Abstract
ASSIMILATION of nitrate in leaves is closely linked with photosynthesis1,2 because ammonia, the end product of the former process, is incorporated into amino acids by means of carbon skeletons derived from the assimilation of CO2. Canvin and Atkins3,4 have shown that the reduction of nitrate to nitrite in leaves of barley is dependent on light and ceases when the light is extinguished. On the other hand, in the in vivo5 method for assay of nitrate reductase, nitrate is reduced to nitrite by leaf disks even in the dark. As Canvin and Atkins3,4 pointed out, the in vivo method is not a true reflection of what happens in plants in physiological conditions. A regulatory mechanism must exist in leaves, which shuts off nitrate reduction immediately when light is extinguished, so that the accumulation of toxic amounts of nitrite, which can only be reduced by photosynthetic reactions6, is avoided. We now propose that this regulation functions through mitochondrial respiration, which operates in the dark, but is inhibited in light, because of the increased cytoplasmic adenylate charge due to photosynthesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beevers, L. & Hageman, R. H. in Photophysiology, VII (ed. Giese A. C.) 85–113 (Academic, New York and London, 1972).
Sawhney, S. K. & Naik, M. S. Biochem. J. 130, 475–485 (1972).
Canvin, D. T. & Atkins, C. A. Planta (Berl.) 116, 207–224 (1974).
Atkins, C. A. & Canvin, D. T. Planta (Berl.) 123, 41–51 (1975).
Klepper, L., Flesher, D. & Hageman, R. H. Pl. Physiol. 48, 580–590 (1971).
Miflin, B. J. Planta (Berl.) 116, 187–196 (1974).
Heber, U. A. Rev. Pl. Physiol. 25, 393–421 (1974).
Hewitt, E. J. & Nicholas, D. J. D. in Modern Methods of Plant Analysis, VII(eds Linskens, H. F., Sanwal, B. D. & Tracey, M. V.) 67–172 (Springer, Berlin 1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SAWHNEY, S., NAIK, M. & NICHOLAS, D. Regulation of nitrate reduction by light, ATP and mitochondrial respiration in wheat leaves. Nature 272, 647–648 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/272647a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/272647a0
This article is cited by
-
Osmolytes Accumulation, Cell Membrane Integrity, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Sugarcane Varieties Differing in Salinity Tolerance
Sugar Tech (2014)
-
Assessment of Biochemical Markers in Differentiating Sugarcane Genotypes for Salt Tolerance
Sugar Tech (2013)
-
Fluctuations in Spinach Leaf Nitrate Reductase During Light-Dark Transitions
Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2006)
-
Changes in Leaf Nitrate Reductase Activity In Vivo and In Vitro During Light-Dark Transitions
Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1999)
-
Differential Carbon Monoxide Sensitivity of Cytochrome-Oxidase in the Leaves of Tall and Dwarf Wheat Cultivars
Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1998)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.