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Coaction of blue/ultraviolet-A light and light absorbed by phytochrome in controlling the appearance of ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedling

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Abstract

The appearance of NADH- and ferredoxin (Fd)-dependent glutamate synthases (GOGATs) was investigated in the major organs (roots, hypocotyl and cotyledonary whorl) of the Scots pine seedling. It was found that cytosolic NADH-GOGAT (EC 1.4.1.14) dropped to a low level during the experimental period (from 4 to 12 d after sowing) and was not significantly affected by light. On the other hand, plastidic Fd-GOGAT (EC 1.4.7.1) increased strongly in response to light. Whereas similar amounts of NADH-GOGAT were found in the different organs, Fd-GOGAT was mainly found in the cotyledons even in the presence of nitrate. Protein chromatography revealed only a single Fd-GOGAT peak. No isoforms were detected. Experiments to investigate regulation of the appearance of Fd-GOGAT in the cotyledonary whorl yielded the following results: (i) In darkness, neither nitrate (15 mM KNO3) nor ammonium (15 mM NH4Cl) had an effect on the appearance of Fd-GOGAT. In the light, nitrate stimulated Fd-GOGAT activity by 30% whereas ammonium had no effect. The major controlling factor is light. (ii) The action of long-term white light (100 W · m−2) could be replaced quantitatively by blue light (B, 10 W · m−2). Since the action of long-term far-red light was very weak, operation of the ‘High Irradiance Reaction’ of phytochrome is excluded. On the other hand, light-pulse experiments with dark-grown seedlings showed the involvement of phytochrome. (iii) Red light, operating via phytochrome, could fully replace B, but only up to 10 d after sowing. Thereafter, there was an absolute requirement for B for a further increase in the enzyme level. It appears that the operation of phytochrome was replaced by the operation of cryptochrome (B/UV-A photoreceptor). (iv) However, dichromatic experiments (simultaneous treatment of the seedlings with two light beams to vary the level of the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pfr) in blue light) showed that B does not affect enzyme appearance if the Pfr level is low. It is concluded that B is required to maintain responsiveness of Fd-GOGAT synthesis to phytochrome (Pfr) beyond 10 d after sowing.

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Abbreviations

B:

blue light

c:

continuous

D:

darkness

Fd-GOGAT:

ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.7.1)

FR:

far-red light

HIR:

high-irradiance reaction of phytochrome

NADH-GOGAT:

nicotinamide-dinucleotide-dependent glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.1.14)

R:

red light

RG9:

long-wavelength far-red light defined by the properties of the Schott glass filter (ϕRG9<0.01)

ϕ Pfr/Ptot:

far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome/total phytochrome, wavelength-dependent photoequilibrium of the phytochrome system

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biologisches Institut II der Universität, Schänzlestrasse 1, W-7800, Freiburg i. Br., Germany

    M. W. Elmlinger & H. Mohr

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  1. M. W. Elmlinger
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  2. H. Mohr
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Research supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 46 und Schwerpunkt Physiologie der Bäume). We thank E. Fernbach for his help with the dichromatic experiments.

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Elmlinger, M.W., Mohr, H. Coaction of blue/ultraviolet-A light and light absorbed by phytochrome in controlling the appearance of ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedling. Planta 183, 374–380 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197736

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197736

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