A study of the in-vitro regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from the epidermis of Commelina communis by malate and glucose-6-phosphate

Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase activity in epidermal extracts of Commelina communis has been compared in the presence of malate and glucose-6-phosphate. The activity of PEP carboxylase was inhibited by increasing malate concentrations at several substrate (PEP) concentrations and changes in both the apparent K_m (PEP) and V_max values in the presence of malate suggested the occurence of mixed-type inhibiton. In the presence of glucose-6-phosphate no increase in enzyme activity was observed, although there was a slight decrease in the K_m (PEP). However, glucose-6-phosphate appeared to alleviate the inhibition caused by malate. The possible implications of these properties in the control of malate production in guard cells is discussed.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - Glc6P glucose-6-phosphate