reduced-activity mutants of phosphoglucose isomerase in the cytosol and chloroplast of Clarkia xantiana

(i) We have studied the influence of reduced phosphoglucose-isomerase (PGI) activity on photosynthetic carbon metabolism in mutants of Clarkia xantiana Gray (Onagraceae). The mutants had reduced plastid (75% or 50% of wildtype) or reduced cytosolic (64%, 36% or 18% of wildtype) PGI activity. (ii) Reduced plastid PGI had no significant effect on metabolism in low light. In high light, starch synthesis decreased by 50%. There was no corresponding increase of sucrose synthesis. Instead glycerate-3-phosphate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, reduction of Q_A (the acceptor for photosystem II) and energy-dependent chlorophyll-fluorescence quenching increased, and O₂ evolution was inhibited by 25%. (iii) Decreased cytosolic PGI led to lower rates of sucrose synthesis, increased fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, glycerate-3-phosphate and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, and a stimulation of starch synthesis, but without a significant inhibition of O₂ evolution. Partitioning was most affected in low light, while the metabolite levels changed more at saturating irradiances. (iv) These results provide decisive evidence that fructose-2,6-bisphosphate can mediate a feedback inhibition of sucrose synthesis in response to accumulating hexose phosphates. They also provide evidence that the ensuing stimulation of starch synthesis is due to activation of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase by a rising glycerate-3-phosphate: inorganic phosphate ratio, and that this can occur without any loss of photosynthetic rate. However the effectiveness of these mechanisms varies, depending on the conditions. (v) These results are analysed using the approach of Kacser and Burns (1973, Trends Biochem. Sci. 7, 1149–1161) to provide estimates for the elasticities and flux-control coefficient of the cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and to estimate the gain in the fructose-2,6-bisphosphate regulator cycle during feedback inhibition of sucrose synthesis.Abbreviations and symbols Chl chlorophyll - Fru6P fructose-6-phosphate - Frul,6bisP fructose-1,6-bisphosphate - Fru-1,6Pase fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase - Fru2,6bisP fructose-2,6-bisphosphate - Fru2,6Pase fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase - Glc6P glucose-6-phosphate - PGI phosphoglucose isomerase - Pi inorganic phosphate - Q_A acceptor for photosystem II - Ru1,5bisP ributose-1,5-bisphosphate - SPS sucrose-phosphate synthase     

The quenching of chlorophyll a fluorescence as a consequence of the transport of inorganic carbon by the cyanobacterium Synechococcus UTEX 625

The chlorophyll a fluorescence yield of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus UTEX 625 decreased upon the initiation of inorganic carbon transport. The fluorescence yield recovered upon the depletion of inorganic carbon from the medium or upon the addition of DCMU. The inhibition of photosynthetic CO₂ fixation by iodoacetamide did not prevent this reduction of fluorescence yield. Similar results were obtained for both Na⁺-stimulated HCO₃⁻ transport and for the transport (presumably of CO₂) that is stimulated by carbonic anhydrase. A transient lowering of the fluorescence yield was also observed when cell suspensions were pulsed with CO₂. In cells not inhibited with iodoacetamide, a very close quantitative relationship existed between the net rate of O₂ evolution and the maximum extent of fluorescence quenching seen as a function of the inorganic carbon concentration. The fluorescence quenching, however, was not due to CO₂ fixation but rather to the transport of inorganic carbon or the accumulation of the internal pool of inorganic carbon. If quenching is due to the latter it is not surprising that the extent of quenching corresponds to the maximum rate of photosynthesis as the rate of photosynthesis also depends on the size of the internal pool. The results with DCMU suggest that the quenching is Q quenching and transport must provide a mechanism for the oxidation of Q other than CO₂ fixation.     

Generation of oscillatory behavior in the Laisk model of photosynthetic carbon assimilation

The metabolic pathways in photosynthesis are modelled as an interconnected series of chemical reactions representing the electron transfer system, the carbon reduction cycle and starch and sucrose synthesis according to the model of Laisk and Walker [Proc R Soc Lond 227, 281–302 (1986)]. The model is formulated as a set of non-linear differential equations using mass-action kinetics, and stimulated for transient behaviour using an interactive simulation language. The model responses to switched light demonstrate the existence of oscillatory behaviour, similar to that found experimentally in O₂ evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence, and explain known transient behaviour. The model is also used to investigate the source of oscillatory behaviour in the phosphate translocator, and other transient phenomena associated with the cyclic electron transfer system.Abbreviations PQ plastoquinone - PQH₂ plastoquinol - PC_red reduced plastocyanin - PC_ox oxidised plastocyanin - P_i ortho (inorganic) phosphate in chloroplasts - P_io inorganic orthophosphate in cytosol - TP triose phosphate - Ru5P ribulose-5-phosphate - RuBP ribulose bisphosphate - PGA phosphoglyceric acid - HP hexose phosphate - HP_o hexose phosphate-total sugar phosphate in cytoplasm - S starch - SU sucrose     

Microsequecing and cDNA cloning of the Calvin cycle/OPPP enzyme ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.6) from spinach chloroplasts

Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RPI) catalyses the interconversion of ribose-5-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate in the reductive and oxidative pentose phosphate pathways in plants. RPI from spinach chloroplasts was purified and microsequenced. Via PCR with degenerate primers designed against microsequenced peptides, a hybridisation probe was obtained and used to isolate several cDNA clones which encode RPI. The nuclear-encoded 239 amino acid mature RPI subunit has a predicted size of 25.3 kDa and is translated as a cytosolic precursor possessing a 50 amino acid transit peptide. The processing site of the transit peptide was identified from protein sequence data. Spinach leaves possess only one type of homodimeric RPI enzyme which is localized in chloroplasts and is encoded by a single nuclear gene. Molecular characterization of RPI supports the view that a single amphibolic RPI enzyme functions in the oxidative and reductive pentose phosphate pathways of spinach plastids.Abbreviations RPI ribose-5-phosphate isomerase - OPPP oxidative pentose phosphate pathway - CNBr cyanogen bromide - R5P ribose-5-phosphate - Ru5P ribulose-5-phosphate     

A novel fluorometric assay for ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase activity

ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase (ADPRase) hydrolyzes ADP-ribose to ribose-5-phosphate and AMP. The ADPRase activity have been assessed by coupling the reaction to alkaline phosphatase and colorimetrically measuring the amount of inorganic phosphate released from AMP that is one of the products of ADPRase. Another but less sensitive colorimetric method has been employed: the reaction mixture was treated with charcoal to adsorb the adenine-containing compounds such as AMP and ADPR and subsequently remaining ribose-5-phosphate was measured colorimetrically. However, the measurement of inorganic phosphate cannot be feasible to assay ADPRase in phosphate-containing samples and the determination of ribose-5-phosphate also is less sensitive. Here we develop a fluorescent assay for ADPRase that utilizes 1, N(6)-etheno ADP-ribose, a fluorescent analogue of ADP-ribose. This method measures fluorescent 1, N(6)-etheno adenosine that is produced by coupling the hydrolysis of 1, N(6)-etheno ADP-ribose to dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase. The fluorometric assay is comparable in sensitivity and useful for ADPRase assay in phosphate-containing samples.     

Multiplicity of interactions between dromedary hemoglobin and solvent components. A structural and functional study

The interaction of dromedary hemoglobin with various solvent components [2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid (CFA), 2,3-bisphospho-D-glycerate (glycerate-2,3-P2) and chloride] has been studied. 1. CFA greatly lowers the oxygen affinity of dromedary hemoglobin. 2. The oxygen-linked CFA binding sites are probably located in the deoxy derivative at the alpha cleft, while in the oxy form and in the presence of two other effectors (glycerate-2,3-P2 and chloride) additional, structurally and possibly functionally relevant binding site(s) should be considered. 3. Both CFA and glycerate-2,3-P2 stabilize the deoxy-like tertiary structure in the oxy derivative. 4. Chloride appears to be fundamental to obtain quaternary structural changes. 5. Interaction energy, retained in the protein when the three ligands (CFA, glycerate-2,3-P2 and chloride) are bound to the oxy form, favours intermediates not stable if only one or two allosteric effector(s) is (are) present on the protein. 6. The oxygen affinity appears to be related to both tertiary and quaternary structural changes, while cooperatively is largely invariant with solvent conditions. In conclusion, the functional properties of dromedary hemoglobin do not depend in any simple way on the variety of stabilized conformations.     

Some Properties of Fructose-l,2-cyclic Phosphates and Fructose-2-phosphates

Fructose- 1,2-cyclic phosphates(F-l,2-Ps) and fructose-2-phosphates(F-2-Ps) were synthesized according to the method of Pontis and Fischer and their properties toward acid hydrolysis were examined in detail. Fructopyranose-2-phosphate(Ep-2-P) showed exactly the same properties as those reported by Pontis and Fischer. On the other hand, a part of fructofu-ranose~2~phosphate(Ff-2-P) was converted into the acid-stable form during acid treatment and this substance increased progressively when the sample was stored at -20°C for a longer time. This acid-stable form resembled in its properties to the fructose phosphate obtained from UDP(2)-fructose by the action of nucleotide pyrophosphatase.

When treated with acid at room temperature, fructopyranose-l,2-cyclic phosphate(Fp-l,2-P) was almost completely hydrolyzed into fructose and inorganic phosphate, whereas only about 50% of fructofuranose-1,2-cyclic phosphate(Ff-l,2-P) was hydrolyzed into fructose and inorganic phosphate and the remainder was hydrolyzed into fructose-l-phosphate(F-l-P). On the other hand, when treated with acid at 100°C, 90% of both cyclic phosphates were hydrolyzed into F-l-P, and fructose and inorganic phosphate were formed only slightly.     

Phosphoglycerate mutase. Kinetics and effects of salts on the mutase and bisphosphoglycerate phosphatase activities of the enzyme from chicken breast muscle.

The steady state kinetics and effects of salts on chicken breast phosphoglycerate mutase have been examined. The enzyme can catalyze three phosphoryl transfer reactions: mutase, bisphosphoglycerate phosphatase, and bisphosphoglycerate synthase. The mutase rate was measured in the favorable direction (Keq = glycerate-3-P/glycerate-2-P approximately equal to 12) using [2T]glycerate-2-P as substrate. The bisphosphoglycerate phosphatase activity was studied in the presence of the activator, glycolate-2-P. The latter is an analog of the glycerate-P's and appears to act as an abortive mutase substrate. The kinetic pattern obtained with both activities is that of a ping-pong mechanism with inhibition by the second substrate occurring at a lower concentration than the Km value for that substrate. The kinetic parameters for the mutase determined in 50 mM N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-amino]ethanesulfonate (TES)/sodium buffer containing 0.1 M KCl, pH 7.5, 25 degrees C are: Km glycerate-2,3-P2, 0.069 micron; Km glycerate-2-P, 14 micron; Km glycerate-3-P approximately 200 micron; Ki glycerate-2-P, 4 micron. The kinetic parameters for the phosphatase reaction in 50 mM triethanolamine/Cl- buffer, pH 7.5, 25 degrees C are: Km glycerate-2,3-P2, 0.065 micron:Km glycolate-2P, 479 micron; Ki glycolate-2-P, 135 micron. The enzyme is sensitive to changes in the ionic environment. Increasing salt concentrations activate the phosphatase in the presence of glycolate-2-P by decreasing the apparent Km of glycerate-2,3-P2. The effects are due to the anionic component and Cl- greater than acetate greater than TES. The same salts are competitive inhibitors with respect to glycolate-2-P. With high levels of KCl that produce a 30-fold decrease in the apparent maximal velocity due to competition with glycolate-2-P, the Km of glycerate-2,3-P2 remains low. These observations lead us to postulate that each monophosphoglycerate substrate has a separate site on the enzyme and that glycerate-2,3-P2 can bind to either site. The binding of anions to one site of the nonphosphorylated enzyme allows an increase in the on and off rates of glycerate-2,3-P2 at the alternate site. Salts inhibit the mutase reaction. The Km of glycerate-2,3-P2 is increased as is that of glycerate-2-P. The effect on the Km of glycerate-2,3-P2 is attributed to an increase in the off rate/on rate ratio for glycerate-2,3-P2. The bisphosphoglycerate synthase reaction is shown to require added glycerate-3-P. The equilibrium between enzyme and glycerate-1,3-P2 is favorable (Kdiss less than or equal 7 X 10(-8) M) and suggests that in the absence of a separate synthase this reaction may have functional significance.     

Active site phosphohistidine peptides from red cell bisphosphoglycerate synthase and yeast phosphoglycerate mutase.

Bisphosphoglycerate synthase (glycerate-1,3-P2 yields glycerate-2,3-P2) and phosphoglycerate mutase (glycerate-3-P formed from glycerate-2-P) are both phosphorylated by substrates at a histidine residue forming covalent intermediates which have been shown to function in the phosphoryl transfer reactions catalyzed by these enzymes (Rose, Z. B., and Dube, S. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 4817--4822). We have phosphorylated bisphosphoglycerate synthase from horse red blood cells with [U-32P]glycerate-2,3-P2, digested with trypsin, and purified the phosphopeptide. The amino acid sequence of the phosphohistidine peptide has been determined to be: His-Gly-Gln-Gly-Ala-Trp-Asn-Lys. In like manner, a phosphohistidyl peptide has now been purified from yeast phosphoglycerate mutase, for which the amino acid sequence is known (Winn, S. I., Watson, H. C., Fothergill, L. A., and Harkins, R. N. (1977) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 5, 657-659). The amino acid composition of the phosphopeptide indicates that histidine-8 was phosphorylated. The sequence of this peptide is closely homologous with the active site peptide from bisphosphoglycerate synthase. In yeast phosphoglycerate mutase, the denatured phosphoenzyme hydrolyzes with a single rate constant of 2.02 X 10(-4) s-1 at pH 3, 45 degrees C. The relevance of these observations to the enzymatic mechanism is discussed.     

Ribose-5-phosphate biosynthesis in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii occurs in the absence of a pentose-phosphate pathway

Recent work has raised a question as to the involvement of erythrose-4-phosphate, a product of the pentose phosphate pathway, in the metabolism of the methanogenic archaea (R. H. White, Biochemistry 43:7618-7627, 2004). To address the possible absence of erythrose-4-phosphate in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, we have assayed cell extracts of this methanogen for the presence of this and other intermediates in the pentose phosphate pathway and have determined and compared the labeling patterns of sugar phosphates derived metabolically from [6,6-2H2]- and [U-13C]-labeled glucose-6-phosphate incubated with cell extracts. The results of this work have established the absence of pentose phosphate pathway intermediates erythrose-4-phosphate, xylose-5-phosphate, and sedoheptulose-7-phosphate in these cells and the presence of D-arabino-3-hexulose-6-phosphate, an intermediate in the ribulose monophosphate pathway. The labeling of the D-ara-bino-3-hexulose-6-phosphate, as well as the other sugar-Ps, indicates that this hexose-6-phosphate was the precursor to ribulose-5-phosphate that in turn was converted into ribose-5-phosphate by ribose-5-phosphate isomerase. Additional work has demonstrated that ribulose-5-phosphate is derived by the loss of formaldehyde from D-arabino-3-hexulose-6-phosphate, catalyzed by the protein product of the MJ1447 gene.     

Photoinduced quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in intact chloroplasts and algae. Resolution into two components

The light-induced decline of chlorophyll a fluorescence from a peak (P) to a low stationary level (S) in intact, physiologically active isolated chloroplasts and in intact Chlorella cells is shown to be predominantly composed of two components: (1) fluorescence quenching by partial reoxidation of the quencher Q, the primary acceptor of Photosystem II and (2) energy-dependent fluorescence quenching related to the photoinduced acidification of the intrathylakoid space. These two mechanisms of fluorescence quenching can be distinguished by the different kinetics of the relaxation of quenching observed upon addition of 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). The relaxation of quenching by addition of DCMU is biphasic. The fast phase with a half-time of about 1 s is attributed to the reversal of Q-dependent quenching. The slow phase with a half-time of about 15 s in chloroplasts and 5 s in Chlorella cells is ascribed to relaxation of energy-dependent quenching. As shown by fluorescence spectroscopy at 77 K, the energy-dependent fluorescence quenching essentially is not caused by increased transfer of excitation energy to Photosystem I. By analyzing the energy- and Q-dependent components of quenching, information on the energy state of the thylakoid membranes and on the redox state of Q under various physiological conditions is obtained.     

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase,other Calvin-cycle enzymes,and chlorophyll decrease when glucose is supplied to mature spinach leaves via the transpiration stream

The inhibition of photosynthesis after supplying glucose to detached leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) was used as a model system to search for mechanisms which potentially contribute to the sink regulation of photosynthesis. Detached leaves were supplied with 50 mM glucose or water for 7 d through the transpiration stream, holding the leaves in low irradiance (16 mol photons · m^–2 · s^–1) and a cycle of 9 h light/15 h darkness to prevent any endogenous accumulation of carbohydrate. Leaves supplied with water only showed marginal changes of photosynthesis, respiration, enzyme levels or metabolites. When leaves were supplied with 50 mM glucose, photosynthesis was gradually inhibited over several days. The inhibition was most marked when photosynthesis was measured in saturating irradiance and ambient CO₂, less marked in saturating irradiance and saturating CO₂, and least marked in limiting irradiance. There was a gradual loss of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) protein, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and chlorophyll. The inhibition of photosynthesis was accompanied by a large decrease of glycerate-3-phosphate, an increase of triose-phosphates and fructose-1,6-bisphospate, and a small decrease of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate. The stromal NADPH/NADP ratio increased (as indicated by increased activation of NADP-malate dehydrogenase), and the ATP/ADP ratio increased. Chlorophyll-fluorescence analysis indicated that thylakoid energisation was increased, and that the acceptor side of photosystem II was more reduced. Similar results were obtained when glucose was supplied by floating leaf discs in low irradiance on glucose solution, and when detached spinach leaves were held in high light to produce an endogenous accumulation of carbohydrate. Feeding glucose also led to an increased rate of respiration. This was not accompanied by any changes of pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase, or pyrophosphate: fructose-6-phosphate phosphotransferase activity. There was a decrease of phosphoenolpyruvate, glycerate-3-phosphate and glycerate-2-phosphate, an increase of pyruvate and triose-phosphates, and an increased ATP/ADP ratio. These results show (i) that accumulation of carbohydrate can inhibit photosynthesis via a long-term mechanism involving a decrease of Rubisco and other Calvin-cycle enzymes and (ii) that respiration is stimulated due to an unknown mechanism, which increases the utilisation of phosphoenolpyruvate.Abbreviations and Symbols C_i CO₂ concentration in the air space within the leaf - F_m fluorescence yield with a saturating pulse in dark-adapted material - F_o ground level of fluorescence using a weak non-actinic modulated beam in the dark - Fru1,6bisP fructose-1,6-bisphosphate - Fru1,6Pase fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase - Fru2,6bisP fructose-2,6-bisphosphate - IRGA infrared gas analyser - NAD-MDH NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase - NADP-MDH NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase - NADP-GAPDH NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PFK phospho-fructokinase - PFP pyrophospate: fructose-6-phosphate-phosphotransferase - 3-PGA glycerate-3-phospate - P_i inorganic phosphate - Ru1,5bisP ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate - Rubisco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase - triose-phosphates sum of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate This research was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 137).     

Characterization of starch breakdown in the intact spinach chloroplast

Starch degradation with a rate of 1 to 2 microgram-atom carbon per milligram chlorophyll per hour was monitored in the isolated intact spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplast which had been preloaded with ¹⁴C-starch photosynthetically from ¹⁴CO₂. Starch breakdown was dependent upon inorganic phosphate and the ¹⁴C-labeled intermediates formed were principally those of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway from glucose phosphate to glycerate 3-phosphate. In addition, isotope was found in ribose 5-phosphate and in maltose and glucose. The appearance of isotope in the intermediates of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway but not in the free sugars was dependent upon the inorganic phosphate concentration. Dithiothreitol shifted the flow of ¹⁴C from triose-phosphate to glycerate 3-phosphate. Iodoacetic acid inhibited starch breakdown and caused an accumulation of triose-phosphate. This inhibition of starch breakdown was overcome by ATP. The inhibitory effect of ionophore A 23187 on starch breakdown was reversed by the addition of magnesium ions. The formation of maltose but not glucose was impaired by the ionophore. The inhibition of starch breakdown by glycerate 3-phosphate was overcome by inorganic phosphate. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and ribose 5-phosphate did not affect the rate of polysaccharide metabolism but increased the flow of isotope into maltose. Starch breakdown was unaffected by the uncoupler (trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone), electron transport inhibitors (rotenone, cyanide, salicylhydroxamic acid), or anaerobiosis. Hexokinase and the dehydrogenases of glucose 6-phosphate and gluconate 6-phosphate were detected in the chloroplast preparations. It was concluded (a) that chloroplastic starch was degraded principally by the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and by a pathway involving amylolytic cleavage; (b) ATP required in the Embden-Meyerhof pathway is generated by substrate phosphorylation in the oxidation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to glycerate 3-phosphate; and (c) the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway is the probable source of ribose 5-phosphate.     

Metabolisms of Nucleosides in Bacteria

The mechanism of trans-N-ribosylation in Corynebacterium sepedonicum was investigated. Using the DEAE-cellulose colum chromatography, this enzyme activity was divided into two fractions. One cleaved uridine to uracil and ribose phosphate, and the other decomposed inosine into hypoxanthine and ribose phosphate, in the presence of inorganic phosphate. The ribose phosphate was isolated and crystallized.

Several analytical data indicated that the ribose phosphate was ribose-1-phosphate. These two enzyme fractions catalyzed the formation of nucleosides from ribose-1-phosphate and bases.

Most of bacteria, which had the activity to transfer N-ribosyl group between purine and pyrimidine, could synthesize the nucleoside from base and ribose-1-phosphate.     

“Sink” regulation of photosynthetic metabolism in transgenic tobacco plants expressing yeast invertase in their cell wall involves a decrease of the Calvin-cycle enzymes and an increase of glycolytic enzymes

Leaves on transgenic tobacco plants expressing yeast-derived invertase in the apoplast develop clearly demarcated green and bleached sectors when they mature. The green areas contain low levels of soluble sugars and starch which are turned over on a daily basis, and have high rates of photosynthesis and low rates of respiration. The pale areas accumulate carbohydrate, photosynthesis is inhibited, and respiration increases. This provides a model system to investigate the sink regulation of photosynthetic metabolism by accumulating carbohydrate. The inhibition of photosynthesis is accompanied by a decrease of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate and glycerate-3-phosphate, and an increase of triosephosphate and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. The extracted activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase and NADP-glyeraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase decreased. The activity of sucrose-phosphate synthase remained high or increased, an increased portion of the photosynthate was partitioned into soluble sugars rather than starch, and the pale areas showed few or no oscillations during transitions between darkness and saturating light in saturating CO₂. The increased rate of respiration was accompanied by an increased level of hexose-phosphates, triose-phosphates and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate while glycerate-3-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate decreased and pyruvate increased. The activities of pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase and pyrophosphate: fructose-6-phosphate phosphotransferase increased two- to four-fold. We conclude that an increased level of carbohydrate leads to a decreased level of Calvin-cycle enzymes and, thence, to an inhibition of photosynthesis. It also leads to an increased level of glycolytic enzymes and, thence, to a stimulation of respiration. These changes of enzymes are more important in middle- or long-term adjustments to high carbohydrate levels in the leaf than fine regulation due to depletion of inorganic phosphate or high levels of phosphorylated metabolites.Abbreviations Fru 1,6bisP fructose-1,6-bisphosphate - Fru 1,6bisPase fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase - Fru6P fructose-6-phosphate - Glc 1P glucose-1-phosphate - Glc6P glucose-6-phosphate - NADP-GAPDH NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - PFK phosphofructokinase - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PFP pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate phosphotransferase - PGA glycerate-3-phosphate - PK pyruvate kinase - Pi inorganic phosphate - Ru1,5bisP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate - Rubisco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase - SPS sucrose-phosphate synthase - triose-P triose-phosphates     

Regulation of purine utilization in bacteria. VII. Involvement of membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylase in the uptake and the base-mediated loss of the ribose moiety of nucleosides by Salmonella typhimurium membrane vesicles.

Although uridine and adenosine are converted by membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylases to ribose-1-phosphate (ribose-1-P) and the corresponding bases (uracil and adenine), only ribose -1-P is accumulated within Salmonella typhimurium LT2 membrane vesicles. In accordance with these observations, no uptake is observed when the vesicles are incubated with the bases or nucleosides labeled in their base moieties. The vesicles lack a transport system for ribos-1-P, since excess ribose-1-P does not inhibit the uptake of the ribose moiety of uridine. In addition, there is no exchange with preaccumulatedribose-1-P. Thus, uridine, rather than ribose-1-P, must serve as the initially transported substrate. The uptake of the ribose portion of uridine is coupled to electron transport, and the levels to which ribose-1-P are accumulated may be reduced by adding various bases to the reaction mixtures. The bases appear to inhibit the uridine phosphorylase reaction and/or cause an efflux of ribose-1-P from the vesicles. This loss of ribose-1-P reflects the accumulation of nucleosides in the external medium after being synthesized within the membranes. Synthesis of the nucleosides from intravesicular ribose-1-P and exogenous base proceeds even though the bases are not accumulated by the vesicles. Furthermore, ribose-1-P cannot significantly inhibit uridine phosphorylase activity unless the membranes are disrupted. These observations indicate that the membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylases may have a transmembranal orientation with their base and ribose-1-P binding sites on opposite sides of the membranes. Such an asymmetric arrangement of these enzymes may facilitate the uptake of the ribosyl moiety of nucleosides by a group translocation mechanism. Thus, nucleosides may be cleaved during the membrane transport process, with the resultant bases delivered to the external environment while ribose-1-P is shunted to the intravesicular space.