Regulation of C4 photosynthesis: mechanism of activation and inactivation of extracted pyruvate, inorganic phosphate dikinase in relation to dark/light regulation

Requirements for activation of inactive pyruvate, inorganic phosphate (P_i) dikinase extracted from darkened maize leaves were examined. Incubation with P_i plus dithiothreitol resulted in a rapid recovery of activity comparable to that in illuminated leaves. However, contrary to previous findings, most of this activity (60–95%) was recovered by adding P_i alone. There was no activation with dithiothreitol alone. Dependency on dithiothreitol, in addition to P_i was minimal at about pH 7.5 but was substantial at higher pH. Anaerobic conditions did not enhance P_i-dependent activation. Active enzyme, isolated from illuminated leaves, was inactivated by incubating with ADP and this occurred in the presence of dithiothreitol. ATP and AMP were not effective but ATP may be a corequirment for ADP-dependent inactivation. Enzyme inactivated by ADP required P_i for reactivation. We conclude that interconversion of dithiol and disulfide forms of the enzyme is not critical for the dark/light regulation of pyruvate, P_i dikinase. The primary mechanism apparently involves an ADP-induced transformation to an inactive form which undergoes a P_i-mediated reactivation.