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Localization of sucrose synthase in wheat roots: increased in situ activity of sucrose synthase correlates with cell wall thickening by cellulose deposition under hypoxia

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Abstract

Sucrose synthase (SuSy; EC 2.4.1.13) plays a prominent role in O2 deficiency and functions at a branch point, partitioning sucrose between cell wall biosynthesis and glycolysis. The cleavage of sucrose by SuSy was localized in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Alcedo) roots subjected to 4 days of hypoxia. Increased SuSy activity was observed by in situ activity staining in the tip region and in the stele of root axes. The pattern of cellulose deposition correlated with regions of high SuSy activity. Cellulose accounted for more than 30% of root dry weight and the cellulose content increased substantially under hypoxia. The strongest accumulation of cellulose occurred in the base and mid-regions of the roots where the content rose to 163% and 182% of controls, respectively. In the root axis, cellulose deposition occurred in the endodermis and walls of pith cells. In root tips, cellulose was primarily deposited in developing xylem and phloem. The marker enzyme for O2 shortage, pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17), exhibited a 14-fold increase in the root apex, whereas in basal root tissues, which contained more aerenchyma, pyruvate decarboxylase activity was only doubled. The root apex also contained the highest concentration of sucrose and hexoses. The elevated sugar content in all root zones was partially used to synthesize cellulose for secondary wall thickening.

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Fig. 1A–G.
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Fig. 4A–C.

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Abbreviations

ADH:

alcohol dehydrogenase

PAS:

periodic acid–Schiff

PDC:

pyruvate decarboxylase

Suc:

sucrose

SuSy:

sucrose synthase

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Acknowledgements

We thank Sophia Biemelt and Ted Fox for incisive criticism on an early draft manuscript and for helpful discussions. Thanks also go to Ina Weller and Frank Driessler for the assistance with some preliminary experiments. We are much indebted to Birgit Hass for invaluable technical assistance. The work was partly supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grant 03011701).

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  1. Institute of Biology, Department of Botany, Humboldt-University Berlin, Spaethstr. 80/81, 12437, Berlin, Germany

    Gerd Albrecht & Angelika Mustroph

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  1. Gerd Albrecht
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  2. Angelika Mustroph
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Correspondence to Gerd Albrecht.

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Albrecht, G., Mustroph, A. Localization of sucrose synthase in wheat roots: increased in situ activity of sucrose synthase correlates with cell wall thickening by cellulose deposition under hypoxia. Planta 217, 252–260 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-003-0995-6

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