Metabolism of Methionine and Pectin Esterification in a Plant Tissue

A Molecular Pinball Machine of the Plasma Membrane Regulates Plant Growth-A New Paradigm

Novel molecular pinball machines of the plasma membrane control cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels that regulate plant metabolism. The essential components involve: 1. an auxin-activated proton pump; 2. arabinogalactan glycoproteins (AGPs); 3. Ca²⁺ channels; 4. auxin-efflux "PIN" proteins. Typical pinball machines release pinballs that trigger various sound and visual effects. However, in plants, "proton pinballs" eject Ca²⁺ bound by paired glucuronic acid residues of numerous glycomodules in periplasmic AGP-Ca²⁺. Freed Ca²⁺ ions flow down the electrostatic gradient through open Ca²⁺ channels into the cytosol, thus activating numerous Ca²⁺-dependent activities. Clearly, cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels depend on the activity of the proton pump, the state of Ca²⁺ channels and the size of the periplasmic AGP-Ca²⁺ capacitor; proton pump activation is a major regulatory focal point tightly controlled by the supply of auxin. Auxin efflux carriers conveniently known as "PIN" proteins (null mutants are pin-shaped) pump auxin from cell to cell. Mechanosensitive Ca²⁺ channels and their activation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) are yet another factor regulating cytosolic Ca²⁺. Cell expansion also triggers proton pump/pinball activity by the mechanotransduction of wall stress via Hechtian adhesion, thus forming a Hechtian oscillator that underlies cycles of wall plasticity and oscillatory growth. Finally, the Ca²⁺ homeostasis of plants depends on cell surface external storage as a source of dynamic Ca²⁺, unlike the internal ER storage source of animals, where the added regulatory complexities ranging from vitamin D to parathormone contrast with the elegant simplicity of plant life. This paper summarizes a sixty-year Odyssey.

S-methylmethionine reduces cell membrane damage in higher plants exposed to low-temperature stress

S-methylmethionine (SMM), an important intermediate compound in the sulphur metabolism, can be found in various quantities in majority of plants. The experiments were designed to determine the extent to which SMM is able to preserve cell membrane integrity or reduce the degree of membrane damage in the course of low-temperature stress. By measuring electrolyte leakage (EL), it was proved that SMM treatment reduced cell membrane damage, and thus EL, during low-temperature stress in both the leaves and roots of peas, maize, soy beans and eight winter wheat varieties with different levels of frost resistance. Investigations on the interaction between SMM and polyamine biosynthesis revealed that SMM increased the quantities of agmatine (Agm) and putrescine (Put) as well as that of spermidine (Spd), while it had no effect on the quantity of spermine (Spn). Using a specific inhibitor, methylglyoxal-bis-guanyl hydrazone (MGBG), it was proved that the polyamine metabolic pathway starting from methionine played no role in the synthesis of Spd or Spn, so there must be an alternative pathway for the synthesis of SMM-induced polyamines.

Role of S-methylmethionine in the plant metabolism

S-methylmethionine (SMM), a naturally occurring, biologically active compound, is a free amino acid derivative, which is increasingly recognised as playing an important part in the plant metabolism. SMM, which is synthesised from methionine, is involved in crucial processes in the S metabolism, such as the regulation of methionine and S-adenosyl methionine levels, the methylation processes taking place in cells, and the transport and storage of sulphur in certain phases of development. It is of great importance in the development of resistance to abiotic and biotic stress factors, as it is a direct precursor in the biosynthesis of the osmoprotectants and other S-containing compounds involved in defence mechanisms, while also influencing the biosynthesis of major plant hormones such as polyamines and ethylene. The present paper discusses our increasing understanding of the role played by SMM in the plant metabolism and its possible role in the improvement of traits that enable plants to overcome stress.

Analysis of S-methylmethionine and S-adenosylmethionine in plant tissue by a dansylation, dual-isotope method

A method is presented for determining the levels of S-methylmethionine (MeMet) and S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) in the same plant tissue sample, utilizing readily available equipment. The bottom limit of sensitivity, ca. 100 pmol, can be lowered if required. A trichloracetic acid homogenate of the tissue is supplemented with [carboxyl-14C]MeMet and [carboxyl-14C]AdoMet. After separation of MeMet and AdoMet from each other and from endogenous homoserine on a phosphocellulose column, the two fractions are heat treated at appropriate pH values to liberate [14C]homoserine. Quantitation is via the 3H/14C ratio of [3H]dansyl-[14C]homoserine isolated by thin-layer chromatography. The method is validated with pea cotyledon, corn root, and cauliflower leaf.