Red/far-red modulation in vitro of enzyme activity in a membrane fraction from Phaseolus aureus

In a membrane fraction isolated from hypocotyls of Phaseolus aureus Roxb. the activity of a number of enzymes was regulated by red and far-red irradiation in vitro, provided that the tissue received a brief red light treatment before extraction. Other enzymes showed no photoregulation. There were two types of photocontrol, neither of which could be detected in the solute fraction, nor in extracts from completely etiolated material. One (Type I) was a red/far-red reversible regulation of the rate of enzyme activity, depending on the light given (in vivo or in vitro) before the assay was begun. The second (Type II) was a promotion of enzyme activity by red or far-red light given during the assay. The action spectra for type II responses do not coincide with either the phytochrome absorption or difference spectra. However, the effectiveness of red and far-red was correlated with the P_fr/P ratio present at the beginning of the assay, such that far-red was more efficient at high P_fr/P and red at low P_fr/P ratios. All enzymes that were regulated involved ATP. In samples that showed enzyme regulation, small changes in fluorescence yield of tryptophan and the covalent probe Fluram (Roche) accompanied the photoconversion of phytochrome, but no fluorescence changes could be measured after briefly incubating the membrane fraction with ATP. The results indicate that light may affect the interaction of ATP with the membrane fraction.Abbreviations F far-red light - P_r and P_fr phytochrome in the red and far-red absorbing forms - P_tot total phytochrome - R red light - RNP ribonucleoprotein     

Phytochrome and potassium uptake by mung bean hypocotyl sections

Uptake of potassium (K) and ⁸⁶rubidiumlabelled potassium (⁸⁶Rb) by sub-hypocotyl hook sections of Phaseolus aureus L. was inhibited by red light. The effect was reversible with far red light. Using short exposures of high irradiance the effect on ⁸⁶Rb-labelled K uptake was observed after 5 min. The response showed no specificity for a particular anion. Uptake of ⁸⁶Rb-labelled K by sections cut immediately below the cotyledons was enhanced by red light after 10 min incubation and was also far red reversible. These results are interpreted as a rapid phytochrome-induced change in membrane properties resulting in modified K uptake.Abbreviations P Phytochrome - Pr red absorbing form of P - Pfr far red absorbing form of P - R red light - F far red light     

Phytochrome and calcium ions are involved in light-induced membrane depolarization in Nitella

Isolated internodes of Nitella (N. opaca, N. flexilis) and Nitellopsis spec. were punctured with single microelectrodes and their membrane potentials were recorded continuously during various light treatments. In red light the initial response was always a depolarization. This depolarization began with a lag-time of 0.4-3.5s and reached a steady state within 1–2 min of continuous illumination. Repolarization began within several seconds after turning off the light. The magnitude of the red-light-induced depolarization increased with the Ca²⁺-concentration of the medium. The largest depolarizations were recorded in 5 m mol l^-1 Ca²⁺. Ca²⁺ could not be replaced in this function by Na⁺, Mg²⁺, La³⁺ or mannitol. Far-red light alone had no effect on the resting membrane potential. Far-red light applied immediately after red light accelerated the repolarization of the membrane potential. Far-red light applied simultaneously with red light reduced the amount of depolarization and increased the rate of repolarization. The results indicate that phytochrome and Ca²⁺ are involved in the light-induced depolarization of the membrane. They are consistent with the hypothesis that phytochrome may act by triggering a Ca²⁺-influx at the plasma membrane.Abbreviations APW artificial pond water - Pfr far-red absorbing form of phytochrome - DCMU 3-(3,4-Dichlorphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea     

Cation-activated ATPase activity of plasmalemma-enriched membrane preparations from maize coleoptiles

The ATPase activity present in plasmalemma-enriched preparations from maize coleoptiles shows an optimum at pH 6, a strong dependence on Mg²⁺, and is stimulated by K⁺ and other monovalent cations, both organic and inorganic. The activation of ATPase by K⁺ obeys Michaelis Menten kinetics, saturation being reached at 50 mM K⁺ concentration. K⁺, Mg²⁺-stimulated ATPase activity is strongly inhibited by N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and by diethylstilbestrol and, to a lesser extent, by octylguanidine.Abbreviations DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - DES diethylstilbestrol - DTE dithioerythritol - Ellmans r 5-5 dithiobis (2 nitrobenzoic) acid - FC fusicoccin - NPA naphthylphthalamic acid - OG octylguanidine - PCMBS p-chloromercuribenzensulphonate     

Phytochrome involvement in the induction of resistance to dark abscission by malformin

The active portion of the visible spectrum which is required for malformin to produce leaves which are resistant to dark abscission from cuttings of Phaseolus aureus is red light. Abscission resistance was partially to almost completely lost by far irradiation prior to dark incubation. Although Ethrel, an ethylene releasing compound, stimulated dark abscission of resistant and control leaves, resistance was not lost because control leaves always abscised at a greater rate. The participation of phytochrome in the induction of abscission resistance by malformin is indicated.Abbreviations Pfr far-red absorbing form of the phytochrome system - R red radiation - FR far-red radiation - D dark     

Auxin-stimulated ATPase in membrane fractions from pumpkin hypocotyls (Cucurbita maxima L.)

Membrane fractions from Cucurbita maxima hypocotyls were isolated in a medium which inhibits the action of endogenous phospholipases. After removal of soluble phosphatases by Sepharose 2B-CL column chromatography, an auxin-stimulated ATPase activity was found in membrane fractions from linear sucrose gradients. In the presence of 10^-4 M phenylacetic acid (PAA), the stimulation by indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) exhibited a bimodal concentration dependence with maximal stimulation of about 50% at 10^-6 M IAA. Without PAA, only a high concentration of 10^-4 M IAA was stimulatory, whereas 10^-6 M IAA had no apparent effect and 10^-8 M IAA exhibited weak inhibition. PAA alone had only weak or no effects. The effects of IAA must be considered as hormone-specific. The ATPase activity in the presence of 10^-4 M PAA was activated only by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), an active auxin analogue, but not by the inactive stereoisomers, 2,3-D and 3,5-D. Comparison with marker enzyme profiles suggested that part of the auxin-stimulated ATPase was localized on plasma membranes as well as other compartments. Thus, the auxin-stimulated ATPase may become a useful tool in the investigation of the mechanism of action of auxin.Abbrevations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2,3-D 2,3-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 3,5-D 3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indol-3-acetic acid - PAA phenylacetic acid - MES (2-(N-morpholino))-ethanesulfonic acid - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid     

Synthesis of an integral protein of the protein-body membrane in Phaseolus vulgaris cotyledons

Protein-body membranes (PBMs) were isolated from cotyledons of Phaseolus vulgaris L. by a procedure involving osmotic shock of purified protein bodies. The purified PBMs have a characteristic density of 1.16 g cm^-3. Treatment of the membranes with increasing concentrations of detergent (Triton X-100) or with a solution at pH 12.0 showed that the membranes contained a characteristic integral protein (IMP) with a relative molecular mass of 25,000. This IMP is not a glycoprotein. When developing cotyledons were labeled with ³H-amino acids for 2–3 h, a radioactive polypeptide with the same mobility on denaturing polyacrylamide gels as IMP was found to be associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). During a 24-h chase, a considerable portion of the radioactivity slowly transferred into the IMP associated with more rapidly sedimenting organelles, which sedimented in the same region of the sucrose gradients as the PBMs. Antibodies prepared against purified IMP crossreacted with an ER-associated protein which had the same mobility on denaturing acrylamide gels as authentic IMP. Synthesis of IMP occurred at all stages of cotyledon development examined, but not during seed germination. The results show that a newly synthesized protein of the PBM is associated with the rough ER, just like the soluble matrix proteins, phaseolin (R. Bollini, W. Van der Wilden and M.J. Chrispeels, 1983, J. Cell Biol. 96,999–1007) and phytohemagglutinin (M.J. Chrispeels and R. Bollini, 1982, Plant Physiol. 70, 1425–1428), but that the chase-out from the ER is much slower for IMP than for the matrix proteins.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediamino-tetraacetic acid - ER endoplasmic reticulum - IMP integral membrane protein - PB protein body - PBM protein-body membrane - PHA phytohemagglutinin - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

The action of divalen Zn,Cd, Hg,Cu and Pb ions on the ATPase activity of a plasma membrane fraction isolated from roots ofZea mays

The effects of the divalent metal ions Zn, Cd, Hg, Cu and Pb on the ATPase activity of a plasma membrane fraction isolated from roots ofZea mays have been investigated. When Mg-ions (3 mM), with or without K-ions (50mM) are included in the reaction medium, inhibition of ATPase activity was found in all cases, the relative order of the inhibitors over the concentration range 10 to 100M, being Hg>>CuCd>ZnPb. Below 1.0M only Hg caused substantial inhibition. In the absence of Mg ions, Zn and to a lesser extent Cd, activated the enzyme up to a concentration of 1 mM, activity being further stimulated in the presence of K-ions (50mM). No activation of ATPase activity was found for Hg, Cu or Pb. It was concluded that Zn-ATP and Cd-ATP are both alternative substrates for the enzyme. Further experiments showed that both K_m and V_max for the substrates Zn-ATP and Cd-ATP are very much lower than for the usual substrate Mg-ATP.These present results are discussed in relation to the known actions of these divalent cations on the trans-root potential and H-ion efflux in excised maize roots (Kennedy and Gonsalves, 1987).     

Evidence for phytochrome involvement in light-mediated stomatal movement in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Observations made with primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. demonstrated that phytochrome modulates light-induced stomatal movement. Removal of the far-red-absorbing form of the pigment (Pfr) with far-red (FR) radiation decreased the time required by the stomata to reach maximal opening following a dark-to-light transition; this effect of FR was fully reversible with red. Removal of Pfr with FR also decreased the time required to reach maximal closure following a light-to-dark transition, and the rate of closure was dependent on the final irradiation treatment before darkness. No evidence was found for phytochrome involvement in determining stomatal aperture under constant conditions of either darkness of light.Abbreviations and symbols Chl chlorophyll - D darkness - FR far-red - phytochrome photostationary state - Pfr, Pr FR- and R-absorbing forms of phytochrome, respectively - R red     

Dihydrozeatin riboside,a minor cytokinin from the leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Dihydrozeatin riboside has been identified in the leaves of decapitated bean plants by Sephadex LH20 chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The relationship between the cytokinins isolated and identified from this system and those previously reported in Phaseolus is discussed.Abbreviations DHZ dihydrozeatin - DHZOG dihydrozeatin-O--D-glucoside - DHZR dihydrozeatin riboside - GCMS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - GLC gas-liquid chromatography - TIC total ion current - TMS trimethylsilyl - Z zeatin - ZR zeatin riboside     

Cytochemical localization of plasma membrane ATPase activity in plant cells

Summary The cytochemical localization of ATPase activity has been investigated in maize root cells using both lead and cerium-based capture methods. With both methods, staining at the plasma membrane was observed in all cells of the root, although the precipitate obtained with cerium was more uniform and granular than that with lead. Controls using no substrate or no magnesium, -glycerophosphate to replace ATP, vanadate or boiled tissue generally showed little or no staining. However, biochemical studies on purified plasma membrane fractions showed that ATPase activity was markedly inhibited by fixation, particularly by glutaraldehyde, and also by lead and cerium ions. Non-enzymic hydrolysis of ATP by cerium was greater than that by lead. The value and limitations of these procedures for the localization of plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase activity are summarized in relation to previous criticisms of these methods.Abbreviations DTT dithiothreitol - EDTA ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid - GP B-glycerophosphate - PCMBS p-chloromercuribenzene sulphonic acid - PMSF phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride     

Phytochrome-mediated changes in the membrane potential of subepidermal cells of Lemna paucicostata 6746

Light-stimulated transmembrane potential changes have been measured continuously after implantation of microelectrodes into subepidermal cells of the short-day plant Lemna paucicostata 6746. Irradiation for 5 min with white or red light caused a transient hyperpolarization. These potential changes could be suppressed with 10^-6 M DCMU. Irradiation of DCMU-inhibited plants with far-red light for 5 min hyperpolarized the membrane potential, which thereafter was not changed by further far-red application. Consecutive red light irradiation for 5 min depolarized the membrane potential. The red/far-red reversibility of the potential changes (which could be repeated several times with a single plant) suggests the participation of phytochrome.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetate - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea - P_r, (P_fr) red- (far-red-) absorbing form of phytochrome     

Calcium-dependent membrane depolarisation activated by phytochrome in the moss Physcomitrella patens

In caulonemal filaments of Physcomitrella patens which had been preincubated in the dark for 24 h, irradiation with red light (640 nm, fluence rate 85 mol · m^–2 · s^–1) evoked (i) the development of side branch initials and (ii) a rapid, but transient, depolarisation of the plasma membrane by 90 ± 13 mV from a resting potential of -178 ± 13 mV. This was followed by a transient hyperpolarisation to a value 21± 8 mV more negative than the original membrane potential. The refractory period for the transient depolarisation was between 12 and 15 min. The fluence rate of red light required to evoke maximal depolarisation was about 80 mol · m^–2 · s^–1 for a 1-min pulse. At this fluence rate, a depolarising response could be recorded for pulse lengths as small as 7 s. The transient depolarisation was insensitive to 3-(3,4dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and was unchanged in plants bleached by growth on norflurazon (SAN 9789). Furthermore, the electrical response could be blocked by simultaneous application of far-red light. These results suggest the involvement of the photoreceptor phytochrome in the response. Removing Ca²⁺ from the external medium or replacing Ca²⁺ with Mg²⁺ blocked the depolarisation. The depolarisation could also be blocked by the K⁺ channel-blocker tetraethylammonium (10 mM) and the Cl^– channel-blocker niflumic acid (1 M). Conversely, although calcium channel-antagonists such as nifedipine and lanthanides, applied at a concentration of 100 M, also altered the response, they did not block it. A possible ionic mechanism for the membrane potential transient is advanced, and the physiological significance discussed in the context of early events in the phytochrome signalling pathway.Abbreviations [Ca²⁺]_c cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyt)-1,1-dimethylurea - TEA tetraethylammonium We thank Prof. David Cove (Department of Genetics, University of Leeds) for fruitful discussions, providing plants and advice on culturing methods, Dr. Richard Firn (York) for stimulating discussions, Ian Jennings (York) for technical advice on the electrophysiological apparatus, and Anna Bate (York) for looking after the plant cultures. Financial support was received from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Grant P87/4043 to D.S. and Grant PDF/14 to E.J.) and The New Phytologist Trust (studentship support to E.E.).     

Kinetic characterization of P-type membrane ATPase from Streptococcus mutans

The proton translocating membrane ATPase of oral streptococci has been implicated in cytoplasmatic pH regulation, acidurance and cariogenicity. Studies have confirmed that Streptococcus mutans is the most frequently detected species in dental caries. A P-type ATPase that can act together with F₁F_o-ATPase in S. mutans membrane has been recently described. The main objective of this work is to characterize the kinetic of ATP hydrolysis of this P-type ATPase. The optimum pH for ATP hydrolysis is around 6.0. The dependence of P-type ATPase activity on ATP concentration reveals high (K_0.5=0.27 mM) and low (K_0.5=3.31 mM) affinity sites for ATP, exhibiting positive cooperativity and a specific activity of about 74 U/mg. Equimolar concentrations of ATP and magnesium ions display a behavior similar to that described for ATP concentration in Mg²⁺ saturating condition (high affinity site, K_0.5=0.10 mM, and low affinity site, K_0.5=2.12 mM), exhibiting positive cooperativity and a specific activity of about 68 U/mg. Sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium ions stimulate the enzyme, showing a single saturation curve, all exhibiting positive cooperativities, whereas inhibition of ATPase activity is observed for zinc ions and EDTA. The kinetic characteristics reveal that this ATPase belongs to type IIIA, like the ones found in yeast and plants.     

A cytokinin glucoside from the leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Phaseolus vulgaris plants decapitated above the primary leaves accumulate high cytokinin activity. The major cytokinin in these leaves was identified by Sephadex LH 20 chromatography, sensitivity to -glucosidase and permanganate oxidation, and by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as 6-(4-O--D-glucosyl-3-methylbutylamino) purine, (dihydrozeatin-O--D-glucoside). A possible reason for the persistance of this compound in the primary leaves is discussed.Abbreviations BSA Bis-(trimethylsilyl)-acetamide - DHZ dihydrozeatin - DHZOG dihydrozeatin-O--D-glucoside - TMS trimethylsilyl - Z zeatin     

The influence of light quality on the phytochrome content of light grown Sinapis alba L. and Phaseolus aureus Roxb.

The effect on the phytochrome system of light regimes establishing a range of photoequilibria was studied in two light grown dicotyledonous plants, both of which were treated with the herbicide SAN 9789 to prevent chlorophyll accumulation. In Sinapis alba L. cotyledons the results are comparable with phytochrome behaviour in etiolated mustard seedlings; the level of Pfr becomes independent of wave-length whereas the total phytochrome level is wave-length dependent. Contrasting properties are exhibited in Phaseolus aureus Roxb. leaves in which total phytochrome is unaffected by light quality; consequently the Pfr level is dependent on wavelength. Nevertheless, the amount of phytochrome in mung leaves increased after transfer to darkness suggesting that light still has a profound influence on the phytochrome system, even though light quality during the light period and prior to darkness does not.Abbreviations FR far-red light - WL white light - PAR photosynthetically active radiation - Pfr far-red light absorbing form of phytochrome - Pr red light absorbing form of phytochrome - Ptot total phytochrome level (=Pr+Pfr) - Pfr/Pfr+Pr - SAN 9789 4-chloro-5-(methylamino) 2(,, trifluoro-m tolyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone     

Characterisation of a salt-stimulated ATPase activity associated with vacuoles isolated from storage roots of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Ion stimulation and some other properties of an ATPase activity associated with vacuoles isolated from storage roots of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) have been determined. The ATPase had a specific requirement for Mg²⁺ and in the presence of Mg²⁺ it was stimulated by salts of monovalent cations. The degree of stimulation by monovalent salts was influenced mainly by the anion and the order of effectiveness of the anions tested was Cl^->HCO ₃ ^- >Br^->malate>acetate>SO ₄ ^2- . For any given series of anions the magnitude of the stimulation obtained was influenced by the accompanying cation (NH ₄ ⁺ Na⁺>K⁺). This cation effect was abolished by 0.01% (v/v) Triton X-100 and it is suggested that it is the result of different permeabilities of membrane vesicles to the cations. There was no evidence of synergistic stimulation of the ATPase by mixtures of Na⁺ and K⁺. KCl- and NaCl-stimulation was maximal with salt concentrations in the range 60–150 mM. The true substrate of the enzyme was shown to be MgATP. It was shown that KCl stimulation was the result of an increase in V_max rather than a change in the affinity of the enzyme for MgATP. The ATPase was inhibited by N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, diethylstilbestrol, mersalyl and KNO₃ but other inhibitors tested (azide, oligomycin, orthovanadate, K₃[Cr(oxalate)₆] and ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide) were without effect or caused only partial inhibition at the highest concentration tested. The ATPase activity was equally distributed between pellet and supernatant fractions obtained after the subfractionation of vacuoles but the properties of the ATPase in each fraction were the same. It is suggested that beet vacuoles possess only one ATPase. The properties of the ATPase are compared with those of ATPases associated with other plant membranes and organelles and its possible role in transport at the tonoplast is discussed.Abbreviations ATP_F free ATP - ATP_T total ATP - BSA bovine serum albumen - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - DES diethylstilbestrol - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol - EDAC ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide - K_m apparent Michaelis constant - MgATP complex of Mg²⁺ and ATP - Mg _F ²⁺ free Mg²⁺ - Mg _T ² total Mg²⁺ - MES 2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid - Na₂EDTA disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - P_i inorganic phosphate - TCA trichloroacetic acid - Tris tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine - V_max maximum velocity     

Phytochrome photoreversibility: Empirical test of the hypothesis that it varies as a consequence of pigment compartmentation

Phytochrome of oat (Avena sativa L., cv. Garry) coleoptile cells in the red-light-absorbing form, Pr, is diffusely distributed while after conversion to the far-red-light-absorbing form, Pfr, it is observed only in very small areas within the cell. Comparison of phytochrome photoversibility measurements to the distribution of the pigment within the cell indicates that the spectral assay is not influenced by the observed compartmentalization of the chromoprotein. However, the observed compartmentalization of phytochrome is correlated with a loss in spectrophotometrically detectable Pr.Abbreviations Pr red-absorbing form of phytochrome - Pfr farred-absorbing form of phytochrome - R red light - FR far-red light C.I.W.-D.P.B. Publication No. 622     

Cytochemical localization of ATPase activity in phloem tissues ofRicinus communis

Summary Standard lead precipitation procedures have been used to examine the localization of ATPase activity in phloem tissues ofRicinus communis. Reaction product was localized on the plasma membrane of the companion cells associated with sieve elements and of parenchyma cells in phloem tissues from the leaf, petiole, stem and root. ATPase activity was also present on the plasma membrane and dispersed P-protein of sieve elements in petiole, stem and root tissue, but was absent from the plasma membrane of these cells in the leaf minor veins. Substitution of-glycerophosphate for ATP produced no change in the localization of reaction product in leaf tissue. These findings are discussed in relation to current theories on the mechanism of sugar transport and phloem loading.     

Ribonucleic acid synthesis by chromatin isolated from Phaseolus aureus Roxb.

Chromatin was isolated from the hypocotyls of Phaseolus aureus Roxb. and assayed for endogenous RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) activity in vitro. The molecular size of the RNA product, measured by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was found to be much smaller than that known to be synthesised in vivo and was affected by the assay temperature. Although conventional enzyme assays provided no evidence for the presence of ribonuclease in chromatin, a more sensitive technique revealed sufficient ribonuclease activity to degrade high-molecular weight RNA to smaller fragments. The inclusion of unlabelled exogenous RNA in the media for chromatin preparation and RNA polymerase assay substantially increased the molecular-weight of the RNA products synthesised in vitro.Abbreviations TCA trichloroacetic acid - UTP uridine-5-triphosphate - UMP uridine-5-monophosphate - SOS sodium dodecyl sulphate