We examined changes in nonstructural carbohydrate biosynthesis and activities of related enzymes in leaves of micropropagated apple plants (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. 'NaganoFuji') in response to water stress, with particular emphasis on the enzymes associated with sorbitol, sucrose and starch metabolism. Water stress resulted in the accumulation of photosynthates in leaves, mainly sorbitol, su...

ALDOSE REDUCTASE (ALDITOL: NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.21) is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of glucose to its sugar alcohol, sorbitol. In this study, aldose reductase and a closely related enzyme, L-hexonate dehydrogenase (L-gulonate: NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.19), were purified from rat pancreas. Glutaric acid, 2,4-dimethyl glutaric acid, 3,3-tetramethylene glutaric acid, and...

A pathway from glucose via sorbitol bypasses the control points of hexokinase and phosphofructokinase in glucose metabolism. It also may produce glycerol, linking the bypass to lipid synthesis. Utilization of this bypass is favored by a plentiful supply of glucose--hence, conditions under which glycolysis also is active. The bypass further involves oxidation of NADPH, so the pentose phosphate p...

Fig trees (Ficus carica L.) are commonly grown in the Mediterranean area, where salinity is an increasing problem coastal areas. Young, fruiting plants of cv. Dottato were subjected to moderate salt stress (100 mM NaCl added irrigation water) for 48 days before fruit sampling. To clarify effect stress, we investigated changes transcription main sugar metabolism-related genes involved synthesis,...

The generalization that 'when a metabolic sequence involves consecutive nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide-dependent reactions, the dehydrogenases have the same stereospecificity' was tested and confirmed for three metabolic sequences. (1) NAD+-xylitol (D-xylulose) dehydrogenase and NADP+-xylitol (L-xylulose) dehydrogenase are both B-specific. (2) D-Mannitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase and D-sorbi...