Skip to main content
Plant Physiology logoLink to Plant Physiology
. 1966 Dec;41(10):1585–1590. doi: 10.1104/pp.41.10.1585

Changes in Amino Acid Content of Excised Leaves During Incubation. III. Role of Sugar in the Accumulation of Proline in Wilted Leaves

Cecil R Stewart 1,2,3,1, Clayton J Morris 1,2,3, John F Thompson 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC550579  PMID: 16656444

Abstract

A previously reported accumulation of proline in wilted turnip leaves has been observed in 6 additional species representing 5 different families. The results of experiments on the conditions affecting the behavior of proline in wilted leaves were interpreted to mean that the supply and metabolism of available carbohydrate was essential for proline accumulation.

The role of sugar in proline accumulation was determined by incubating wilted leaves with different levels of carbohydrate (produced either by variations in conditions of preillumination or by infiltration with sucrose). The results showed that proline accumulation was greater and most prolonged in wilted leaves with higher sugar and starch contents. No proline accumulation was observed in unwilted leaves. Also some inhibitors of glycolysis and of the tricarboxylic acid cycle prevented proline accumulation in wilted leaves.

Based on these results, the interpretation of the role of sugar in proline accumulation is that the oxidation of sugars furnishes α-ketoglutarate and NAD(P)H for proline synthesis in wilted leaves.

Full text

PDF
1585

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Barnett N. M., Naylor A. W. Amino Acid and protein metabolism in bermuda grass during water stress. Plant Physiol. 1966 Sep;41(7):1222–1230. doi: 10.1104/pp.41.7.1222. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. CHINARD F. P. Photometric estimation of proline and ornithine. J Biol Chem. 1952 Nov;199(1):91–95. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Chen D., Kessler B. Studies on Water Regime and Nitrogen Metabolism of Citrus Seedlings Grown under Water Stress. Plant Physiol. 1964 May;39(3):379–386. doi: 10.1104/pp.39.3.379. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. KEMBLE A. R., MACPHERSON H. T. Liberation of amino acids in perennial rye grass during wilting. Biochem J. 1954 Sep;58(1):46–49. doi: 10.1042/bj0580046. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Plant Physiology are provided here courtesy of Oxford University Press

RESOURCES