Effects of cyanide on the respiration of musk melon (Cucumis melo L.) roots

The characteristics of root respiration of melon were examinedwith an oxygen electrode. The Hofstee plot of root respirationbreaks into two straight lines. The results of cyanide inhibitionexperiments and curve-fitting analysis suggest that one cyanide-insensitiveand two cyanide-sensitive oxidases operate in melon roots. (Received December 24, 1976; )     

Ethylene induced cyanide resistant respiration in orchid petal cells

Respiration of isolated Aranda orchid petal cells increased markedly after cut flowers were treated with ethylene. An increase in respiration was observed 15 to 20h after treatment which was further enhanced in the presence of oxygen and ethylene. Ethylene induces the development of a cyanide resistant pathway in fully opened orchid flower tissues where the cyanide resistant capacity is negligible. However, there appears a shift back to the cyanide sensitive pathway some time after induction.     

The cyanide sensitivity of the residual respiration in Schizosaccharomyces japonicus

Abstract Schizosaccharomyces japonicus , a highly respiratory deficient yeast species, contains two terminal oxidase systems. One is highly sensitive to cyanide like the main terminal oxidase system of respiratory sufficient yeasts. The alternative system is hardly sensitive to cyanide like the usual terminal oxidase system of other respiratory deficient yeasts, and such as that found in respiratory sufficient yeasts besides the sensitive system. The order of magnitude of each system in Sch. japonicus is only a few μ l O₂· (mg dry biomass)⁻¹· h⁻¹, the insensitive system having the lowest activity. As a result the alternative system may pass unnoticed. This situation may be unique among yeasts.