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Environmental and Stress Physiology

Comparative Physiological Evidence that -Alanine Betaine and Choline-O-Sulfate Act as Compatible Osmolytes in Halophytic Limonium Species ¹

Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Université de Montréal, 4101 rue Sherbrooke est, Montréal, Québéc, Canada H1X 2B2, Michigan State University-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, Department of Biochemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824

The quaternary ammonium compounds accumulated in saline conditions by five salt-tolerant species of Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) were analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Three species accumulated -alanine betaine and choline-O-sulfate; the others accumulated glycine betaine and choline-O-sulfate. Three lines of evidence indicated that -alanine betaine and choline-O-sulfate replace glycine betaine as osmo-regulatory solutes. First, tests with bacteria showed that -alanine betaine and choline-O-sulfate have osmoprotective properties comparable to glycine betaine. Second, when -alanine betaine and glycine betaine accumulators were salinized, the levels of their respective betaines, plus that of choline-O-sulfate, were closely correlated with leaf solute potential. Third, substitution of sulfate for chloride salinity caused an increase in the level of choline-O-sulfate and a matching decrease in glycine betaine level. Experiments with ¹⁴C-labeled precursors established that -alanine betaine accumulators did not synthesize glycine betaine and vice versa. These experiments also showed that -alanine betaine synthesis occurs in roots as well as leaves of -alanine betaine accumulators and that choline-O-sulfate and glycine betaine share choline as a precursor. Unlike glycine betaine, -alanine betaine synthesis cannot interfere with conjugation of sulfate to choline by competing for choline and does not require oxygen. These features of -alanine betaine may be advantageous in sulfate-rich salt marsh environments.

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