Abstract
Nitrate reductase (NR) induction is enhanced by exogenously supplied sucrose in excised pea roots exposed to both exogenous nitrate and exogenous nitrite. NR synthesis is preferentially supported by sugars transported to the cells at the moment, however NR induction can take place for some time without exogenous sugar influx if roots are saturated with sugars during precultivation. Steady high NR levels are dependent on steady sugar and nitrate influxes. NR induction is low in roots precultivated for 20 h without sucrose although sugar content is still high in them. This suggests that compartmentation of sugars in the cells is of major importance during NR induction. Total nitrate content in roots exposed to nitrate is not influenced by sucrose supplied together with nitrate. Some nitrite is oxidized to nitrate in roots exposed to exogenous nitrite ; we assume that this nitrate is responsible for NR induction. Our results indicate that sugars, besides many indirect effects on NR induction, may also directly influence NR synthesis either as coinducers or as derepressors of NR synthesis. Our results further show that NR is not a product-inducible enzyme.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aslam, M., Oaks, A.: Effect of glucose on the induction of nitrate reductase in corn roots. - Plant Physiol.56: 634–639, 1975.
Beevers, L., Schrader, L. E., Flesher, D., Hageman, R. H.: Role of light and nitrate in the induction of nitrate reductase in radish cotyledons and maize seedlings. - Plant Physiol.40: 691–698, 1965.
Boutard, J.: Effects de la lumière et de l’alimentation en nitrate sur les variations de l’activité nitrate réductase de plantules d’orge. - Physiol. vég.4: 105–123, 1966.
Candela, M. I., Fisher, E. G., Hewitt, E. J.: Molybdenum as a plant nutrient. X. Some factors affecting the activity of nitrate reductase in cauliflower plants grown with different nitrogen sources and molybdenum levels in sand culture. -Plant Physiol.32: 280–288, 1957.
Chroboczek-Kelker, H., Filnfr, P.: Regulation of nitrite reductase and its relationship to the regulation of nitrate reductase in cultured tobacco cells. - Biochim. biophys. Acta252: 69–82, 1971.
Delwiche, C. C.: Nitrification. - In:McElroy, W. D., Glass, B. (ed.): Inorganic Nitrogen Metabolism. John Hopkins Press, Baltimore 1956.
Ferguson, A. R.: The nitrogen metabolism ofSpirodela oligorrhiza. II. Control of the enzymes of nitrate assimilation. -Planta88: 353–363, 1969.
Forget, P., Rimassa, R.: Evidence for the presence of carbohydrate units in the nitrate reduotase A ofEscherichia coli K 12. - FEBS Lett.77: 182–186, 1977.
Hageman, R. H., Flesher, D.: Nitrate reductase activity in corn seedlings as affected by light and nitrate content of nutrient media. - Plant Physiol.35: 700–708, 1960.
Hewitt, E. J., Fischer, E. G., Candela, M. I.: Factors affecting the activity of nitrate reductase in cauliflower plants. - Annu. Rep. hort. Res. Sta. Long Ashton for1955: 202–210, 1956.
Higgins, T. J. V., Goodwin, P. B., Carr, D. J.: Induction of nitrate reductase in mung bean seedlings. - Aust. J. Plant Physiol.1: 1–8, 1974.
Humphryes, T.: Dinitrophenol-induced efflux of sucrose from maize scutellum cells. - Phyto- chemistry16: 1359–1364, 1977.
Ingle, J., Joy, K. W., Hageman, R. H.: The regulation of activity of the enzymes involved in the assimilation of nitrate by higher plants. - Biochem. J.100: 577–578, 1966.
Kannangara, C. G., Woolhouse, H. W.: The role of carbon dioxide, light and nitrate in the synthesis and degradation of nitrate reduotase in leaves ofPerilla frutescens. - New Phytol.66: 533–561, 1967.
Kaplan, D., Roth-Bejerano, N., Lips, H.: Nitrate reductase as a product-inducible enzyme. -Eur. J. Biochem.49: 393–398, 1974.
Keil, B., Šormová, Z.: Laboratorní Technika Biochemie. [Laboratory Biochemical Methods.] NČSAV, Praha 1959.
McNamara, A. L., Meeker, G. B., Shaw, P. D., Hageman, R. H.: Use of a dissimilatory nitrate reductase fromEscherichia coli and formate as a reductive system for nitrate assays. - Agr. Food Chem.19: 229–231, 1971.
Müller, A. J.,Grafe, R.,Mendel, R. R.,Saalbach, I.: Nitrate reductase-deficient mutants isolated from culturedNicotiana tabacum cells. - Proc. Symp. Exp. Mutag. in Plants, Varna 1976.
Radin, J. W.: Distribution and development of nitrate reductase aotivity in germinating cotton seedlings. - Plant Physiol.53: 458–463, 1974.
Sahulka, J.: The effect of exogenous IAA and kinetin on nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and glutamate dehydrogenase in excised pea roots. - Biol. Plant.14: 330–336, 1972.
Sahulka, J.: The regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase, nitrite reductase and nitrate reductase in excised pea roots by nitrite. -Biol. Plant.15: 298–301, 1973.
Sahulka, J.: The effect of some ammonium salts on nitrate reductase level, onin vivo nitrate reduction and on nitrate content in excisedPisum sativum roots. - Biol. Plant.19: 113–128, 1977.
Sahulka, J.: The effect of chloride on nitrate reductase level, on anaerobic nitrite production, and on nitrate oontent in excisedPisum sativum L. roots. - Biol. Plant.20: 201–209, 1978.
Sahulka, J., Gaudinová, A., Hadačová, V.: Regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase levels in excised pea roots by exogenously supplied sugar. - Z. Pflanzenphysiol.75: 392–404, 1975.
Travis, R. L., Huffaker, R. C., Key, J. L.: Light-induced development of polyribosomes and the induction of nitrate reductase in corn leaves. - Plant Pbysiol.46: 800–805, 1970a.
Travis, R. L., Jordan, W. R., Hukfaker, R. C.: Light and nitrate requirements for induction of nitrate reductase activity inHordeum vulgare. - Physiol. Plant.23: 678–685, 1970b.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sahulka, J., Lisá, L. The influence of sugars on nitrate reductase induction by exogenous nitrate or nitrite in excised pisum sativum roots. Biol Plant 20, 359–367 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02923328
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02923328