Light Modulation and Localization of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Activity between Mesophyll Cells and Bundle Sheath Cells in C4 Species

Abstract

Experiments were conducted with several Panicum species (representing the different C(4) subtypes) to examine the light modulation of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity and the effect of illumination on the distribution of SPS activity between mesophyll cells (MC) and bundle sheath cells (BSC). Activity of SPS in the light decreased in the order: C(4) > C(3)-C(4) intermediate > C(3). In illuminated leaves, SPS activities were similar among the three C(4) subtypes, but SPS activity was higher for NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) species with centripetal chloroplasts in BSC (NAD-ME(P) species) than for NAD-ME species with centrifugal chloroplasts in BSC (NAD-ME(F) species). Transfer of plants into darkness for 30 minutes resulted in decreased SPS activity for all species tested except Panicum bisulcatum (C(3) species) and Panicum virgatum (NAD-ME(P) species) which showed little or no change. All C(4) subtypes had some SPS activity both in MC and BSC. In the light, SPS activity was mainly in the MC for NADP-ME, NAD-ME(F) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase species, while it was mainly in the BSC for NAD-ME(P) species. In the dark, for all C(4) subtypes, SPS activity in the MC was decreased to a greater extent than that in the BSC. It is intriguing that NAD-ME(F) and NAD-ME(P) species differed in the activity and distribution of SPS activity between MC and BSC, although they are otherwise identical in the photosynthetic carbon assimilation pathway. Diurnal changes in SPS activity in the MC and BSC were also examined in maize leaves. SPS activity in the MC in maize leaves was high and relatively constant throughout the middle of the light period, dropped rapidly after sunset and increased again prior to the light period. On the other hand, SPS activity in the BSC was lower and changed more coincidently with light intensity than that in the MC. The results suggested that light activation of SPS activity located in the BSC may require higher irradiance for saturation than the SPS in the MC. We conclude that SPS may function in both MC and BSC for sucrose synthesis in the light, particularly at high light intensity, while in the dark, the major function may be in the BSC during starch degradation.