PLANT PHYSIOLOGY , Vol 101, Issue 2 589-594, Copyright © 1993 by American Society of Plant Biologists
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METABOLISM AND ENZYMOLOGY |
Inhibition of Sucrose:Sucrose Fructosyl Transferase by Cations and Ionic Strength
P. M. Chevalier and R. A. Rupp
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6420
Fructans are storage carbohydrates found in many temperate grasses. The
first enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of most fructans is
sucrose:sucrose fructosyl transferase (SST). In this report, we demonstrate
that K+ and ionic strength noncompetitively inhibit the activity of SST
from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stems. The Ki for this inhibition is
high, 122 mM, but in the range of concentrations of K+ found in the tissue
(205-314 mM). Addition of KCl to the assay system had no effect on the pH
optimum (5.5) or the Km for sucrose (266 mM) but reduced the Vmax. At
equivalent ionic strengths, inhibition by choline chloride was about half
that of KCl, indicating that inhibition by ionic strength might be
responsible for approximately 50% of the KCl inhibition. Inhibition by LiCl
and (NH4)2SO4 was similar to that by choline chloride. Soluble invertase
activity found in the SST preparations was less sensitive to KCl and more
sensitive to choline chloride than was SST. SST from barley (Hordeum
vulgare L.) stems and leaves, as well as SST from leaves of orchardgrass
(Dactylis glomerata), was also inhibited by KCl. SST from onion (Allium
cepa L.) bulbs and asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) stems was not
inhibited by KCl; thus, inhibition of activity by KCl is not a universal
characteristic of SST from all sources.