title: Inhibition of UDP-glucose: protein transglucosylase by a maize endosperm protein factor.
abstract: UDP-glucose: protein transglucosylase (UPTG, EC 2.4.1.112) catalyzes the first step of protein-bound alpha-glucan synthesis in potato tuber and developing maize endosperm. The presence of a non-dialyzable, heat labile protein responsible for low levels of UPTG activity in developing maize endosperm was investigated. UPTG activity in 5-day old maize seedlings and potato tuber solubilized preparations was also reduced by the endosperm preparation. FPLC-Mono Q column chromatography of developing maize endosperm was effective in separating the inhibitor protein (IP) from UPTG. After gel filtration on Superose 12, IP yielded a major polypeptide of about 80 kDa on SDS-PAGE. IP was purified by gel filtration on Superose 12 and preparative SDS-PAGE, and specific antibodies were prepared. Polyclonal antibodies reacted specifically with an 80 kDa polypeptide of developing maize endosperm on Western blot. They also recognized a similar band in 5-day old maize seedlings, but not in potato tubers. The identification of a factor that regulates the level of UPTG activity in developing maize endosperm may help to elucidate the functional role of the enzyme in the initiation of starch synthesis during seed development.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas Fundación Campomar, I.I.B.B.A., CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, U.B.A., Argentina.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bocca
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tandecarz
mesh_terms: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012995:Solubility; D013213:Starch / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003313:Zea mays / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010940:Plant Proteins; D013213:Starch; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C049577:alpha-1,4-glucan-protein synthase (UDP-forming)