Induction of delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Formation in Etiolated Maize Leaves Controlled by Two Light Systems.
A short illumination of etiolated maize (Zea mays) leaves with red light causes a protochlorophyll(ide)-chlorophyll(ide) conversion and induces the synthesis of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) during a subsequent dark period. In leaves treated with levulinic acid, more ALA is formed in the dark than in control leaves. Far red light does not cause a conversion of protochlorophyll(ide) into chlorophyll(ide) and does not induce accumulation of ALA in the dark. Both red and far red preilluminations cause a significant potentiation of ALA synthesis during a period of white light subsequent to the dark period. The results indicate a dual light control of ALA formation. The possible role of phytochrome and protochlorophyllide as photoreceptors in this control system is discussed.
Klein
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S
Department of Botany, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Katz
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Neeman
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