Plant Physiology

Stafford, H. A.; Galston, A. W.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.763pmid: 4993442

Abstract Isozymes of tobacco pith polyphenoloxidases (o-diphenol oxidase, EC 1.10.3.1) were separated electrophoretically from fresh pith of intact plants and from cultured pith sections. Extracts of fresh pith contained a poorly resolved complex of two to three anodic bands after starch gel electrophoresis at alkaline pH. This anodic complex was more active with chlorogenic acid than with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and was found in greater activity per gram fresh weight of tissue in younger internodes than in older ones. The longitudinal gradient of activity was thus the opposite of that found for the constitutive isozymes of peroxidase. A well defined cathodic band of polyphenoloxidase activity appeared after culture of pith in modified White's medium with shaking. This band, which was more active with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine than with chlorogenic acid, could be detected after 1 to 2 days of incubation. Its appearance was enhanced by the addition of 10 μm indoleacetic acid; kinetin (1 μm tended to prevent this indoleacetic acid effect). Such hormonal control is opposite to that previously reported for the rapidly appearing new isozymes of peroxidase. The pattern of the major isozymes associated with polyphenoloxidase activities differs from that of peroxidase. 2 Present address: Biology Department, Reed College, Portland, Oregon 97202. 1 Supported by grants to A. W. Galston from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Jaffe, M. J.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.768pmid: 5500205

Abstract Using pharmacological and chromatographic techniques, it was shown that acetylcholine was present in all organs of both light- and dark-grown mung bean seedings (Phaseolus aureus). The highest concentrations were found in tissues containing active growing points: buds and secondary roots. Within 4 minutes, red light caused an increase in the efflux of acetylcholine from secondary root tips as well as a significant increase in the endogenous titer. Four minutes of subsequent far red light reduced the latter to a level comparable to that in the dark. Acetylcholine, given for 4 minutes in the dark, was able to substitute for red light in reducing the formation of secondary roots, inducing increased H+ efflux, and causing the root tips to adhere to a negatively charged glass surface. Acetylcholine-esterase and atropine inhibited the latter phenomenon, whereas eserine inhibited the far red-induced release from glass. These and other data support the conclusion that acetylcholine functions in mung bean roots as it does in animal systems: by mediating changes in ion flux across cell membranes. It also seems probable that acetylcholine acts as a local hormone which regulates these phytochrome-mediated phenomena. 1 Supported by National Science Foundation Grant GB 7609. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Kaufmann, Merrill R.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.778pmid: 16657546

Abstract The tensile force existing in the pericarp of a growing citrus (Citrus sinensis) fruit 17 to 19 centimeters in circumference was sufficiently high to cause a 3% shrinkage of the pericarp when it was excised. When a fruit was cut along the equator to the central axis, shrinkage of the pericarp resulted in the formation of a wedge-shaped gap at the cut. Stretch modulus of the pericarp was determined by measuring the force required to stretch excised strips of tissue to 1% longer than their excised length. Measurements were made on successive layers of pericarp tissue 5 millimeters wide and 1 millimeter thick taken from the fruit equator. All layers required more force for extension at lower temperatures and high water potentials than at high temperatures and low water potentials. The stretch modulus ranged from 0.88 to 2.16 kilograms per square millimeter depending upon the layer, temperature, and water potential. The inner layers, consisting primarily of mesocarp, had stretch moduli only 60 to 70% as great as the outer layer which consisted of exocarp tissue. Measurements of the stretch modulus of tissues from the pericarp support the hypothesis that changes in the tension existing in the pericarp depend upon conditions in the pericarp and are not related to changes in volume or pressure in the juice vesicles. 1 Work supported by National Science Foundation Grant GB-7621. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Poulson, Rozanne; Beevers, Leonard

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.782pmid: 5500206

Abstract Illumination or gibberellic acid treatment of etiolated barley leaf segments stimulates unrolling and results in an increased level of RNA. In contrast, segments treated with abscisic acid do not unroll and have a lower content of RNA. Gibberellic acid treatment enhanced the capacity of segments to incorporate radioactivity from 32P-orthophosphate into all the RNA components detected by gel electrophoresis; abscisic acid greatly restricted the incorporation of precursors into all the RNA fractions. In conjunction with a changed capacity for RNA synthesis it was observed that abscisic acid-treated segments had a lowered soluble DNA-dependent RNA polymerase level in comparison to gibberellic acid-treated or illuminated segments. However, the influence of growth regulators on RNA polymerase content of the segments was associated with general effects on protein level rather than a specific effect on the synthesis of polymerase enzyme. Ribosomal preparations from gibberellic acid-treated segments had a greater percentage of polysomes and a greater capacity for amino acid incorporation in vitro into proteins than similar preparations from abscisic acid-treated segments. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Dollwet, Hellmar H. A.; Kumamoto, Junji

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.786pmid: 16657547

Abstract The response of pea seedlings (Pisum sativum var. Alaska) to ethyl propylphosphonate is similar to the effects of low levels of ethylene. Since ethyl propylphosphonate generates ethylene when exposed to oxygen in combination with a reduced metal ion, it seems probable that its plant growth-retardant properties are due to ethylene. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Craker, Lyle E.; Chadwick, Arthur V.; Leather, Gerald R.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.790pmid: 16657548

Abstract A 1-hour application of indole-3-acetic acid to bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Red Kidney) explants inhibited abscission for an 8-hour aging period. Use of indole-3-acetic acid-14C showed that the applied indole-3-acetic acid was conjugated within explant tissue and that this conjugation mechanism accounts for loss of effectiveness of indole-3-acetic acid in inhibiting abscission after 8 hours. Reapplication of indole-3-acetic acid to an explant at a later time, before the induced aging requirement was completed reinhibited abscission. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, which is not destroyed or conjugated by this system, did not lose its ability to inhibit abscission. It was concluded that indole-3-acetic acid destruction is one of the processes involved in the aging stage of abscission in explants. 1 Present address: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Massachusettes, Waltham, Massachusettes 02154. 2 Present address: Department of Biology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92701. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Mollenhauer, Hilton H.; Totten, Clara

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.794pmid: 16657549

Abstract Glyoxysomes, a form of microbody, are present in castor bean endosperm during the first 8 days of seed germination. They have a “typical” microbody form and are shown histochemically to contain catalase. The catalase label is distributed throughout the microbody and is not an exclusive feature of the crystalline or amorphous core. Castor bean endosperm contain a second cytosome, only slightly larger than the glyoxysomes, which is bound by a rough-surfaced membrane and which does not label for catalase. We have not observed these cytosomes in other tissues, suggesting that they may have a specific cellular function characteristic of castor bean endosperm. 1 Charles F. Kettering Contribution No. 383. This research was supported in part by United States Public Health Service Grant GM 15492. 2 “Studies on Seeds, I through IV” will appear in the Journal of Cell Biology. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Travis, R. L.; Huffaker, R. C.; Key, Joe L.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.800pmid: 16657550

Abstract Nitrate reductase activity was induced by nitrate in green corn (Zea mays) leaves in either light or darkness. The induction process required oxygen in darkness but not in light. A light treatment was required before the enzyme could be induced in etiolated leaves. The capacity for nitrate reductase induction by nitrate was positively correlated with the level of cytoplasmic polyribosomes under a variety of experimental conditions. (a) Light-grown leaves contained high levels of polyribosomes (84% of the total population, most of which were of the 80 S type); similarly high levels of nitrate reductase activity were induced. (b) The level of polyribosomes and the ability to form nitrate reductase activity rapidly decreased in light-grown leaves following transfer to an anaerobic environment in the dark; both parameters were maintained at a high level when light-grown leaves were kept in the light under anaerobic conditions. (c) The ability of light-grown leaves, previously placed in darkness under nitrogen to dissociate polyribosomes to monoribosomes, to form nitrate reductase activity again correlated with the level of reformed polyribosomes following transfer of the leaves back to light. (d) Etiolated leaves contained a low level of cytoplasmic polyribosomes (27%), and nitrate reductase activity was induced following exposure to light only after a lag of 2 to 4 hours. During this lag period there was a marked increase in the level of polyribosomes. The ability of leaves to form nitrate reductase activity and the level of polyribosomes also correlated with the level of in vitro incorporation of amino acids into protein by the isolated ribosome preparations. Thus, the apparent requirement of light for nitrate reductase induction in etiolated leaves seems not to be specific. Rather an influence of light upon the development of an active protein-synthesizing apparatus as evidenced by the state of polyribosomes is indicated. The results also show that energy from photosynthetic phosphorylation can be used to maintain cytoplasmic polyribosomes (and thus to drive cytoplasmic protein synthesis), at least under anaerobic conditions. 2 Present address: Department of Botany, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30601. 1 This research supported in part by Atomic Energy Commission contract No. AT (40-1)-3978 to Joe L. Key. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

De Leo, Pietro; Sacher, Joseph A.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.806pmid: 5500207

Abstract We report the effects of abscisic acid and auxin (α-naphthalene acetic acid) on regulation of enzyme synthesis during senescence of leaf sections of Rhoeo discolor Hance. Abscisic acid always accelerates the onset of and enhances the magnitude of the increase in activity of acid phosphatase; this is followed by an acceleration of the onset of a rapid increase in free space. RNase activity increases 2- to 5-fold after cutting of leaf sections. Abscisic acid increases RNase activity and inhibits the rate of incorporation of uridine and leucine in leaf sections removed from plants grown under stress but not favorable conditions. Auxin inhibits the increase in RNase and acid phosphatase and suppresses the effects of abscisic acid. The increase in activity of RNase and acid phosphatase is inhibited by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. This and other evidence suggests that the increases in hydrolase activity could result from new enzyme synthesis. The possible significance of the results in respect of hormonal regulation of enzyme activity and senescence is discussed. 2 On leave from Laboratorio de Radiobiochimica ed Ecofisiologia Vegetale, C.N.R., Roma, Italy, with a fellowship supported by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Present address: Department of Botany, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. 1 This investigation was supported by National Science Foundation Grant GB-8316 to J. A. Sacher. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)

Fisher, J. D.; Hansen, Dale; Hodges, T. K.

doi: 10.1104/pp.46.6.812pmid: 4250843

Abstract The energy-dependent influx of Rb+ into excised roots of corn, wheat, and barley has been determined and compared to the Rb+-stimulated ATPase activity of membrane fractions obtained from root homogenates of these species. The external Rb+ concentrations studied were in the range of 1 to 50 mm. The ratio of Rb+ influx/Rb+-stimulated ATPase was approximately 0.85 and was nearly constant for all the species and Rb+ concentrations studied. The correlation coefficient for Rb+ influx versus Rb+-activated ATPase was 0.94. The results support the concept that ATP is the energy source for ion transport in roots and that an ATPase participates in the energy transduction process involved in energy-dependent ion transport. 2 Present address: Rohm and Haas Chemical Company, Springhouse, Pennsylvania 19447. 1 This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grants GB-5549 and GB-12674 and by the Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1970 American Society of Plant Biologists This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model)