β-furfuryl-β-glucoside: An endogenous activator of higher plant UDP-glucose:(1-3)-β-glucan synthase Biological Activity, Distribution, and in vitro Synthesis

Patricia Ohana*, Deborah P. Delmer, Gail Volman, John C. Steffens, David E. Matthews, Moshe Benziman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a recent paper (P Ohana, DP Delmer, JC Steffens, DE Matthews, R Mayer, M Benziman [1991] J Biol Chem 266: 13472-13475), we described the purification and structural characterization of β-furfuryl-β-glucoside (FG), an endogenous activator of plant UDP-glucose:(1→3)-β-glucan (callose) synthase. In the present report, we provide evidence that FG specifically stimulates callose synthase. The effects of FG on the kinetic properties of callose synthase were studied, and we ascertained that FG, or at least a very similar compound, is present in other plant systems. Chemically synthesized α-furfuryl-β-glucoside also stimulates callose synthase, exhibiting a slightly higher Ka of 80 micromolar, compared with 50 micromolar for FG. In addition, we have identified and partially characterized an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of FG using β-furfuryl alcohol and UDP-glucose as substrates. A model for the regulation of callose synthesis in vivo, involving changes in intracellular compartmentation of FG and Ca2+, is proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)708-715
Number of pages8
JournalPlant Physiology
Volume98
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'β-furfuryl-β-glucoside: An endogenous activator of higher plant UDP-glucose:(1-3)-β-glucan synthase Biological Activity, Distribution, and in vitro Synthesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this