Abstract
The two-electron oxidation of 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) to ethylene may proceed through a concerted or stepwise mechanism, this latter being that probably occurring in vivo. An essential feature of this reaction is the production of ACC-free radicals as intermediate. If these ACC-free radicals are liberated into the reaction medium, they will readily react with dissolved oxygen resulting in the formation of an ACC-derived hydroperoxide. Subsequently to the hydroperoxide formation, a decrease in the yield of ethylene and the appearance of other compounds, such as 3-hydroxypropylamide (HPA), might occur. HPA has been found not only in stepwise-type reactions, such as those mediated by peroxidase, but also in concerted reactions, such as the oxidation by hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide. In this work we investigate the mechanism of ACC oxidation by the two kinds of reactions and discuss some physiological implications.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Acosta, M., Casas, J.L., Arnao, M.B. and Sabater, F. (1991a) ‘1-Aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid as a substrate of peroxidase: conditions for oxygen consumption, hydroperoxide generation and ethylene production’, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1077, 273–280.
Acosta, M., Arnao, M.B., Casas, J.L., Del RÃo, J.A., Vioque, B. and Fernández-Maculet, J.C. (1991b) ‘Mechanism of ACC oxidation by peroxidase’, in J. Lobarzewski, H. Greppin, C. Penel and Th. Gaspar (eds), Biochemical, Molecular and Physiological Aspects of Plant Peroxidases, University of Geneva (Switzerland), 88, 121–124.
Adlington, R.M., Baldwin, J.E. and Rawlings, B.J. (1983) ‘On the stereochemistry of ethylene biosynthesis’, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 290–292.
Baldwin, J.E., Jackson, D.A., Adlington, R.A. and Rawlings, B.J. (1985) ‘The stereochemistry of oxidation of 1aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid’ J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 206–207.
Boller, T., Herner, R.C. and Kende, H. (1979) ‘Assay for and enzymatic formation of an ethylene precursor 1aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid’, Planta 145, 293–303.
Kevers, C., Goldberg, R., Van den Driessche, T. and Gaspar, Th. (1992) ‘A relationship between ascorbate peroxidase activity and the conversion of 1-aminocyclopropane-lcarboxylic acid into ethylene’ J. Plant Physiol. 139, 379–381.
Lizada, M.C.C. and Yang, S.F. (1979) ‘A simple and sensitive assay for 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid’, Anal. Biochem. 100, 140–145
Mazelis, M. and Ingraham, L.L. (1962) ‘The pyridoxal phosphate-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of methionine by peroxidase’, J. Biol. Chem. 237, 109–112.
McGarvey, D.J. and Christoffersen, R.E. (1992) ‘Characterization and kinetic parameters of ethylene-forming enzyme from avocado fruit’, J. Biol. Chem. 267, 5964–5967.
McKeon, T.A. and Yang, S.F. (1987) ‘Biosynthesis and metabolism of ethylene’, in P.J. Davies (ed.), Plant Hormones and Their Role in Plant Growth and Development, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp. 94–112.
Pirrung, M.C. (1983) ‘Ethylene biosynthesis. 2. Stereochemistry of ripening, stress, and model reactions’, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105, 7207–7209.
Smith, T.A. and Marshall, J.H.A. (1988) ‘Oxidation of aminoacids by manganous ions and pyridoxal phosphate’, Phytochyemistry 27, 1611–1613.
Smith, J.J., Ververidis, P. and John, P. (1992) ‘Characterization of the ethylene–forming enzyme partially purified from melon’, Phytochemistry 31–1485–1494.
Vioque, B. and Fernandez-Maculet, J.C. (1990) ‘3-Hydroxypropylamide formation from 1-aminocyclopropane-lcarboxylic acid by a cell-free ethylene forming system from olive leaves’, Physiol. Plant. 79, 487–490.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Acosta, M. et al. (1993). Mechanistic Aspects of ACC Oxidation to Ethylene. In: Pech, J.C., Latché, A., Balagué, C. (eds) Cellular and Molecular Aspects of the Plant Hormone Ethylene. Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1003-9_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1003-9_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4249-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1003-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive