Characterization of a Maize Ca2+-Dependent Protein Kinase Phosphorylating Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) [EC 4.1.1.31 [EC] ] of plantsundergoes regulatory phosphorylation in response to light ornutritional conditions. However, the nature of protein kinase(s)for this phosphorylation has not yet been fully elucidated.We separated a Ca²⁺-requiring protein kinase from Ca²⁺-independentone, both of which can phosphorylate maize leaf PEPC and characterizedthe former kinase after partial purification. Several linesof evidence indicated that the kinase is one of the characteristicCa²⁺-dependent but calmodulin-independent protein kinase (CDPK).Although the M_r, of native CDPK was estimated to be about 100kDa by gel permeation chromatography, in situ phosphorylationassay of CDPK in a SDS-polyacrylamide gel revealed that thesubunit has an M_r of about 50 kDa suggesting dimer formationor association with other protein(s). Several kinetic parameterswere also obtained using PEPC as a substrate. Although the CDPKshowed an ability of regulatory phosphorylation (Ser-15 in maizePEPC), no significant desensitization to feedback inhibitor,malate, could be observed presumably due to low extent of phosphorylation.The kinase was not specific to PEPC but phosphorylated a varietyof synthetic peptides. The possible physiological role of thiskinase was discussed. ¹Present address: NEOS Central Research Laboratory, 1-1 Ohike-machi,Kosei-cho, Shiga, 520-3213 Japan. ²Present address: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135 Komakado,Gotemba, 412-0038 Japan. ⁴N.O. and N.Y. contributed equally to this work.     

Effects of Calmodulin Antagonists on the Mitochondrial and Microsomal Ca2$ Uptake in Apple Fruit

In apple fruit, active ATP-dependent microsomal Ca^2$ uptakeand respiration-dependent mitochondrial Ca^2$ uptake were observed. The mitochondrial Ca^2$ uptake was depressed by the calmodulinantagonists chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamidehydrochloride (W-7). The Ca^2$-ATPase from apple mitochondriawas also inhibited by CPZ or W-7. The apparent K_m value forCa^2$ in mitochondrial Ca^2$ uptake (K_m=0.35 mM) was similar tothat of mitochondrial Ca^2$-ATPase (K_m=0.32 mM). The inhibitoryeffect of W-7 on the activity of the mitochondrial Ca^2$ uptakewas closely correlated with the inhibition by W-7 of mitochondrialCa^2$-ATPase (r=0.996). These findings indicate that the mitochondrialuptake of Ca^2$ in apple fruit depends on the calmodulin-mediatedactivation of Ca^2$-ATPase. The microsomal Ca^2$ uptake was depressed by CPZ, suggestingthat the microsomal Ca^2$ uptake may also be modulated by calmodulin. ¹ Contribution No. C-72, Fruit Tree Research Station. (Received June 7, 1982; Accepted October 19, 1982)     

Auxin-Induced Changes in Protein Synthesis in the Abscission Zone of Bean Explants

Treatment of bean pulvinar explants with auxin significantlydelayed abscission. The pattern of protein synthesis in beanexplants that were treated with and without auxin was investigatedby labelling the pulvinar segments with [³⁵S]-methionine andanalyzing the polypeptides by one and two dimensional gel electrophoresis.One dimensional gel electrophoresis of labelled proteins revealedan increased synthesis of 63, 54 and 29 kDa polypeptides anddecreased synthesis of 60, 49, 30 and 23 kDa polypeptides inthe presence of auxin. Further analysis of proteins on two dimensionalgels revealed several differences in polypeptides between controland auxin-treated explants. These results provide evidence forthe alteration of protein synthesis by auxin in bean explantsand suggest that auxin delays abscission by regulating the synthesisof specific polypeptides. ¹Scientific Paper No. 7934, College of Agriculture and HomeEconomics Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman,Washington, Project 0321. ²Supported by National Science Foundation grant DCB-8502215to BWP (Received September 11, 1987; Accepted November 12, 1987)     

Stage-Specific Changes in Calcium-Regulated Protein Phosphorylation in Developing Tomato Fruits

The role of calcium and calmodulin in the in vitro phosphorylationof soluble and membrane proteins was studied in relation togrowth and development of tomato fruits. Calcium at micromolarconcentrations promoted the phosphorylation of both solubleand membrane proteins. The calmodulin antagonists, chlorpromazineand trifluoperazine, inhibited the phosphorylation of severalproteins. Qualitative changes were observed in the pattern ofprotein phosphorylation at different developmental stages. Therewas a general decrease in protein phosphorylation towards ripening.These results indicated that calcium may be involved in theregulation of phosphorylation of different proteins at differentstages of fruit development. ¹ Scientific Paper No. 7149, College of Agriculture and HomeEconomics, Washington State University, Pullman, Project 0321. ² Supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation.DCB-8502215. (Received May 14, 1985; Accepted September 12, 1985)     

Enzymic mechanism of starch breakdown in germinating rice seeds V. Sucrose phosphate synthetase in the scutellum

Some enzymic Properties of a partially purified preparationof sucrose phosphate synthetase (E.C.2.4.1.14) from germinatingrice seed scutella were studied. Examination of the reactionkinetics revealed that the rate of synthesis of sucrose phosphatefollows the Michaelis-Menten equation at an optimum PH of 7.5,having K_m of 25 mM for UDP-glucose, and of 4.9 mM for fructose6-phosphate. UDP inhibited the enzyme reaction competitively;K₁ of 3.3 mM. Fe⁺⁺ and Fe⁺⁺⁺ activated the enzyme reaction about2-fold; K_a, 0.3 mM and 2.0 mM, respectively. Co⁺⁺, Co(NH₃)₆⁺⁺⁺,Mg⁺⁺ and Mn⁺⁺ also activated the enzyme reaction. At high concentrationK⁺ activated the enzyme reaction with the maximum activationof 24% at 400 mM. The molecular weight and S_20,w value of theenzyme were determined as 4.5 ? 10⁵ and 10.4S, respectively. ¹Part IV of this series is Ref. (5). ²California Foundation for Biochemical Research Fellow (1973). (Received December 20, 1973; )     

Purification and Characterization of a Ca2+-Dependent Protein Kinase from the Halotolerant Green Alga Dunaliella tertiolecta

A Ca²⁺-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) that has been partiallypurified and characterized previously [Yuasa and Muto (1992)Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 296: 175] was further purified to about20,000-fold from the soluble fraction of Dunaliella tertiolecta.The enzyme preparation contained 60- and 52-kDa polypeptidesboth of which phosphorylated casein as a substrate. Both polypeptidesshowed a Ca²⁺-dependent increase in mobility during SDS-PAGEand ⁴⁵Ca²⁺-binding activity after SDS-PAGE and electroblottingonto a nitrocellulose membrane, suggesting that both the 60-and 52-kDa CDPKs directly bind Ca²⁺. The protein kinase inhibitors,K-252a and staurosporine, inhibited the CDPK competitively withrespect to ATP. An antibody raised against the 60-kDa CDPK crossreactedwith both the 60- and 52-kDa polypeptides. Both molecular specieswere autophosphorylated in the presence of Ca²⁺, and a highlyphosphorylated 80-kDa band appeared in addition to these phosphorylatedbands at 60 and 52 kDa in SDS-PAGE. However, the specific activityof CDPK was not changed by prior autophosphorylation when theautophosphorylated enzyme was assayed as a mixture of thesephosphorylated molecular species. Only the 60-kDa polypeptidewas immunodetected in subcellular fractions of Dunaliella cells.The 52-kDa polypeptide increased during storage of the enzyme.These results suggest that the 52-kDa polypeptide is a proteolyticartifact produced during purification. Immunoreactive bandsof 60-kDa were detected in extracts of several green algae butnot in extracts of higher plants or a brown alga. ¹This research was partly supported by Grants-in-Aid from theMinistry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan (No. 06454013and 06304023) and Research Fellowship of the Japan Society forthe Promotion of Science for Young Sciencists. ²Research Fellow (PD) of the Japan Society for the Promotionof Science.     

Malate Decarboxylation by Mitochondria of the Inducible Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Mitochondria isolated from leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinumoxidized malate by both NAD malic enzyme and NAD malate dehydrogenase.Rates of malate oxidation were higher in mitochondria from plantsgrown at 400 mil NaCl in the rooting medium and performing Crassulaceanacid metabolism (CAM) than in mitochondria from plants grownat 20 mM NaCl and exhibiting C₃-photosynthetic CO₂ fixation.The mitochondria isolated from plants both in the CAM and C₃modes were tightly coupled and gave high respiratory control.At optimum pH for malate oxidation (pH 7.0), pyruvate was themajor product in mitochondria from CAM-M. crystallinum, whereasmitochondria from C₃-M. crystallinum produced predominantlyoxaloacetate. Both the extracted NAD malic enzyme in the presenceof CoA and the oxidation of malate to pyruvate by the mitochondriafrom plants in the CAM mode had a pH optimum around 7.0 withactivity declining markedly above this pH. The activity of NAD-malicenzyme, expressed on a cytochrome c oxidase activity basis,was much higher in mitochondria from the CAM mode than the C₃mode. The results indicate that mitochondria of this speciesare adapted to decarboxylate malate at high rates during CAM. ¹Current address: Lehrstuhl für Botanik II, UniversitätWurzburg, Mittlerer Dallenbergweg 64, 8700 Würzburg, WestGermany. ²Current address: KD 120, Chemical Research Division, OntarioHydro, 800 Kipling Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M8Z5S4, Canada. ³Current address: Department of Botany, Washington State University,Pullman, Washington 99164-4230, U.S.A. (Received March 13, 1986; Accepted September 18, 1986)     

A Protein from Immature Raspberry Fruits which Inhibits Endopolygalacturonases from Botrytis cinerea and other Micro-organisms

A polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) was purified fromimmature raspberry fruits using ion exchange chromatography.The protein was composed of a single polypeptide chain withM_r of 38·5 kDa and a pI residing above pH 10. Kineticstudies suggested that the inhibition was of a non-competitivenature. The PGIP inhibited two endopolygalacturonases (endo-PG)purified from Botrytis cinerea and an endo-PG produced by Aspergillusniger to varying degrees but did not inhibit two exo-PGs purifiedfrom B. cinerea, bacterial endopectate lyases and bacterialendo-PGs. The concentration of PGIP at various stages of flowerand fruit development was determined. The inhibitor was notdetected in the flower, but reached a maximum of 69 units g^–1in the immature green fruit decreasing to 9 units g^–1as fruits matured. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence was determined. Key words: Polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein, Rubus idaeus, red raspberry, Botrytis cinerea, pectinases     

Membrane Fluidity in Senescing Apples: Effects of Temperature and Calcium

Fluorescence polarization values of 1,6-diphenyl-2,3,5-hexatriene(DPH) in microsomal membranes from cold stored (2?C) untreatedand calcium-treated apples were lower than those obtained inmembranes from apples stored at room temperature. Calcium treatmentof apples appeared to reduce the increase in polarization ofDPH in membranes which occurred after storing apples at roomtemperature. ¹Scientific Paper No. SP 6785, College of Agriculture and HomeEconomics, Washington State University, Pullman, Project 0321. ²Supported by Washington State Tree Fruit Research CommissionGrant to B.W.P. ³Calcium infusion process has been patented by B. W. Poovaiahand G. A. Moulton and assigned to Washington State UniversityResearch Foundation. United States Patent Number 4,331,691,issued May 25, 1982. (Received February 6, 1984; Accepted May 25, 1984)     

Control of Glutamate Dehydrogenase from Green Tobacco Callus Mitochondria by Ca2$ and pH

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (EC 1.4.1.3 [EC] .) purified from greentobacco callus mitochondria was activated markedly by Ca^2$ inthe amination reaction. This activation was detectable evenat concentrations below 5 µM Ca^2$. Saturation curves for the three substrates of the aminationreaction showed normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the presenceof 1 mM of Ca^2$, but pronounced substrate inhibition occurredwithout Ca^2$. The effect of Ca^2$ was chiefly on the maximalvelocity. The saturation curve for NH₄Cl in the presence of Ca^2$ was modulatedby a change in pH. The apparent K_m value for NH₄Cl markedlydecreased whereas that for -ketoglutarate increased slightlywhen the pH was raised from 7.3 to 9.0. In contrast, the K_mfor NADH was little affected by raising the pH. The characteristicof GDH which increases its affinity for NH₄Cl when the pH israised may be compatible with the detoxification of ammonia. ¹ Present address: Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Received August 24, 1981; Accepted November 28, 1981)     

ATP-Dependent Ca2+ Transport in Tonoplast Vesicles from Apple Fruit

Protoplasts and vacuoles were isolated from immature apple fruit(Malus pumila Mill. cv. Golden Delicious). ATP-stimulated Ca²⁺uptake was identified in both protoplast vesicles and tonoplastvesicles. The apparent K_m for Ca²⁺ of the tonoplast transportsystem was 43.4 µM. The pH optima were 7.2 and 6.7 forCa²⁺ transport by protoplast and tonoplast vesicles, respectively.Ca²⁺ transport in tonoplast vesicles was strongly inhibitedby the calmodulin antagonists fluphenazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-l-naphthalensulfonamidehydrochloride (W-7), while N-aminohexyl)-l-naphthalensulfonamidehydrochloride (W-5) was relatively ineffective. Addition ofexogenous calmodulin stimulated transport by 35%. Ca²⁺ uptakewas inhibited by vanadate, but not by the ionophores carbonylcyanidem-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) or valinomycin. The resultsindicate that apple tonoplasts have a Ca²⁺ transport systemthat is driven by the direct hydrolysis of ATP, and may be calmodulindependent. ¹Present address: Morioka Branch, Fruit Tree Research Station,Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shimokuriyagawa,Morioka 020-01, Japan. To whom reprint requests should be addressed. (Received October 18, 1985; Accepted January 29, 1986)     

The metabolism of L-[6-14C]ascorbic acid in detached grape leaves

Grape leaves (Vitis labrusca L.) that are removed from the positionopposite the flower cluster either 28 or 14 days before anthesiscleave L-ascorbic acid (AA) at the C4-C5 bond into a C₄ and,presumably, a C₂ fragment. Leaves taken from this position 14days after anthesis fail to cleave AA. The C₄ fragment is utilizedfor L(+)-tartaric acid (TA) biosynthesis while the C₂ fragmentis recycled into hexose and products of the hexose metabolism.When [6-₁₄C]AA is the source of the label, the sucrose-derivedglucose from labeled leaves has a distribution of ₁₄C in thecarbon skeleton as follows: Cl, 35%; C2, 14%; C3, 4%; C(4+5),13% and C6, 34%. The effect of inhibitors of the glycolate pathwayon [6-^l4C]AA metabolism is examined. ¹This work was supported by Grant No. GM-22427 from the NationalInstitute of General Medical Science, National Institute ofHealth, United States Public Health Service, Bethesda, Maryland.This is Scientific paper No. 5305, Project 0266, College ofAgricultural Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman,WA 99164, U.S.A. ²Present address: The Radioisotope Research Center, Kyoto University,Kyoto 606, Japan. (Received August 29, 1979; )     

Studies on the phosphomannose isomerase of Amorphophallus konjac C. Koch II. Effect of divalent metal ions on the EDTA-treated enzyme

Konjak phosphomannose isomerase was inactivated in a time-dependentprocess by metal binding agents, and the inactivated enzymewas instantaneously reactivated by adding such metal ions asZn⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Fe⁺⁺, Mn⁺⁺ and Cu⁺⁺. However, neither Ca⁺⁺ nor Mg⁺⁺were effective for reactivation. Zn⁺⁺, at a low concentration,brought about complete reactivation of the enzyme at pH 6–7. The EDTA-treated enzyme was more susceptible to heat denaturationwhen compared with the native enzyme, but the addition of variousmetal ions caused the recovery of the thermal stability of theEDTA-treated enzyme. The magnitude of the recovery dependedon the metal ion species and the concentrations. The most effectivemetal ion was Co⁺⁺, which caused the recovery of thermal stabilityto a level higher than that of the native enzyme. Phosphomannoseisomerase was inhibited by pchloromercuribenzoate and HgCl₂;the inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzoate being more pronouncedas incubation progressed. In contrast, the EDTA-treated enzymewas more readily inhibited by the mercurial ion than was thenative enzyme. Zn⁺⁺, when added to the EDTA-treated enzyme,markedly restored its resistance to the mercurial-induced inhibition.The metal-substituted enzyme was also inhibited by EDTA in atime-dependent process. ¹ This paper constitutes part 4 of studies on konjak mannanbiosynthesis. (Received March 3, 1975; )     

Membrane Potentials in Excitable Cells of Aldrovanda vesiculosa Trap-Lobes

The resting membrane potential in excitable cells of Aldrovandatrap-lobes is composed of diffusion and electrogenic potentials.The diffusion potential, about –100 mV in artificial pondwater, was determined from the external K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations.The permeability ratio, P_Na/P_K of the membrane was estimatedto be about 0.3. The electrogenic potential hyperpolarized themembrane to about –140 mV. The peak value of the actionpotential increased by +26 mV with a tenfold increase in theexternal Ca²⁺ concentration. The action potential was blockedby an application of the Ca²⁺ chelater or the Ca channel blocker,LaCl₃. Cells showed additional Ca²⁺ influx (7.8 pmole/cm² impulse)during membrane excitation. These facts suggest that the transientincrease in Ca²⁺ influx causes the action potential presentin cells of Aldrovanda trap-lobes. ¹ Present address: Jerry Lewis Neuromuscular Research Center,School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, LosAngeles, CA90024, U.S.A. ² Present address: Biological Laboratory, Kyoritsu Women's University,Hachioji 193, Japan. (Received September 21, 1983; Accepted September 7, 1984)     

Changes in Levels of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase with Induction of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.

Expanded leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. performingC₃ photosynthesis were induced to perform pronounced Crassulaceanacid metabolism (CAM) by exposing the plant roots to higherNaCl concentration. Levels of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylaseactivity increased 10-fold during the 7-day induction period.Densitometric analysis of Coomassie-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) polyacrylamide gradient slab gels of leaf extracts, preparedduring the course of CAM induction, revealed that at least fivebands of polypeptides increased in content (kilodalton valuesof 98, 91, 45, 41, 38). Higher levels of three additional polypeptides(kilodalton values of 102, 76, 33) became apparent after tissuehad been grown for 2 weeks at 400 mM NaCl. Of these polypeptides,that having a mass of 98 kilodaltons was identified as the subunitof PEP carboxylase by comparison with the corresponding bandfrom partially purified PEP carboxylase from the same tissue.Only a faint 98 kilodalton band was evident on SDS gels fortissue operating in the C₃ mode; staining intensity at thislocation increased with increasing NaCl-salinity in the rootingmedium until CAM was fully induced. These data provide evidencefor net synthesis of PEP carboxylase and several other proteinsduring the induction of CAM in M. crystallinum. ¹ Present address: USDA, P. O. Box 867 Airport Rd., Beckley,WV. 25801, U.S.A. ² Present address: Department of Botany, Washington State University,Pullman, Washington 99164, U.S.A. ³ Present address: Botanisches Institut der Universit?t, MittlererDallenbergweg 64, 8700 W?rzburg, W.-Germany. (Received October 27, 1981; Accepted March 15, 1982)     

Some properties of shikimate: NADP oxidoreductase produced in sweet potato root tissue after slicing

The activity of shikimate: NADP oxidoreductase [EC 1. 1. 1.25] in sweet potato root tissue increased soon after slicing.Enzyme preparations obtained from both sliced tissue and fromfresh tissue probably contained a single enzyme component, andthey showed identical chromatographical behaviour. K_m values of the enzyme for NADP and shikimate were 1.0x10^–4Mand 1.3 x 10^–3M, respectively. Enzyme activity was potentlyinhibited by SH-inhibitors such as p-chloromercuribenzoate andoxidized glutathione. Enzyme activity was affected neither by mononucleotides suchas ATP, ADP and AMP, divalent cations, Mg⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mn⁺⁺,nor by metabolites such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosineand t-cinnamic acid which are involved in aromatic compoundsyntheses. The enzyme rapidly lost its activity. This inactivation reactionshowed a time course consisting of two steps of the first-orderreaction. The inactivated enzyme preparation was not reactivatedby thiol compounds such as cysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol and glutathione,although these reagents, to a certain extent, protected theenzyme from inactivation. The results suggest that denaturationof the enzyme protein was involved in inactivation of the enzyme. ¹Part 74 of the phytopathological chemistry of sweet potatowith black rot and injury. ²Present address: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,Tokyo Metropolitan University, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. (Received August 5, 1968; )     

ENZYMIC FORMATION OF GLUTAMINE IN RICE-PLANT SEEDLINGS

1. Purified preparation from rice-plant seedling catalyses a stoichiometricreaction between ATP, glutamate, and NH₂OH in the presence ofMg⁺⁺ to form glutamyl hydroxamate, ADP and inorganic phosphate.
2. The method of purification and some of the properties of theenzyme are described. Co⁺⁺ can be substituted for Mg⁺⁺. Mn⁺⁺,NaF, and PCMB inhibit the enzyme strongly.
3. Inorganic orthophosphateis liberated from ATP by the additionof or cysteine in the presence of glutamate, Mg⁺⁺ andthis preparation. Glutamine was detectedin the reaction productsby paperchromatography.
4. The same preparation catalyses a reactionbetween gluta mineand NH₂OH in the presence of Mg⁺⁺ or Mn⁺⁺,ADP and inorganicphosphate, to form glutamyl hydroxamate.

¹ Present address: The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science,Kanazawa University, Kanazawa. (Received October 31, 1960; )     

Salicylic Acid Induces Extracellular Superoxide Generation Followed by an Increase in Cytosolic Calcium Ion in Tobacco Suspension Culture: The Earliest Events in Salicylic Acid Signal Transduction

Addition of salicylic acid (SA) to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)suspension culture immediately induced a rapid and transientgeneration of superoxide anion (O^–₂), followed by a transientincrease in cytosolic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c).The level of SA-induced O^–₂ was lowered by treatment withseveral scavengers of active oxygen species and a peroxidaseinhibitor, but not with an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. The SA-induced[Ca²⁺]_c elevation was also lowered by inhibitors which effectivelylowered the O^–₂ level. Inhibition of [Ca²⁺]_c elevationby Ca²⁺ channel blockers and a Ca²⁺ chelator indicated thatextracellular Ca²⁺ was responsible for the increased [Ca²⁺]_c.Among the several SA analogs, only compounds that actively inducedthe O^–₂ generation also elevated [Ca²⁺]_cIn addition, theinhibitory effects of SA analogs on catalase activity correlatedwell with their effects on the O^–₂ generation and the[Ca²⁺]_c elevation. SA-dependent O^–₂ generation was shownto occur extracellularly, requiring both H₂O₂ and at least oneproteinaceous factor excreted from the cells. This factor wasdetermined to be a salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive extracellularguaiacol-utilizing peroxidase. ⁴Present address: Isehara Research Laboratory, Kanto ChemicalCo., Inc., Suzukawa, Isehara, 259-1146 Japan.     

Enzymes involved in the last steps of the biosynthesis of mannitol in brown algae

Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.17 [EC] ) and mannitol-1-phosphatase(EC number yet unassigned) were detected in the brown algae,Spatoglossum pacificum and Dictyota dichotoma. The enzymes wereextracted from algal fronds and their properties were investigatedusing partially purified preparations. Mannitol-1-phosphatase shows maximum activity at pH 7. The enzymehad a narrow substrate specificity. The Km value for mannitol-1-phosphateis 8.3x10^–4 M (30°C, pH 7.0). The enzyme is activatedby Mg⁺⁺ and Mn⁺⁺and is strongly inhibited by PCMB, Hg⁺⁺and NaF. Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase showed maximum activitiesat pH values 6.5 and 10.2 in reductive and oxidative reactions,respectively. The dehydrogenase also showed narrow substratespecificity; mannitol-1-phosphate and NAD or fructose-6-phosphateand NADH₂ are utilized, respectively, in oxidative and reductivereactions by the enzyme. Km values for these substrates andthe coenzymes are 2.5x10^–4 M and 7.1x10^–5 M forthe first pair and 2.8x10^–4 M and 1.3x10^–5 M forthe latter pair. This enzyme was strongly inhibited by PCMBand Hg⁺⁺, but was only slightly affected by adenosine phosphates. Possible roles of these enzymes in the biosynthesis of mannitolin brown algae are discussed. ¹ Contributions from the Shimoda Marine Biological Station ofTokyo Kyoiku University, No. 233. This work was supported inpart by a Grant-in-Aid for Co-operative Research from the Ministryof Education, Japan and in part by a grant to one of us (T.Ikawa) from the Matsunaga Science Foundation. ² Present address: Chemical and Physical Laboratory, HoechstJapan Research Laboratory, Minamidai, Kawagoe, Japan. (Received February 22, 1972; )     

Specific binding of gibberellin A1 to aleurone grain fractions from wheat endosperm

A subcellular fraction enriched in aleurone grains isolatedin glycerol from aleurone layers of wheat endosperm specificallyand reversibly bound GA₁-(³H). Specific binding of GA₁ to otherfractions including spherosomes, nuclei, mitochondria, and plasmamembranes was negligible. The K_d of binding to aleurone grainswas 1.5 µM and the number of specific binding sites 0.45pmoles per mg protein. The presence of Ca⁺⁺ ions was absolutelyrequired for binding. Abscisic acid which inhibits giberellinaction in vivo prevented specific GA₁-binding in vitro. GA₁-bindingto aleurone grains is important to the primary action of thehormone which may involve mobilization of reserves from thealeurone grain-spherosome complex for utilization in membranebiogenesis. ¹ Present address: Section of Cytology, Yale University Schoolof Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, U.S.A. ³ Present address: Laboratoire de Biologie V?g?tale, Ecole NormaleSup?rieure, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231 Paris, France. (Received March 28, 1977; )