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Rapid activation by phytochrome of nitrate reductase in the cotyledons of Sinapis alba

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Summary

Nitrate reductase in the cotyledons of etiolated seedlings of Sinapis alba L. responds rapidly to the addition of nitrate. The response is inhibited by cycloheximide at low concentrations. The enzyme is also under phytochrome control. Five minutes of red light irradiation leads instantaneously to a 45% increase in enzyme activity. Increases in activity, linear with respect to time and with no lag phases are promoted by continuous far-red or blue irradiation. These increases are insensitive to cycloheximide. Thus, light and nitrate act through different mechanisms in controlling nitrate reductase activity and phytochrome does not act via controlling the rate of synthesis of the enzyme.

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Abbreviations

cot pr:

pair of cotyledons

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, Loughborough, UK

    C. B. Johnson

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  1. C. B. Johnson
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Johnson, C.B. Rapid activation by phytochrome of nitrate reductase in the cotyledons of Sinapis alba . Planta 128, 127–131 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390313

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390313

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