Density-labelling evidence for the blue-light-mediated activation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase in Cucumis sativus seedlings

Evidence is presented which demonstrates that both acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) are synthesised in the hypocotyls of dark-grown gherkin seedlings. When blue light or cycloheximide treatment is given in the presence of ²H₂ O the buoyant density of the lyase is observed to be lower than the appropriate dark control. This effect is not found for the phosphatase, the buoyant density of which is unaffected by blue ligh. These data appear to be best interpreted as a blue-light- and cycloheximide-mediated activation of previously synthesised, inactivated phenylalanine ammonia-lyase.