Photosynthetic carbon metabolism during leaf ontogeny in Zea mays L.: Enzyme studies

The activities of several enzymes, including ribulose-1,5-diphosphate (RuDP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) were measured as a function of leaf age in Z. mays. Mature leaf tissue had a RuDP-carboxylase activity of 296.7 mol CO₂ g^-1 fresh weight h^-1 and a PEP-carboxylase activity of 660.6 mol CO₂ g^-1 fresh weight h^-1. In young corn leaves the activity of the two enzymes was 11 and 29%, respectively, of the mature leaves. In senescent leaf tissue, RuDP carboxylase activity declined more rapidly than that of any of the other enzymes assayed. On a relative basis the activities of NADP malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), aspartate (EC 2.6.1.1) and alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2), and NAD malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) exceeded those of both PEP and RuDP carboxylase in young and senescent leaf tissue. Pulse-chase labeling experiments with mature and senescent leaf tissue show that the predominant C₄ acid differs between the two leaf ages. Labeling of alanine in senescent tissue never exceeded 4% of the total ¹⁴C remaining during the chase period, while in mature leaf tissue alanine accounted for 20% of the total after 60 s in ¹²CO₂. The activity of RuDP carboxylase during leaf ontogeny in Z. mays parallels the development of the activity of this enzyme in C₃ plants.Abbreviations RuDP ribulose-1,5-diphosphate - PEP phosphoenol pyruvate - PGA 3-phosphoglycerate     

Enzyme levels in relation to obligate phototrophy in chlamydobotrys

During the transition from photoheterotrophic growth on acetate to phototrophic growth on carbon dioxide, there is a decrease in isocitrate lyase and increase in ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity in Chlamydobotrys stellata cultures. The increase in ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity is the result of protein synthesis, there being a close correlation between increase in enzyme activity and protein precipitated by antibody to ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase. The purified ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase was similar to the constitutive enzyme from other green algae having a molecular weight of 530,000 and composed of two types of subunit of molecular weight 53,000 and 14,000.     

Specific inhibition of oxygenase activity of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase by hydroxylamine

Ribulose-1,5-diphosphate oxygenase activity of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase was completely inhibited by preincubation of the enzyme with 5mM hydroxylamine in presence of the substrate ribulose-1,5-diphosphate. Inhibition by hydroxylamine was uncompetitive with respect to ribulose-1,5-diphosphate and noncompetitive with respect to magnesium. Carboxylase activity was not affected by hydroxylamine. These results suggest that the two activities of the enzyme can be regulated differentially and that inhibiting the oxygenase activity does not stimulate the carboxylase activity of the enzyme. The data further suggest that the inhibition by hydroxylamine may be through its interaction with carbonyl groups of the enzyme exposed on the binding of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate to the protein.     

Evidence for in vivo Light-induced Synthesis of Ribulose-1,5-diP Carboxylase and Phosphoribulokinase in Greening Barley Leaves

When actinomycin D, puromycin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and cycloheximide, known inhibitors of protein synthesis, were applied to leaves of intact seedlings or detached leaves of barley prior to their greening, the same general response resulted: the light-induced increase in activity of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase was prevented while that of phosphoribulokinase was only partially suppressed; synthesis of chlorophyll was arrested. This is taken as preliminary evidence that de novo synthesis of protein may be responsible for the observed increase in ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity during greening. However, other factors may be involved with the light-induced stimulation of phosphoribulokinase.

Carbohydrate metabolites and substrates of the enzymes failed to induce the formation of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase and phosphoribulokinase in the dark. No evidence was found for the presence of inhibitors in etiolated seedlings or activators in illuminated leaves of barley. Carboxylase activity almost equal to that of the illuminated water control was stimulated by MgCl₂ in the dark; MgCl₂ had no effect on the activity of the kinase.

     

Metabolic regulation in Pseudomonas oxalaticus OX1

Metabolic control associated with diauxic growth of Pseudomonas oxalaticus in batch cultures on mixtures of formate and oxalate was investigated by measuring intracellular enzyme and coenzyme concentrations and Q _{O 2}values during transition experiments from oxalate to formate and vice versa. In transition from oxalate to formate oxalyl-CoA reductase concentration declined after the exhaustion of oxalate and ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation appeared upon addition of formate. In the reciprocal transition, ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation rate declined sharply after formate exhaustion, and oxalyl-CoA reductase appeared only after addition of oxalate. The intracellular NAD and NADP concentrations measured in the same experiments are reported. At substrate exhaustion the proportion of NAD in the reduced form fell from 15–20% to 2%. On addition of formate to an oxalate-starved culture there was an immediate increase in the proportion of NADH to 50%; such an increase was not observed in the reverse experiment.Abbreviations RuDP ribulose-1,5-diphosphate - HEPES 2-(N-2 hydroxyethylpiperazin-N-yl) ethane sulphonic acid     

Further proof for the catalytic role of the larger subunit in the spinach leaf ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase

The catalytically active oligomeric form of the larger subunit, A_m, obtained from spinach leaf ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase by pretreatment with p-mercuribenzoate at pH 7.5 followed by incubation at pH 9.0, was free of the smaller subunit based on C-terminal amino acid analyses. Valine was the predominant C-terminus of the A_m preparations, the release of tyrosine being negligibly small [cf. Sugiyama and Akazawa, $\text{Biochemistry}$ 9 (1970) 4499]. The pH optimum of the ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase reaction by A_m was about 8.5, in comparison to the native enzyme which showed an alkaline pH optimum only in the absence of Mg²⁺. The substrate saturation curve of the catalytic subunit with respect to bicarbonate followed the Michaelis-Menten equation, as contrasted to the anomalous reaction kinetics of the native ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase molecule reported previously. These overall results indicate that the allosteric properties of spinach ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase are possibly conveyed by a unique structural conformation that requires the presence of the smaller subunit in association with the larger catalytic subunit component of the enzyme molecule.     

Photosynthetic Response to Water Stress in Phaseolus vulgaris

Water stressed Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants were monitored to detect the relationships between net photosynthesis, transpiration, boundary layer plus stomatal resistance, mesophyll resistance, CO₂ compensation point, ribulose, 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity and leaf water potential. At full expansion, the first trifoliate leaves of greenhouse grown bean plants were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation. Gas exchange and enzyme activity of the central trifoliolate leaflets were monitored as leaf water potential decreased. Although increased stomatal resistance appeared to be the primary causal factor of reduced net photosynthesis, increased mesophyll resistance and decreased ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity further documented the role of non-stomatal factors.     

Variations in light energy dissipation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Woodfordia fruticosa</Emphasis> leaves during expansion

Young leaves of tropical trees frequently appear red in color, with the redness disappearing as the leaves mature. During leaf expansion, plants may employ photoprotective mechanisms to cope with high light intensities; however, the variations in anthocyanin contents, nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), and photorespiration during leaf expansion are poorly understood. Here, we investigated pigment contents, gas exchange, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence in Woodfordia fruticosa leaves during their expansion. Young red leaves had significantly lower Chl content than that of expanding or mature leaves, but they accumulated significantly higher anthocyanins and dissipated more excited light energy through NPQ. As the leaves matured, net photosynthetic rate, total electron flow through PSII, and electron flow for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate oxygenation gradually increased. Our results provided evidence that photorespiration is of fundamental importance in regulating the photosynthetic electron flow and CO₂ assimilation during leaf expansion.     

Limitations of Gas Exchanges in Intact Leaves during Ontogeny of Field-grown Chickpeas

The ontogenic changes in several component processes of photosynthesiswere measured in chickpeas. Gas exchange characteristics ofintact leaves were studied to analyse the effects of ambientconditions under which chickpeas are usually grown. The CO₂assimilation rate per unit leaf area remained fairly high duringthe vegetative stage, reaching a peak at early pod-fill anddeclining subsequently throughout pod development. The intercellularCO₂ partial pressure (C₁) remained more or less constant (195µbar) during vegetative growth and the early stages ofseed-filling. With falling RWC and PAR interception, the stomatalconductance declined more rapidly than the CO₂ assimilationrate resulting in a value of C₁ less than that normally existingunder ambient conditions. From the A/C₁-analysis, CO₂ assimilationduring pod-filling appears to be limited by the RuBP-regenerationcapacity because the carboxylation efficiency and in vitro RuBPCaseactivity were initially unaffected. However, as leaves aged,the carboxylation efficiency and in vitro RuBPCase activitydecreased abruptly with increasing leaf temperatures above 30°C, and the C₁ was greater than normally existing values(195 µbar), suggesting an increased mesophyll limitationof photosynthesis. It is suggested that a decline in the CO₂assimilation rate of leaves during pod development and an acceleratedsenescence are induced by adverse ambient conditions, particularlyplant water stress and high leaf temperature. Key words: Cicer arietinum L., gas exchange, photosynthesis, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase     

Chlorophyll Accumulation, CO2 Fixation Enzymes, and Hill Activity, in Greening Roots of Lens culinaris

The carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate was demonstrated in vitro with extracts of ctiolated seedling roots. The presence of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase was characterized in the subcellular fraction enriched in amyloplasts. Synthesis of chlorophyll, development of CO² fixation capacities and of Hill activity upon illumination have been studied with roots of Lens culinaris seedlings. The marked increases in CO² fixation with ribulose-1,5-diphosphate as the substrate and in Hill activity that occur after a lag phase seem to be related to cytological changes during the greening of roots.     

Antagonistic reactions of arginine and lysine against formaldehyde and their relation to cell proliferation,apoptosis, folate cycle and photosynthesis

¹H, ¹³C NMR, ESMS and MS/MS investigations proved that there is an antagonism in the spontaneous reaction of formaldehyde with L-lysine and L-arginine. L-Arginine can only be hydroxymethylated on the guanidino group in a very fast reaction forming mono-, di-, and trihydroxymethyl arginines (HMA). L-Lysine can be methylated on the -amino group forming mono-, di-, and trimethyl lysine on physiological pH. Hydroxymethyl arginines are relative stable, isolable products, and can also be formed in biological systems, especially in plants. Significant amounts of hydroxymethyl arginines were identified in the aqueous extract of lyophilized kohlrabi, which can be formed in photosynthesis during CO₂ fixation. ¹⁴C-Formaldehyde formed in a short-term (10, 30 sec) ¹⁴CO₂ fixation reaction in Zea mays L. (early maturity variety: Szegedi TC 277) was captured by L-arginine, which occurs in leaves in large amount. Formaldehyde formed during photosynthesis can react not only with the arginine, but with ribulose-1,5-diphosphate present in leaves. In model reactions formaldehyde can react with the ene diole group of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate in the absence of Rubisco enzyme, which is a similar reaction to the addition of formaldehyde to L-ascorbic acid. Hydroxymethyl arginines (HMA) are endogenous formaldehyde carrier molecules transferring the bound formaldehyde to thymidylate synthase enzyme system incorporating it into the folate cycle. HMA can also carry the bound formaldehyde to the cells especially to the tumorous cells (HT29 adenocarcinoma), and cause significant inhibition of cell proliferation and causes apoptosis.     

Development of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase in castor bean cotyledons

Light was not essential for the development of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase protein or catalytic activity in the photosynthetic cotyledons of germinating castor beans (Ricinus communis). Cotyledons developing in the dark showed higher activity than those in the light. Returning cotyledons developing in the light to darkness resulted in a significant increase in ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase activity compared to cotyledons in continuous light.     

The presence of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase in the nonphotosynthetic endosperm of germinating castor beans

Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase was detected in extracts of germinating castor bean (Ricinus communis var. Hale) endosperms. This is the first report of this enzyme in a nonphotosynthetic (no chlorophyll) plant tissue. Radioactive 3-phosphoglyceric acid has been identified as the principle product resulting from the enzymatic condensation of ¹⁴C-bicarbonate and ribulose-1,5-diP in endosperm extracts. The Km values of bicarbonate and ribulose-1,5-diP for the endosperm carboxylase are 1.14 × 10⁻²m and 7.5 × 10⁻⁵m, respectively. The carboxylase activity peaks at 4 days in endosperms of castor beans germinated in the dark. The specific activity of the carboxylase at this stage of germination is 4.3 μmoles of 3-phosphoglycerate formed/mg protein·hr. The presence of ribulose-1,5-diP carboxylase and other enzymes of the reductive pentose phosphate pathway show the potential of this pathway in castor bean endosperms.     

Activity of the tetramer and octamer of glutamine synthetase isoforms during primary leaf ontogeny of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

In extracts from the primary leaf blade of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) we separated a chloroplastic isoform (GS 2) of glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) and one or two (depending on leaf age) cytosolic isoforms (GS 1a and GS 1b). The latter were prominent in the early (GS 1a) and late stages of leaf ontogeny (GS 1a and GS 1b), whereas during leaf maturation GS 2 was the predominantly active GS isoform. The GS 1 isoforms were active exclusively in the octameric state although tetrameric GS 1 protein was detected immunologically. Their activity stayed at a relatively constant level during leaf ontogeny; an increase was observed only in the senescent leaf. The activity of GS 2, however, changed drastically during primary leaf ontogeny and was modulated by changes in the oligomeric state of the active enzyme. In the early and late stages of leaf ontogeny when GS 2 activity was low (lower than that of the GS 1 isoforms), GS 2 was active only in the octameric state. In the maturing leaf, when GS 2 activity had reached its maximum level (much higher than that of the GS 1 isoforms), 80 of total GS 2 activity was due the activity of the tetrameric form of the enzyme and 20 was due to octameric GS 2. Tetrameric GS 2 was a hetero-tetramer and thus not the unspecific dissociation product of homo-octameric GS 2. In addition, GS 2 activity was modulated by an activation/inactivation of the tetrameric GS 2 protein. Due to an activation of the GS 2 tetramer, the activity of tetrameric GS 2 increased during leaf maturation from zero level 23-fold compared with that of GS 1a and 18-fold compared with that of GS 1b. Possible activators of tetrameric GS 2 are thiol-reactive substances. During leaf senescence, GS 2 activity decreased to zero; this decrease was due to an inactivation of the tetrameric GS 2 protein probably caused by oxidation.Abbreviations FLL final lamina length - FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography - GS glutamine synthetase - GHA -glutamyl hydroxamate - Rubisco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase Dr. Roger Wallsgrove's (Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, UK) generous gift of GS antiserum is greatly appreciated.     

Carboxydismutase activity in plants with and without β-carboxylation photosynthesis

Summary A comparison was made of the activity of carboxydismutase (ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase) between higher plant species which possess the -carboxylation (C₄-dicarboxylic acid) pathway for photosynthesis and species which lack this pathway. Contrary to earlier findings no marked difference in the level of this enzyme was found between the two groups of species. Chloroplast-containing vascular-bundle-sheath cells which seem to be present only in plants with -carboxylation apparently contain relatively high carboxydismutase activity.C.I.W.-D.P.B. Publ. No. 453.     

Phosphoenolpyruvat-Carboxykinase und Ribulose-1,5-Diphosphat-Carboxylase von Laminaria hyperborea (Gunn.) Fosl.: Das Verteilungsmuster der Enzymaktivitäten im Thallus

Summary High activities of phosphoenolpyruvate-carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) have been found in fronds of the brown alga Laminaria hyperborea (Gunn.) Fosl. The distribution pattern of this enzyme in the newly formed and in the old phylloid (last year's production) and in the cauloid was investigated and compared with that of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39). Maximum activity of both enzymes is located in the growing region of the new phylloid. In the other parts of the frond, enzyme activity is only about one tenth of the values estimated for the intercalary meristem. The activity of PEP-carboxykinase: RuDP-carboxylase shifts from approxymately 9 in the growing region to only 3 in the old phylloid.

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Abkürzungen ADP Adenosin-5-Diphosphat - DTT Dithiothreitol - EDTA Aethylendinitrilotetraessigsäure - PEP Phosphoenolpyruvat - RuDP Ribulose-1,5-Diphosphat     

Properties of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase immobilized on porous glass

Ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase from spinach has been bound to arylamine porous glass with a diazo linkage and to alklamine porous glass with glutaraldehyde. Stability at elevated temperatures and responses to changes of pH and ribulose-1,5-diphosphate, Mg²⁺, and dithiothreitol concentrations were not significantly different from the soluble enzyme, though stability at 4°C was somewhat improved.     

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase from plants adapted to extreme environments

The K_m and V_max of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase)in selenium absorbing plants (Astragalus flavus Barn., Astragalusrafaelensis Barn. and Stanleya pinnata Bril.) were similar toRuBPCase from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. tropic).The pH optima for RuBPCase activity was 8.0 for L. esculentumand A. flavus and 7.0 for A. rafaelensis and S. pinnata. TheActivation Energy (E) values for the enzymes were as follows:A.flavus (21.37), S.pinnata (19.85), A. rafaelensis (19.12)and L. escudentum (18.58). The energy of activation was higherfor the desert plants as compared to the tomato. The Arrheniusplot curves were linear to 50?C far the desert plants as comparedto 45?C for tomato. Enzyme kinetics of RuBPCase from halophytic plants (Salicorniapacifica Stand., var. utahensis (Tidestrom) Munz. and Salicorniarubra Nels.) indicated the enzyme was at least as sensitiveto NaCl concentrations as the enzyme from tomato. (Received November 9, 1976; )     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase of Anabaena sp.

The kinetic and molecular properties of cyanobacterial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, partly purified from Anabaena sp. ATCC 27893, show that it undergoes relatively slow, reversible transitions between different aggregation states which differ in catalytic activity. Sucrose gradient centrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveal three principal forms, with approximate molecular weights of 120 000 (M ₁), 240 000 (M ₂) and 345 000 (M ₃). The relative catalytic activities are: M ₁M ₂<M ₃. In concentrated solutions of the enzyme, the equilibrium favors the more active, oligomeric forms. Dilution in the absence of effectors shifts the equilibrium in favor of the M ₁ form, with a marked diminution of catalytic activity. This transition is prevented by a substrate, glucose-6-phosphate, and also by glutamine. The other substrate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺), and (in crude cell-free extracts) ribulose-1,5-diphosphate are negative effectors, which tend to maintain the enzyme in the M ₁ form. The equilibrium state between different forms of the enzyme is also strongly dependent on hydrogen ion concentration. Although the optimal pH for catalytic activity is 7.4, dissociation to the hypoactive M ₁ form is favored at pH values above 7; a pH of 6.5 is optimal for maintenace of the enzyme in the active state. Reduced nicotamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP), inhibit catalytic activity, but do not significantly affect the equilibrium state. The relevance of these findings to the regulation of enzyme activity in vivo is discussed.Abbreviations G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - 6PGD 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - RUDP ribulose-1,5-diphosphate - G6P glucose-6-phosphate - 6PG 6-phosphogluconate