Photosynthetica 1999, 36(13):459-467 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1007116012323

UV-B Radiation Mediated Alterations in the Nitrate Assimilation Pathway of Crop Plants 1. Kinetic Characteristics of Nitrate Reductase

T. Balakumar1, V. Selvakumar1, K. Sathiameena1, C. Murugu Ilanchezhian1, K. Paliwal1
1 Centre for Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Botany, The American College, Madurai, India

The kinetics and other characteristics of nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] seedlings irradiated with biologically effective UV-B radiation (280-320 nm, 3.2 W m-2 s-1) were recorded. The in vivo and in vitro NR activities were inhibited by 34 and 41 % under UV-B treatment, respectively. Both Vmax and Km for the substrate were enhanced by UV-B radiation. The Km for nitrate increased from 1.2 to 1.7 mM after the UV-B irradiation. The change in Km for NADH was from 0.12 to 0.17 mM. The increases in Km indicate that UV-B radiation seriously changes the topology of NR, particularly with respect to the nitrate and NADH binding sites. The rate of NR turnover indicates the extent of damage inflicted by UV-B radiation on the nitrate metabolism. The half-life (t1/2) of NR was reduced from 7 to 4 h in the UV-B treated seedlings. UV-B also inhibited the kinetics of nitrate uptake by plants: its Km increased from 0.08 to 0.12 mM.

Additional key words: carotenoids; chlorophyll; fresh and dry mass; leaf area; root; shoot; Vigna unguiculata

Prepublished online: November 1, 1999; Published: January 1, 1999  Show citation

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Balakumar, T., Selvakumar, V., Sathiameena, K., Murugu Ilanchezhian, C., & Paliwal, K. (1999). UV-B Radiation Mediated Alterations in the Nitrate Assimilation Pathway of Crop Plants 1. Kinetic Characteristics of Nitrate Reductase. Photosynthetica, 37(3), 459-467. doi: 10.1023/A:1007116012323
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