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Metabolism and Enzymology

Phytochrome Mediated Regulation of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Activity in Maize

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801

The extractable activity of sucrose phosphate synthase was determined in etiolated seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) following treatments of changing light quality. A 30-minute illumination of 30 microeinsteins per square meter per second white light produced a three-fold increase in sucrose phosphate synthase activity at 2 hours postillumination when compared to seedlings maintained in total darkness. Etiolated maize seedlings treated with 3.6 microeinsteins per square meter per second of red and far-red light showed a 50% increase and a 50% decrease in sucrose phosphate synthase activity, respectively, when compared to etiolated maize seedlings treated with white light. Maize seedlings exposed for 30 minutes to red followed by 30 minutes to far-red showed an initial increase in sucrose phosphate synthase activity followed by a rapid decrease to control level. Neither soybean or sugar beet sucrose phosphate synthase responded to the 30-minute illumination of white light. Phytochrome is involved in sucrose phosphate synthase regulation in maize, whereas it is not responsible for changes in sucrose phosphate synthase activity in soybean or sugar beet.