title: Iron deficiency decreases the Fe(III)-chelate reducing activity of leaf protoplasts.
abstract: The ferric-chelate reductase (FC-R) activity of mesophyll protoplasts isolated from Fe-sufficient (control) and Fe-deficient sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaves has been characterized. Measurements were made in an ionic environment similar to that in the apoplastic space of the sugar beet mesophyll cells. The FC-R activity of Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient protoplasts was dependent on light. Fe deficiency decreased markedly the FC-R activity per protoplast surface unit. The optimal pH for the activity of the FC-R in mesophyll protoplasts was in the range 5.5 to 6.0, typical of the apoplastic space. Beyond pH 6.0, the activity of the FC-R in mesophyll protoplasts decreased markedly in both Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient protoplasts. These data suggest that both the intrinsic decrease in FC-R activity per protoplast surface and a possible shift in the pH of the apoplastic space could lead to the accumulation of physiologically inactive Fe pools in chlorotic leaves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Nutrition, Aula Dei Experimental Station, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado 202, E-50080 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: González-Vallejo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cistué
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abadía
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abadía
mesh_terms: D038181:FMN Reductase; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011523:Protoplasts / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D007501:Iron; D038181:FMN Reductase; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; C023903:ferric citrate iron reductase