Gibberellic Acid-stimulated de Novo Synthesis of a Particular Isozyme of Acid Phosphatase in Wheat Half-seeds

GA₃ stimulated incorporation of radioactive methionine intoan acid phosphatase isozyme possessing an isoelectric pH at4.0 (pI 4 isozyme). This effect of GA₃ was completely inhibitedby cycloheximide, but not by cordycepin. The results suggestthe existence of preformed mRNA coding for pI 4 isozyme in thewheat aleurone layer and the stimulation of its translationby GA₃. (Received April 7, 1981; Accepted July 1, 1981)     

alpha-Amylase Isozymes in Gibberellic Acid-treated Barley Half-seeds

The presence of multiple forms of α-amylase in gibberellic acid-treated embryoless barley half-seeds was demonstrated by separation on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex and isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. Two major α-amylase fractions (A and B), each consisting of two to three isozyme components, were purified. α-Amylase fractions A and B were distinguishable in their reaction patterns. The optimal pH of fraction A α-amylase was found to reside in the acidic side (pH 5.0), as was determined by analyzing the reducing sugars formed as well as the paper chromatographic detection of reaction products. At neutral pH, 6.9, fraction A exhibited weak amylolytic activity in forming maltose. The α-amylase activity in fraction A was markedly stimulated by heat treatment (70 C/15 minutes). Fraction B, constituting a major part of amylases in the endosperm extract, was also found to be composed of α-amylase, as evidenced by the loss of enzyme activity upon allowing fractions A and B to stand at pH 3.3 for a prolonged period. The possible physiological function of the two different types of α-amylase in the carbohydrate breakdown of barley seeds is discussed.     

The Ultracytochemical Localzation of Acid Phosphatase Activity in Wheat During Fertilization

No acid phosphatase activity was observed in the mature embryo sac of wheat (Triticum aestivum) except the chalazal cytoplasm Of the central cell before fertilization. During fertilization, acid phosphataseactivity was observed in the following loci: part of chromatin of the egg nucleus and most of the mitochondria in the egg cytoplasm; the perinuclear spaces of the egg and sperm nuclei at the fusion of the egg and sperm nuclei; the chalazal cytoplasm and some vacuoles of the degenerated synergid; two sperm nuclei within the cytoplasm of female cells; the cell wall of each cell of the embryo sac and that of the nucellar cells surrounding the embryo sac. No acid phosphatase was observed in the two-celled proembryo. Dense enzyme reaction product was localized in the chromatin of the free nuclei at early stage of the endosperm. The characteristic of acid phosphatase distribution during fertilization may be associated with the physiological change of the egg Cell, the reorganization of mitochondria in the egg cell cytoplasm, the degeneration of one of the two synergids, the physiological state of the sperm nuclei and the nuclear membrane fusion of the egg and sperm nuclei.     

Purification and Characterization of a Potato Tuber Acid Phosphatase Having Significant Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase Activity

The major acid phosphatase (APase) from potato (Solanum tuberosom L. cv Chiefton) tubers has been purified 2289-fold to near homogeneity and a final O-phospho-L-tyrosine (P-Tyr) hydrolyzing specific activity of 1917 [mu]mol Pi produced min-1 mg-1 of protein. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the final preparation resolved a single protein-staining band that co-migrated with APase activity. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, glycosylated polypeptides of 57 and 55 kD were observed. The two polypeptides are immunologically closely related, since both proteins cross-reacted on immunoblots probed with rabbit anti-(Brassica nigra APase) immunoglobulin G. Immunoblotting studies revealed that the 55-kD subunit did not arise via proteolytic cleavage of the 57-kD subunit after tissue extraction. The native molecular mass was approximately 100 kD, suggesting that the holoenzyme could exist as either a homodimer or a heterodimer. The enzyme displayed a pH optimum of 5.8, was activated 40% by 4 mM Mg2+, and was potently inhibited by molybdate, vanadate, and ZnCl2. The final preparation displayed the highest activity and specificity constant with P-Tyr, but also dephosphorylated other phosphomonoesters including p-nitrophenylphosphate, O-phospho-L-serine, phosphoenolpyruvate, PPi, and ATP. Antibodies to P-Tyr were used to demonstrate that several endogenous phosphotyrosylated tuber polypeptides could serve as in vitro substrates for the purified APase. Although the precise physiological significance of the potato APase's substantial in vitro activity with P-Tyr remains obscure, the possibility that this APase may function to dephosphorylate certain protein-located P-Tyr residues in vivo is suggested.     

Inhibition of Gibberellic Acid-induced Elongation in Avena Stem Segments by a Substituted Pyrimidine

Avena stem segments, which respond with high amplitude, specificity, and sensitivity to gibberellic acid, were used to study the inhibition of gibberellin-induced elongation by the growth retardant alpha-cyclopropyl-alpha-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidine methanol (EL-531). It was found that EL-531 strongly inhibits gibberellic acid-induced elongation in this system at a concentration of 1 mm. From a double-reciprocal plot of elongation and gibberellic acid concentration, it seems that EL-531 and gibberellic acid do not compete reversibly for the same site of action. Also, because EL-531 effectively inhibits elongation in internodal tissue dissected away from the node and leaf sheath, it cannot be acting primarily by inhibiting the synthesis or transport of the leaf sheath factor(s). Because EL-531 causes lateral expansion of the stem segments as well as increased diameters of epidermal cells, in a manner very similar to the effects of colchicine, it is suggested that EL-531 inhibits gibberellic acid-induced elongation by somehow interfering with the orientation of the products of cell wall synthesis.     

Gibberellic Acid Controls the Secretion of Acid Phosphatase in Aleurone Layers and Isolated Aleurone Protoplasts of Avena fatua

The role of gibberellic acid (GA₃) in controlling the secretion(across the plasma membrane) and release (through the cell wall)of acid phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.2 [EC] .) from Avena aleurone layershas been investigated. Evidence from this comparative studywith intact aleurone layers and isolated aleurone protoplastsreveals that the secretion of acid phosphatase is under GA₃control. The mechanism underlying secretion and release of theenzyme from aleurone cells is discussed. Key words: Avena fatua, Acid phosphatase, Aleurone protoplasts, Gibberellic acid, Secretion     

Effects of Gibberellic Acid on the Activation, Synthesis, and Release of Acid Phosphatase in Barley Seed

Acid phosphatase activity was present in unimbibed barley seed,but rose during incubation of embryoless half-seeds and isolatedaleurone layers, and was further increased by 10^–6 M gibberellicacid (GA₃). Release of total acid phosphatase activity fromhalf-seeds and aleurone layers was markedly enhanced by GA₃.Inhibitor studies with cycloheximide and actinomycin D suggestedthat de novo synthesis of acid phosphatase occurred followingimbibition. Gel nitration, electrophoresis, and [¹⁴C]leucineincorporation studies revealed that a single molecular formof acid phosphatase was present in dry seed, whereas on incubationtwo further forms arose. A proportion of the three molecularforms of the enzyme was synthesized de novo. Gibberellic acidstimulated activation, but not de novo synthesis, of all threemolecular forms of acid phosphatase. Although a small amountof one of the molecular forms was secreted in the absence ofGA₃, the presence of gibberellin greatly increased secretionof the same form of acid phosphatase.     

Increase in Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Cucumber Roots during Calcium Starvation

Alkaline phosphatase activity in cucumber roots increased withcalcium deficiency. However, acid phosphatase was scarcely affectedby the treatment. Re-addition of calcium not only suppressedthe continuous increase in alkaline phosphatase activity butalso reduced the already formed activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased with a deficiency ofcalcium, phosphate, minor elements and iron in this order. Eithercycloheximide or actinomycin D completely suppressed the increasein the activity caused by calcium deficiency. (Received April 16, 1981; Accepted July 17, 1981)     

Origin of the Genome Coding for the Activation of the pI 4 Isozyme of Acid Phosphatase in Germinating Seeds of Various Wheat Species

Acid phosphatase isozymes in ungerminated and germinated seedsof various species of wheat, including a monosomic series ofthe D genome, were analyzed by gel electrofocusing. The activationof a particular isozyme of pI 4 was observed only in the D-genomebearing species. In particular, the third chromosome of theD-genome seemed to be involved in this activation. ¹ Present address: Department of Biology, McGill University,Montreal, PQ, Canada. (Received November 7, 1981; Accepted December 28, 1981)     

Gibberellic Acid Sensitivity Determines the Length of the Extension Zone in Wheat Leaves

To test the hypothesis that gibberellic acid (GA) sensitivityaffects the length of the extension zone (LEZ) of leaf No. 1of wheat seedlings, we performed a gene dosage experiment usingRht dwarfing genes that condition GA insensitivity. We utilizednearly isogenic lines, at Rht-dosage levels of 0, 2 and 4 alleles.Anatomical markers (distances between successive stomates) wereused to infer the distribution of growth along the axis of theleaf. Interstomatal distance (ISD) and LEZ were inverse linearfunctions of Rht-dosage. The number of stomates matured perhour was independent of Rht-dosage. The relationship betweenISD and distance along the axis within the extension zone (EZ)was indistinguishable from linear. Rht-dosage did not affectthe slope of the regression of ISD against distance along theEZ. A-REST (AR; ancymidol, a potent GA synthesis inhibitor)reduced LEZ. Wild type was more sensitive to AR than doubledwarf. AR affected growth of leaf No. 1 more than length ofthe coleoptile, regardless of Rht-dosage. AR-dosage affectedcell division, whereas Rht-dosage did not. Extension zone, elongation, gibberellic acid, Rht, wheat, Triticum aesiivum L.     

Ultrastructural Localization of Acid Phosphatase Activity in Soybean Cotyledon Cells

In the cotyledon cells of the developing seeds (35～50 d after flowering) and the early germinating seeds (4 ～ 8 d after sowing) of soybean (Glycine max L. ), acid phosphatase (APase) activity was mainly deposited in the protein bodies (PB) and in endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition, in the early developing cotylendon cells, the prominent reaction product of APase activity was seen along the plasma membrane, in the cell wall and within the vesicles in the cytoplasm adjancent to the plasma membrane. And some of the vesicles seemed to be fused with the plasma membrane.     

Fine Structural Changes in Barley Aleurone Cells During Gibberellic Acid-induced Enzyme Secretion

The fine structure of barley aleurone cells was studied in theenzyme secretion phase. An ultrastructural feature of this phaseis the formation of stacked rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER),for such a structure was never found in cells during the enzymesynthesis phase. Other structural features frequently observedin the secretion phase were amoeboid-shaped nuclei, the stackedrER wound round the nucleus and mitochondria, and a stream ofthe stacked rER directed to the plasmamembrane. Hordeum vulgare L, barley, aleurone cells, enzyme secretion, gibberellic acid     

Gibberellic Acid-induced synthesis of protease by isolated aleurone layers of barley

The production of protease by isolated aleurone layers of barley in response to gibberellic acid has been examined. The protease arises in the aleurone layer and is mostly released from the aleurone cells. The courses of release of amylase and protease from aleurone layers, the dose responses to gibberellic acid and the effects of inhibitors on the production of both enzymes are parallel. As is the case for amylase, protease is made de novo in response to the hormone. These data give some credence to the hypothesis that the effect of gibberellic acid is to promote the simultaneous synthesis and secretion of a group of hydrolases.     

水杨酸对陈化马铃薯切片交替途径活性的诱导作用

在马铃薯切片陈化过程中,总呼吸速率（Ｖｔ）和交替途径容量（Ｖａｌｔ）分别升高了５倍和２８倍,但交替途径在无ＫＣＮ存在下几乎不运行。用２０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的水杨酸处理陈化切片可引起总呼吸速率和交替途径容量的少量增加,但交替途径的运行却明显加强。水杨酸的这种促进作用在Ｐｅｒｃｏｌｌ纯化的线粒体中也有出现。马铃薯切片中交替途径运行的增加导致了线粒体呼吸控制比及ＡＤＰ／Ｏ的下降。这些都表明水杨酸对马铃薯切片陈化过程中抗氰交替途径的活性具有诱导作用。     

Gibberellic Acid Regulates Cell Wall Extensibility in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Mutations (Rht genes) blocking sensitivity to gibberellic acid (GA) were used to examine phytohormone mediated cell wall expansion in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Irreversible extensibility of immature leaf segments, as determined by stress/strain (instron) measurements, declined with Rht gene dose. Exogenous GA₃ significantly increased wall extensibility in the nonmutant controls but had no effect on the near-isogenic GA-insensitive genotypes. Furthermore, ancymidol, an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis, diminished wall extensibility in the nonmutant control. Extensibility of immature segments was highly correlated with mature leaf sheath length (R = +0.95). The results indicate that wall yielding properties of expanding wheat leaves are associated with leaf cell expansion potential and that GA is involved in the determination of those properties.     

Inhibition of Gibberellic Acid-induced alpha-Amylase Formation by Polyethylene Glycol and Mannitol

Both polyethylene glycol (PEG) and mannitol inhibit gibberellic acid-induced α-amylase production in barley aleurone layers. The effect of the osmotic solution is on enzyme synthesis rather than α-amylase secretion. The inhibition of α-amylase synthesis does not appear to be mediated via an indirect effect on respiration or protein synthesis. Rather it seems that the osmotic solutions reduce the extent of proteolysis of the stored aleurone grain protein thus making available less substrate for new protein synthesis.     

Localization of Acid Phosphatase Activity in the Basidia of Coprinus micaceus

Gill lamellae from the young fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Coprinus micaceus possess cytoplasmic particles with cytochemically demonstrable acid phosphatase activity; they are presumed to be lysosomes.