Abstract
The radial profile of lipase and phospholipase activities was determined in the trunkwood ofRobinia pseudoacacia L. The trees were felled in November at the time of heartwood formation and alterations in the enzymatic activities were investigated across the sapwood and heartwood. Methods employed include gaschromatographic, colorimetric and enzymatic assays. On a dry weight basis, the hydrolysis of the artificial substrate pnitrophenylpalmitate shows a maximum activity in growth ring 4; however, the assay has proved not to be specific for lipase. In contrast, lipase analyses (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase; E.C. 3.1.1.3) with an authentic substrate show activity peaks in growth rings 1 and 4. With protein as a reference the highest activity is found in growth ring 5. A similar tendency is observed for phospholipase A1 (E.C. 3.1.1.32) and phospholipase A2 (E.C. 3.1.1.4). Phospholipase C (E.C. 3.1.4.3) activity decreases towards the sapwood-heartwood boundary; negligible traces of activity are detected in the heartwood, whereas, based on the protein content, growth ring 4 yields maximal activity. Phospholipase D (3.1.4.4) exhibits the same radial pattern with regard to protein content as a reference. On a dry weight basis there is a significant increase within the sapwood area, while in the heartwood the activity drastically decreases. The enzyme activities are discussed in relation to degradative processes within the plasma membranes and the hydrolysis of reserve lipids during heartwood formation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Banas A, Johansson I, Styme S (1992) Plant microsomal phospholipases exhibit preference for phosphatidylcholine with oxygenated acyl groups. Plant Sci 84: 137–144
Bauch J, Höll W, Endeward R (1975) Some aspects of wetwood formation in fir. Holzforschung 29: 198–205
Beja-Tal S, Borochov A (1994) Age-related changes in biochemical and physical properties of carnation petal plasma membranes. J Plant Physiol 143: 195–199
Bergmeyer HU, Grassl M, Walter HE (1983) Enzymes. In: Bergmeyer HU, Bergmeyer J, Grassl M (eds) Methods of enzymatic analysis, 3rd edn., vol 2. Chemie, Weinheim, pp 126–328
Borochov A, Cho MH, Boss WF (1994) Plasma membrane lipid metabolism of petunia petals during senescence. Physiol Plant 90: 279–284
Dietrichs HH (1964) Das Verhalten von Kohlenhydraten bei deHolzverkernung. Holzforschung 18: 14–24
Fischer C, Höll W (1992) Food reserves of Scot's pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). II. Seasonal changes and radial distribution of carbohydrate and fat reserves in pine wood. Trees 6: 147–155
Frith GJT, Dalling MJ (1980) The role of peptide hydrolases in leaf senescence. In: Thimann KV (ed) Senescence in plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 117–131
Hemingway RW, Hillis WE (1971) Changes in fats and resins ofPinus radiata associated with heartwood formation. Appita 24: 439–443
Hillinger C, Höll W, Ziegler H (1996) Lipids and lipolytic enzymes in the trunkwood ofRobinia pseudoacacia L. during heartwood formation. I. Radial distribution of lipid classes. Trees 10: 366–375
Hillis WE (1987) Heartwood and tree exudates. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Höll W (1972) Stärke und Stärkeenzyme im Holz vonRobinia pseudoacacia L. Holzforschung 26: 41–45
Huggins C, Lapides J (1947) Chromogenic substrates. IV. Acyl esters of p-nitrophenol as substrates for the colorimetric determination of esterase. J Biol Chem 170: 467–482
Lalaguna F, Agudo M (1989) Relationship between changes in lipid with aging of cassava roots and senescence parameters. Phytochemistry 28: 2059–2062
Leopold AC (1980) Aging and senescence in plant development. In: Thimann KV (ed) Senescence in plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 1–13
Leshem YY (1987) Membrane phospholipid catabolism and Ca2+ activity in control of senescence. Physiol Plant 69: 551–559
Leshem YY, Halevy AH, Frenkel C (1986) Processes and control of plant senescence. In: Developments in crop sciences, vol 8. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Lin SS, Pearce RS (1990) Changes in lipids of bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris) and corn caryopses (Zea mays) aged in contrasting environments. Ann Bot 65: 451–456
Magel EA, Drouet A, Claudot AC, Ziegler H (1991) Formation of heartwood substances in the stemwood ofRobinia pseudoacacia L. I. Distribution of phenylalanine ammonium-lyase and chalcone synthase across the trunk. Trees 5: 203–207
Magel E, Jay-Allemand C, Ziegler H (1994) Formation of heartwood substances in the stemwood ofRobinia pseudoacacia L. II. Distribution of nonstructural carbohydrates and wood extractives across the trunk. Trees 8: 165–171
Merrill AH, Schroeder JJ (1993) Lipid modulation of cell function. Annu Rev Nutr 13: 539–559
Nobuchi T, Sato T, Iwata R, Harada H (1984) Season of heartwood formation and the related cytological structure of ray parenchyma cells inRobinia pseudoacacia L. Mokuzai Gakkaishi 30: 669–676
Salama AM, Pearce RS (1993) Ageing of cucumber and onion seeds: phospholipase D, lipoxygenase activity and changes in phospholipid content. J Exp Bot 44: 1253–1265
Saranpää P (1988) Plastids and glycolipids in the stemwood ofPinus sylvestris L. Trees 2: 180–187
Saranpää P, Höll W (1987) Steryl glycosides and acylated steryl glycosides ofPinus sylvestris sapwood and heartwood. Trees 1: 215–218
Saranpää P, Nyberg H (1987) Seasonal variation of neutral lipids inPinus sylvestris L. sapwood and heartwood. Trees 1: 139–144
Saranpää P, Piispanen R (1994) Variation in the amount of triacylglycerols and steryl esters in the outer sapwood ofPinus sylvestris L. Trees 8: 228–231
Spector AA, Yorek M (1985) Membrane lipid composition and cellular function. J Lipid Res 26: 1015–1035
Strauch G (1965) Ultramikro-Methode zur Bestimmung des Stickstoffs in biologischem Material. Z Klin Chem 3: 165–167
Thompson GA (1988) The molecular basis for membrane deterioration during senescence. In: Noodén LD, Leopold AC (eds) Senescence and aging in plants. Academic Press, New York, pp 51–83
Verhey SD, Lomax TL (1993) Signal transduction in vascular plants. J Plant Growth Regul 12: 179–195
Ziegler H (1968) Biologische Aspekte der Kernholzbildung. Holz RohWerkst 26: 61–68
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hillinger, C., Höll, W. & Ziegler, H. Lipids and lipolytic enzymes in the trunkwood ofRobinia pseudoacacia L. during heartwood formation. Trees 10, 376–381 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02185641
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02185641