Energetics of Amino Acid Uptake by Vicia faba Leaf Tissues

The uptake of [U-¹⁴C]threonine and of (α-¹⁴C]aminoisobutyrate (α-AIB) by Vicia faba leaf discs is strongly pH dependent (optimum: pH 4.0) and exhibits biphasic saturation kinetics. Kinetics of α-AIB uptake at different pH values indicate that acidic pH values decrease the K_m of the carriers while the maximal velocity remains nearly unaffected. Similar results were obtained for both system 1 (from 0.5 to 5 millimolar) and system 2 (from 20 to 100 millimolar).

After addition of amino acids to a medium containing leaf fragments, alkalinizations depending both on the amino acid added and on its concentration have been recorded.

The effects of compounds which increase (fusicoccin) or decrease (uncouplers, ATPase inhibitors, high KCl concentrations) the protonmotive force were studied both on the acidification of the medium and on amino acid uptake by the tissues. There is a close relationship between the time required for the effect of these compounds on the acidification and that needed for inhibition of uptake.

Studies with thiol inhibitors show that 0.1 millimolar N-ethylmaleimide preferentially inhibits uptake by the mesophyll whereas 0.1 millimolar parachloromercuribenzenesulfonate affects rather uptake by the veins.

New evidence was found which added to the electrophysiological data already supporting the occurrence of proton amino acid symport in leaf tissues, particularly in the veins.

     

Proton/l-Glutamate Symport and the Regulation of Intracellular pH in Isolated Mesophyll Cells

Addition of l-[U-¹⁴C]glutamate to a suspension of mechanically isolated asparagus (Asparagus sprengeri Regel) mesophyll cells results in (a) alkalinization of the medium, (b) uptake of l-[U-¹⁴C]glutamate, and (c) efflux of [¹⁴C]4-aminobutyrate, a product of glutamate decarboxylation. All three phenomena were eliminated by treatment with 1 millimolar aminooxyacetate. In vitro glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) assays showed that (a) 2 millimolar aminooxyacetate eliminated enzyme activity, (b) activity was pyridoxal phosphate-dependent, and (c) activity exhibited a sharp pH optimum at 6.0 that decreased to 20% of optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 7.0. Addition of 1.5 millimolar sodium butyrate or sodium acetate to cell suspensions caused immediate alkalinization of the medium followed by a resumption of acidification of the medium at a rate approximately double the initial rate. The data indicate that (a) continued H⁺/l-glutamate contransport is dependent upon GAD activity, (b) the pH-dependent properties of GAD are consistent with a role in a metabolic pH-stat, and (c) the regulation of intracellular pH during H⁺/l-Glu symport may involve both H⁺ consumption during 4-aminobutyrate production and ATP-driven H⁺ efflux.     

Regulation of Apoplastic pH in Source Leaves of Vicia faba by Gibberellic Acid

Leaf discs of broad bean (Vicia faba L.), peeled on the spongy mesophyll side, rapidly altered the pH of the surrounding medium (apoplast). Using pH indicator paper appressed against the leaf, immediately after peeling, initial apoplastic pH was estimated to be 4.5. Changes in the apoplastic pH were measured with a microelectrode placed into a 100-microliter drop of an unbuffered solution (2 millimolar KCl, 0.5 millimolar CaCl₂, and 200 millimolar mannitol) on the peeled surface. Discs acidified the medium until the pH stabilized at about 5.0 (about 10 minutes). Acidification was inhibited by 50 micromolar sodium vanadate, an inhibitor of the plasmalemma H⁺-ATPase and attenuated by omitting the osmoticum or potassium ions from the medium. Fusicoccin (10 micromolar) greatly enhanced the rate of acidification. The presence of 0.1 to 1 micromolar gibberellic acid resulted in a slower rate of medium acidification. Gibberellic acid appeared to modulate the activity of the H⁺-translocating ATPase located at the plasma membrane of the mesophyll cells.     

Maize leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase : oligomeric state and activity in the presence of glycerol

Maize (Zea mays L.) leaf phosphoenopyruvate (PEP) carboxylase activity at subsaturating levels of PEP was increased by the inclusion of glycerol (20%, v/v) in the assay medium. The extent of activation was dependent on H⁺ concentration, being more marked at pH 7 (with activities 100% higher than in aqueous medium) than at pH 8 (20% activation). The determination of the substrate concentration necessary to achieve half-maximal enzyme activity (S_0.5) (PEP) and maximal velocity (V) between pH 6.9 and 8.2 showed a uniform decrease in S_0.5 in the presence of glycerol over the entire pH range tested, and only a slight decrease in V at pH values near 8. Including NaCl (100 millimolar) in the glycerol containing assay medium resulted in additional activation, mainly due to an increase in V over the entire range of pH. Glucose-6-phosphate (5 millimolar) activated both the native and the glycerol-treated enzyme almost to the same extent, at pH 7 and 1 millimolar PEP. Inhibition by 5 millimolar malate at pH 7 and subsaturating PEP was considerably lower in the presence of glycerol than in an aqueous medium (8% against 25%, respectively). Size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography in aqueous buffer revealed the existence of an equilibrium between the tetrameric and dimeric enzyme forms, which is displaced to the tetramer as the pH was increased from 7 to 8. In the presence of glycerol, only the 400 kilodalton tetrameric form was observed at pH 7 or 8. However, dissociation into dimers by NaCl could not be prevented by the polyol. We conclude that the control of the aggregation state by the metabolic status of the cell could be one regulatory mechanism of PEP carboxylase.     

Proton Fluxes Associated with Sugar Uptake in Vicia faba Leaf Tissues

Vicia faba leaf fragments bring the pH of their incubation medium to about 4.7, whatever the initial pH value. At this pH, addition of 20 millimolar sucrose causes a transient (20 to 40 minutes) alkalinization (0.05 to 0.10 pH unit) of the medium. The alkalinization is not observed in the presence of p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid which blocks the sucrose carrier involved in phloem loading without affecting the ATPase (Delrot, Despeghel, Bonnemain 1980 Planta 149: 144-148). Addition of 20 millimolar glucose, fructose, or 3-O-methylglucose induces weaker alkalinization than sucrose. Sequential additions of sugars show that: (a) sucrose- and hexose-induced proton fluxes are nearly saturated at 20 millimolar sugar (b) there is no competition between sucrose and hexoses for inducing proton influxes whereas (c) glucose and 3-O-methylglucose are competing for a common system.     

Transformation of Heat-Treated Clostridium acetobutylicum Protoplasts with pUB110 Plasmid DNA

Heat treatment of Clostridium acetobutylicum SA-1 protoplasts at 55°C for 15 min before transformation resulted in expression in this microorganism of the kanamycin resistance determinant associated with plasmid pUB110. No heat treatment, or heat treatment at 65 or 44°C for various time intervals, resulted in no kanamycin resistance transformants being recovered on selective kanamycin-containing regeneration medium. DNase plate assay indicated that treatment at 55°C for 15 min completely inactivated the DNase activity associated with SA-1 protoplasts. Treatment of protoplasts at 65 or 55°C for various periods under simulated transformation conditions had an inhibitory effect, although prolonged treatment at 55 or 44°C appeared to stimulate DNase activity. Inactivation of protoplast-associated DNase activity by heat treatment at 55°C for 15 min correlated with successful expression of kanamycin resistance and suggests that an extremely active, heatsensitive, protoplast-associated DNase may be a factor in the polyethylene glycol-induced transformation of C. acetobutylicum SA-1 protoplasts. Plasmid pUB110 DNA was isolated from C. acetobutylicum SA-1 kanamycin-resistant (Km^r) transformant cultures by a modification of the procedure used for C. perfringens plasmids. Detection of pUB110 DNA was possible only when diethyl pyrocarbonate was incorporated into isolation protocols to inactivate DNase activity. Restriction studies further verified the presence of pUB110 DNA in C. acetobutylicum SA-1 Km^r transformants.     

Photosynthesis by isolated protoplasts, protoplast extracts, and chloroplasts of wheat: influence of orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, and adenylates

Protoplasts, protoplast extracts (intact chloroplasts plus extrachloroplastic material), and chloroplasts isolated from protoplasts of wheat (Triticum aestivum) have rates of photosynthesis as measured by light-dependent O₂ evolution of about 100 to 150 micromoles of O₂ per milligram of chlorophyll per hour at 20 C and saturating bicarbonate. The assay conditions sufficient for this activity were 0.4 molar sorbitol, 50 millimolar N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-2-ethanesulfonic acid KOH (pH 7.6), and 10 millimolar NaHCO₃ with protoplast, plus a requirement of 1 to 10 millimolar ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and 0.2 to 0.5 millimolar inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) with protoplast extracts and chloroplasts. Protoplast extracts evolved approximately 6 micromoles of O₂ per milligram of chlorophyll before photosynthesis became largely dependent on exogenous Pi while photosynthesis by chloroplasts had a much stronger dependence on exogenous Pi from the outset.

Photosynthesis by chloroplasts from 6-day-old wheat plants under optimum levels of Pi was similar to that with the addition of 5 millimolar inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) plus 0.2 millimolar adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP). Either PPi or ADP added separately inhibited photosynthesis. When chloroplasts were incubated in the dark for 2 to 6 minutes, photosynthesis was strongly inhibited by 5 millimolar PPi and this inhibiting was relieved by including adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) or ADP (0.2 to 0.6 millimolar). Chloroplasts from 9-day-old wheat leaves were slightly less sensitive to inhibition by PPi and showed little or no inhibition by ADP.

Chloroplasts isolated from protoplasts and assayed with 0.3 millimolar Pi added before illumination have an induction time from less than 1 minute up to 16 minutes depending on the time of the assay after isolation and the components of the medium. In order to obtain maximum rates of photosynthesis and minimum induction time, NaHCO₃ and chelating agents, EDTA or PPi (+ATP), are required in the chloroplast isolation, resuspension and assay medium. With these inclusions in the isolation and resuspension medium the induction time decreased rapidly during the first 20 to 30 minutes storage of chloroplasts on ice. Requirements for isolating intact and photosynthetically functional chloroplasts from wheat protoplasts are discussed.

     

Seed dormancy in red rice : v. Response to azide, hydroxylamine, and cyanide

The activity of NaN₃ (0.5 millimolar), hydroxylamine-HCl (10-18 millimolar), and potassium cyanide (1 millimolar) as dormancy-breaking agents of dehulled red rice (Oryza sativa) is pH-dependent such that medium pH values favoring formation of the uncharged chemical species resulted in the highest germination percentages. There was no promotive effect of pH itself in the range of 3 to 10. The minimum contact times for maximum response (≥90% germination) to NaN₃, KCN, and NH₂OH-HCl are 8 hours at pH 4, 24 hours at pH 8, and 72 hours at pH 6 or 7, respectively, for exposure commencing at the start of imbibition. Dehulled seeds, imbibed first in water, show only slightly reduced germination when subsequently transferred to solutions of dormancy-breaking chemicals.

Intact seeds remain dormant in the presence of NaN₃, KCN, or NH₂OH-HCl unless partially dry-afterripened. The pH dependence of these chemicals is reduced in intact, afterripening seeds.

     

Effects of ethephon on aging and photosynthetic activity in isolated chloroplasts

Chloroplasts, isolated from the primary leaves of 7-day-old seedlings, were incubated in vitro at 25°C with 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) under light (0.16 milliwatts per square centimeter) and dark conditions. Ethephon at 1 micromolar (0.1445 ppm), 0.1 and 1 millimolar, or 5 microliters ethylene promoted the deterioration of chloroplasts, increased proteolysis, and reduced the chlorophyll content and PSI and PSII during 72 hours under both light and dark conditions. The decline in PSI and PSII occurred prior to a measurable loss of chlorophyll. The loss of photosynthetic activity affected by ethephon was initiated prior to 12 hours of incubation. After 24 hours in light, 0.1 millimolar (1.445 ppm) epthephon significantly reduced PSI and PSII and promoted the total free amino acid liberation in isolated chloroplasts. In darkness the rate of loss of PSI activity was about 50% of that in light. After 24 hours, in light at 1 millimolar epthephon, PSII activity was 55% of the control, yet nearly 90% of the chlorophyll remained, which indicates that the loss of thylakoid integrity was promoted by ethephon. Ethylene injected in the chloroplast medium at 5 microliters (0.22 micromolar per milliliter) reduced PSI by nearly 50% of the initial in 12 hours. In leaf sections floated in 5 microliters per milliliter suspension medium, a 36% loss of chlorophyll of the control in 36 hours was observed. Cycloheximide at 0.5 millimolar masked the effect of 1 millimolar ethephon and maintained the initial chlorophyll content during the 72 hour period.     

Fructokinase (Fraction III) of Pea Seeds

A second fructokinase (EC 2.7.1.4) was obtained from pea seed (Pisum sativum L. var. Progress No. 9) extracts. The enzyme, termed fructokinase (fraction III), was specific for fructose and had little activity with glucose. With fructose concentrations above 0.25 millimolar, there was strong substrate inhibition at the optimum pH (8.0) and also at pH 6.6. The apparent K_m values at pH 8.0 for fructose and glucose were 0.06 millimolar and 0.14 millimolar, respectively. The apparent K_m for Mg adenosine 5′-triphosphate (MgATP) was 0.06 millimolar and excess MgATP was inhibitory. Mg²⁺ was essential for activity but the enzyme was inhibited by excess Mg²⁺ or ATP. Mg adenosine 5′-pyrophosphate was also inhibitory. Activity was stimulated by the addition of monovalent cations: of those tested K⁺, Rb⁺, and NH₄⁺ were the most effective. The possible role of fructokinase (fraction III) is discussed.     

Electrical potentials in stomatal complexes

Guard cells of several species, but predominantly Commelina communis, were impaled by micropipette electrodes and potential differences measured that occurred between cell compartments and the flowing bathing medium. The wall developed a Donnan potential that was between −60 and −70 millivolt in 30 millimolar KCl at pH 7. The density of the fixed charges ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 molar; its dependence on pH was almost identical with the titration curve of authentic polygalacturonic acid. The vacuolar potential of guard cells of Commelina communis L., Zea mays L., Nicotiana glauca Graham, Allium cepa L., and Vicia faba L. was between −40 and −50 millivolt in 30 millimolar KCl when stomata were open and about −30 millivolt when stomata were closed. The vacuolar potential of guard cells of C. communis was almost linearly related to stomatal aperture and responded to changes in the ionic strength in the bathing medium in a Nernstian manner. No specificity for any alkali ion (except Li⁺), ammonium, or choline appeared. Lithium caused hyperpolarization. Calcium in concentrations between 1 and 100 millimolar in the medium led to stomatal closure, also caused hyperpolarization, and triggered transient oscillations in the intracellular potential. Gradients in the electrical potential existed across stomatal complexes with open pores. When stomata closed, these gradients almost disappeared or slightly reverted; all epidermal cells were then at potentials near −30 millivolt in 30 millimolar KCl.     

Protection of Pyruvate,Pi Dikinase from Maize against Cold Lability by Compatible Solutes

Most C₄ species are chilling sensitive and certain enzymes like pyruvate,Pi dikinase of the C₄ pathway are also cold labile. The ability of cations and compatible solutes to protect maize (Zea mays) dikinase against cold lability was examined. The enzyme in desalted extracts at pH 8 from preilluminated leaves could be protected against cold lability (at 0°C) by the divalent cations Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺. There was substantial protection by sulfate based salts but little protection by chloride based salts of potassium or ammonium (concentration 250 millimolar). The degree of protection against cold lability under limiting MgCl₂ (5 millimolar) was pH sensitive (maximum protection at pH 8), but independent of ionic strength (up to 250 millimolar by addition of KCl). In catalysis Mg²⁺ is required and Mn²⁺ could not substitute as a cofactor. Several compatible solutes reduced or prevented the cold inactivation of dikinase (in desalted extracts and the partially purified enzyme), including glycerol, proline, glycinebetaine and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). TMAO and Mg²⁺ had an additive effect in protecting dikinase against cold inactivation. TMAO could largely substitute for the divalent cation and addition of TMAO during cold treatment prevented further inactivation. Cold inactivation was partially reversed by incubation at room temperature; with addition of TMAO reversal was complete. The temperature dependence of inactivation at pH 8 and 3 millimolar MgCl₂ was evaluated by incubation at 2 to 17°C for 45 minutes, followed by assay at room temperature. At preincubation temperatures below 11°C there was a progressive inactivation which could be prevented by TMAO (450 millimolar). The results are discussed relative to possible effects of the solutes on the quaternary structure of this enzyme, which is known to dissociate at low temperatures.     

Isolation of amyloplasts from developing maize endosperm

Methods for the formation of protoplasts from developing maize endosperm and for the aqueous isolation of intact amyloplasts from such protoplasts are described. Protoplasts were obtained after incubating endosperm slices in a medium containing cellulase and pectolyase for 5 days at 4°C or 5 hours at 30°C. After purification in a Ficoll density gradient, the protoplasts were reptured by forcing the suspension through a Nitex mesh (20 micrometer) positioned at the lower end of a modified disposable syringe. The resulting filtrate was layered on a discontinuous Ficoll density gradient of 30, 15, and 10%. Each Ficoll solution contained 0.7 molar sucrose, 10 millimolar arginine, 10 millimolar dl-dithiothreitol, 50 millimolar 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (pH 5.6), and 2 millimolar CaCl₂. After 3 hours in the cold, an amyloplast fraction 50 to 93% intact and free from cytoplasmic, mitochondrial, and glyoxysomal contamination was recovered in the 15% Ficoll layer. Amyloplast intactness was estimated by fluorescent microscopy and activity of certain amyloplast marker enzymes before and after rupture of the amyloplast membrane. Starch branching enzyme, ADPG-pyrophosphorylase, and nitrite reductase were used as amyloplast marker enzymes.     

Membrane Transport in Isolated Vesicles from Sugarbeet Taproot : II. Evidence for a Sucrose/H-Antiport

The process of sucrose transport was investigated in sealed putative tonoplast vesicles isolated from sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) taproot. If the vesicles were allowed to develop a steady state pH gradient by the associated transport ATPase and 10 millimolar sucrose was added, a transient flux of protons out of the vesicles was observed. The presence of an ATPase produced pH gradient allowed [¹⁴C]sucrose transport into the vesicles to occur at a rate 10-fold higher than the rate observed in the absence of an imposed pH gradient. Labeled sucrose accumulated into the sealed vesicles could be released back to the external medium if the pH gradient was dissipated with carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP). When the kinetics of ATP dependent [¹⁴C]sucrose uptake were examined, the kinetic profile followed the simple Michaelis-Menten relationship and a Michaelis constant of 12.1 millimolar was found. When a transient, inwardly directed sucrose gradient was imposed on the vesicles in the absence of charge compensating ions, a transient interior negative membrane potential was observed. This membrane potential could be prevented by the addition of CCCP prior to sucrose or dissipated by the addition of CCCP after sucrose was added. These results suggest that an electrogenic H⁺/sucrose antiport may be operating on the vesicle membrane.     

Isolation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate reductase from dunaliella chloroplasts and comparison with isozymes from spinach leaves

A dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) reductase has been isolated in 50% yield from Dunaliella tertiolecta by rapid chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. The activity was located in the chloroplasts. The enzyme was cold labile, but if stored with 2 molar glycerol, most of the activity was restored at 30°C after 20 minutes. The spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) reductase isoforms were not activated by heat treatment. Whereas the spinach chloroplast DHAP reductase isoform was stimulated by leaf thioredoxin, the enzyme from Dunaliella was stimulated by reduced Escherichia coli thioredoxin. The reductase from Dunaliella was insensitive to surfactants, whereas the higher plant reductases were completely inhibited by traces of detergents. The partially purified, cold-inactivated reductase from Dunaliella was reactivated and stimulated by 25 millimolar Mg²⁺ or by 250 millimolar salts, such as NaCl or KCl, which inhibited the spinach chloroplast enzyme. Phosphate at 3 to 10 millimolar severely inhibited the algal enzyme, whereas phosphate stimulated the isoform in spinach chloroplasts. Phosphate inhibition of the algal reductase was partially reversed by the addition of NaCl or MgCl₂ and totally by both. In the presence of 10 millimolar phosphate, 25 millimolar MgCl₂, and 100 millimolar NaCl, reduced thioredoxin causes a further twofold stimulation of the algal enzyme. The Dunaliella reductase utilized either NADH or NADPH with the same pH maximum at about 7.0. The apparent K_m (NADH) was 74 micromolar and K_m (NADPH) was 81 micromolar. Apparent V_max was 1100 μmoles DHAP reduced per hour per milligram chlorophyll for NADH, but due to NADH inhibition highest measured values were 350 to 400. The DHAP reductase from spinach chloroplasts exhibited little activity with NADPH above pH 7.0. Thus, the spinach chloroplast enzyme appears to use NADH in vivo, whereas the chloroplast enzyme from Dunaliella or the cytosolic isozyme from spinach may utilize either nucleotide.     

Characterization of GDP-Fucose: Polysaccharide Fucosyl Transferase in Corn Roots (Zea mays L.)

The peripheral root cap cells of corn (cv. SX-17A) secrete a fucose-rich, high molecular weight, polysaccharide slime via the dictyosome pathway. To study the synthesis of this polysaccharide, a technique for isolating and assaying GDP-fucose:polysaccharide fucosyl transferase activity was developed. Corn roots were excised from germinated seeds, incubated 12 hours at 10 C in water, and ground in 100 millimolar Tris or Pipes buffer (pH 7.0) with or without 0.5 molar sucrose. The membrane-bound enzyme was solubilized by sonication in the presence of 2 molar urea and 1.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 and assayed by monitoring the incorporation of GDP-[¹⁴C]fucose into endogenous acceptors. Optimum enzyme activity is expressed at pH 7.0 and 30 C in the presence of 0.8% (v/v) Triton X-100. The enzyme does not require divalent cations for activation and is inhibited by concentrations of MnCl₂ or MgCl₂ greater than 1 millimolar. Corn root cap slime will serve as an exogenous acceptor for the enzyme if it is first hydrolyzed in 5 millimolar trifluoroacetic acid for 60 minutes at 18 pounds per square inch, 121 C. This procedure prepares the acceptor by removing terminal fucose residues from the slime molecule. Kinetics of fucose release during hydrolysis of native slime and in vitro synthesized product suggests that the two polymers possess similar linkages to fucose.     

Properties of a Membrane-bound Phosphatase from the Thylakoids of Spinach Chloroplasts

A 3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase activity of about 2 micromoles per minute per milligram chlorophyll is associated with the thylakoid membranes of spinach chloroplasts. The K_m for 3-phosphoglycerate is 3 millimolar. The enzyme can be solubilized from thylakoid membranes by treatment with 0.33 molar MgCl₂ or sodium deoxycholate. The activity is not stimulated by sulfhydryl reagents or the addition of 10 millimolar MgCl₂. The enzymic activity is insensitive to ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The pH optimum is broad, between 5.5 to 7.5. Although the substrate specificity is broad, 3-phosphoglycerate is the best substrate of those tested at neutral pH. However, p-nitrophenyl phosphate was a more effective substrate at pH 5.5. The enzyme exhibits the general characteristics of an acid phosphatase.     

Histochemical Approach to Properties of Vicia faba Guard Cell Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase

Properties of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in guard cells dissected from frozen-dried Vicia faba L. leaflets were studied using quantitative histochemical techniques. Control experiments with palisade cells and whole leaflet extract proved that the single cell approach was valid. Most characteristics of enzyme activity in guard cells were identical to those in the leaflet extract. The activities were highly dependent on temperature, with maximum activity at 25 to 35 C. Half-maximum activity (with 1 millimolar phosphoenolpyruvate [PEP]) was observed at 0.1 millimolar Mg²⁺. Two-hundred millimolar NaCl inhibited the reaction by 50%. With frozen-dried leaflet extract, the apparent K_m(PEP) was 0.15 millimolar at pH 7.7; with guard cells, the values were 1.49, 0.5 to 0.8, and 0.24 millimolar in three successive experiments. Additional experiments showed that apparent K_m(PEP) of guard cell activity from plants within a single growth lot was reproducible and did not change during stomatal opening. Mixed extract experiments proved that soluble compounds were not responsible for the difference observed between leaflet and guard cell activities. The differences in apparent K_m(PEP) of guard cell activity could not be unambiguously interpreted. The physiological implications of the properties of this enzyme in guard cells are discussed.     

Enzymes of Krebs-Henseleit Cycle in Vitis vinifera L: III. In Vivo and In Vitro Studies of Arginase

Ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) activity was detected in extracts from mature leaves, fruit, germinating seeds, and seedlings of Vitis vinifera L. Michaelis-Menten constants for OCT were 3.5 millimolar for carbamyl phosphate and 5.5 millimolar for l-ornithine. Concentrations of l-ornithine greater than 10 millimolar slightly inhibited the enzyme, whereas carbamyl phosphate at concentrations greater than the optimal (about 10 millimolar) did not affect OCT activity. l-Citrulline formation was linear with incubation period for the first 25 minutes and with increasing amounts of enzyme up to an equivalent of about 200 milligrams of fresh tissue. The optimum pH for in vitro OCT activity was between 8.4 and 8.8, and the optimum incubation temperature was 38 C.     

Lemna paucicostata Hegelm. 6746: DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDIZED GROWTH CONDITIONS SUITABLE FOR BIOCHEMICAL EXPERIMENTATION

Photoautotrophic and mixotrophic growth of Lemna paucicostata Hegelm. 6746 (formerly Lemna perpusilla Torr. 6746) was investigated to establish standardized conditions for biochemical studies. Optimal temperature for growth was 29 to 30 C. The medium used previously (Datko AH, Mudd SH, Giovanelli J 1977 J Biol Chem 252: 3436-3445) was modified by inclusion of NH₄Cl, decreasing macronutrient and ethylenediamine tetraacetate concentration, increasing micronutrient concentration, and inclusion of bicarbonate (for photoautotrophic growth) or 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (for mixotrophic growth) buffers. Varying the sulfate concentration between 14 and 1 millimolar had no effect on growth. For photoautotrophic growth in the new medium (medium 4), the effects of CO₂ concentration, light intensity, and pH were measured. Under the optimal conditions, a multiplication rate (MR) of 300 to 315, equivalent to a doubling time of 23 to 24 hours was obtained. Addition of glutamine or asparagine did not increase this MR. For mixotrophic growth in low light, the effects of sucrose concentration and pH were determined. Under optimal conditions, MR was 210. A concentration of sucrose less than maximal for growth was chosen for the medium for experiments which will include ¹⁴C-labeling of intermediates. MR under these conditions was 184. Growth was equally good in medium 4 and in half-strength Hutner's medium when sulfate was high (0.4 to 1 millimolar), but better in medium 4 when sulfate was low (20 micromolar). Growth rates could be restored to normal in half-strength Hutner's with low sulfate by decreasing the molybdate concentration.