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Metabolism and Enzymology

Enzyme Activities Associated with Maize Kernel Amyloplasts ¹

Department of Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

Activities of the enzymes of gluconeogenesis and of starch metabolism were measured in extracts of amyloplasts isolated from protoplasts derived from 14-day-old maize (Zea mays L., cv Pioneer 3780) endosperm. The enzymes triosephosphate isomerase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphohexose isomerase, phosphoglucomutase, ADPG pyrophosphorylase, UDPG pyrophosphorylase, soluble and bound starch synthases, and branching enzyme were found to be present in the amyloplasts. Of the above enzymes, ADPG pyrophosphorylase had the lowest activity per amyloplast. Invertase, sucrose synthase and hexokinase were not detected in similar amyloplast preparations. Only a trace of the cytoplasmic marker enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase could be detected in purified amyloplast fractions. In separate experiments, purified amyloplasts were lysed and then supplied with radioactively labeled glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, glucose, fructose, sucrose, and 3-0-methylglucose in the presence of adenosine triphosphate or uridine triphosphate. Of the above, only the phosphorylated substrates were incorporated into starch. Incorporation into starch was higher with added uridine triphosphate than with adenosine triphosphate. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate was the preferred substrate for uptake by intact amyloplasts and incorporation into starch. In preliminary experiments, it appeared that glucose-6-P and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate may also be taken up by intact amyloplasts. However, the rate of uptake and incorporation into starch was relatively low and variable. Additional study is needed to determine conclusively whether hexose phosphates will cross intact amyloplast membranes. From these data, we conclude that: (a) Triose phosphate is the preferred substrate for uptake by intact amyloplasts. (b) Amyloplasts contain all enzymes necessary to convert triose phosphates into starch. (c) Sucrose breakdown must occur in the cytosol prior to carbohydrate transfer into the amyloplasts. (d) Under the conditions of assay, amyloplasts are unable to convert glucose or fructose to starch. (e) Uridine triphosphate may be the preferred nucleotide for conversion of hexose phosphates to starch at this stage of kernel development.

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