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Correlations between photosynthetic enzymes, CO2-fixation and plastid structure in an albino mutant of Zea mays L.

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Summary

An albino seedling of Zea mays L. was investigated for its potential for CO2-assimilation. In the mesophyll the number, dimensions and fine structure of chloroplasts are drastically reduced but to a lesser extent in the bundle sheath. Chlorophyll concentration is zero and carotenoid concentration almost zero. Albinism also exerts a strong influence on the stroma of bundle sheath chloroplasts; ribulose-1.5-biphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP) (EC 1.2.1.13) activity is not detectable. The C4-enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) and malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (EC 1.1.1.40) and the non-photosynthetic linked enzymes malate dehydrogenase (NAD) (EC 1.1.1.37), aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 1.1.1.37), aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1.) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD) (EC 1.2.1.1.) are present in the albino seedling with activities comparable to those in etiolated maize seedlings. The potential for CO2 fixation of the albino seedlings exceeds that of comparable dark seedlings considerably. The results are discussed with regard to enzyme localization of the C4 pathway of photosynthesis.

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Abbreviations

Aspartate aminotransferase:

L-aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase-EC 2.6.1.1.

GAPDH (NAD):

glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD dep.)-EC 1.2.1.12

GAPDH (NADP):

glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP dep.)-EC 1.2.1.13

malic enzyme:

malate dehydrogenase (NADP dep., decarboxylating)-EC 1.1.1.40

MDH:

malate dehydrogenase (NAD dep.)-1.1.1.37

PEP carboxylase:

phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase-EC 4.1.1.31

RuDP carboxylase:

ribulose-1.5-biphosphate carboxylase-EC 4.1.1.39

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botanisches Institut der Universität, Gyrhofstraße 15, D-5000, Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany

    Manfred Weidner, Henning Steinbiss & Bruno P. Kremer

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  1. Manfred Weidner
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  2. Henning Steinbiss
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  3. Bruno P. Kremer
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Weidner, M., Steinbiss, H. & Kremer, B.P. Correlations between photosynthetic enzymes, CO2-fixation and plastid structure in an albino mutant of Zea mays L.. Planta 131, 263–270 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385424

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00385424

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