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Photophysiology of turion germination in Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden VIII. Calcium dependence and β-amylase activity

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Abstract

Red-light-induced germination (via phytochrome) of turions of Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden, strain SJ, showed an absolute requirement for exogenously applied calcium (Appenroth et al. 1990b, Biochem. Physiol. Pflanzen 186, 209–219). With calcium step-up experiments (from 0.9 μM to 1 mM Ca2+) the influence of Ca2+ on the escape from far-red-light reversibility was investigated. Delaying the time of Ca2+ application after the red light pulse resulted in an increased reversibility. This confirmed that the calcium-requiring phase is within the phytochrome-dependent period. Ten days after a red light pulse was applied the activity of β-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) was increased about tenfold. The starting point was similar in the germination and enzymatic responses, but half-maximal response times according to the Mitscherlich function (2.5 d and 6.9 d, respectively) and times of saturation (about 6 d and 9 d, respectively) were different. Increase of β-amylase activity was completely inhibited by irradiation with far-red light (demonstrating phytochrome as the photoreceptor), as well as by inhibitors of translation (cycloheximide, puromycin) and transcription (cordycepin). Once formed, the active enzyme protein was stable for at least 4 d after cycloheximide application. After application of cordycepin a small amount of translation activity was detected until complete inhibition was reached after 2 d. This phytochrome-modulated, de-novo synthesis of β-amylase was only slightly dependent on exogenous Ca2+. Therefore, it can be concluded that the phytochrome-mediated signal-transduction chain branches either in its reversible part or as a consequence of diversity of the primary phytochrome reaction.

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Abbreviations

FR:

far-red light

Pfr :

phytochrome, far-red-light-absorbing form

R:

red light

Rev:

reversibility of the red-light response by far-red light

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General Botany, Friedrich Schiller University, von-Hase-Weg 3, O-6900, Jena, Germany

    K. J. Appenroth, W. Hertel & H. Augsten

  2. Institute of Applied Mathematics, Friedrich Schiller University, von-Hase-Weg 3, O-6900, Jena, Germany

    J. Komusiewicz

Authors
  1. K. J. Appenroth
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  2. J. Komusiewicz
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  3. W. Hertel
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  4. H. Augsten
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Additional information

We thank Professors H. Mohr, E. Schäfer and P. Schopfer, University of Freiburg, FRG, and Dr. R. Scheuerlein, University of Erlangen, FRG, for stimulating discussions, and Mrs. B. Liebermann and R. Horn for skillful technical assistance.

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Appenroth, K.J., Komusiewicz, J., Hertel, W. et al. Photophysiology of turion germination in Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleiden VIII. Calcium dependence and β-amylase activity. Planta 186, 81–87 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201501

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