Latent and active polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in red clover (Trifolium pratense) and use of a low PPO mutant to study the role of PPO in proteolysis reduction.
Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in leaf extracts of wild type (WT) red clover and a mutant line expressing greatly reduced levels of PPO (LP red clover) has been characterized. Both latent and active forms of PPO were present, with the latent being the predominant form. PPO enzyme and substrate (phaselic acid) levels fluctuated over a growing season and were not correlated. Protease activation of latent PPO was demonstrated; however, the rate was too low to have an immediate effect following extraction. A novel, more rapid PPO activation mechanism by the enzyme's own substrate was identified. Rates of protein breakdown and amino acid release were significantly higher in LP red clover extracts compared with WT extracts, with 20 versus 6% breakdown of total protein and 1.9 versus 0.4 mg/g FW of free amino acids released over 24 h, respectively. Inclusion of ascorbic acid increased the extent of protein breakdown. Free phenol content decreased during a 24 h incubation of WT red clover extracts, whereas protein-bound phenol increased and high molecular weight protein species were formed. Inhibition of proteolysis occurred during wilting and ensilage of WT compared with LP forage (1.9 vs 5 and 17 vs 21 g/kg of DM free amino acids for 24 h wilted forage and 90 day silage, respectively). This study shows that whereas constitutive red clover PPO occurs predominantly in the latent form, this fraction can contribute to reducing protein breakdown in crude extracts and during ensilage.
Winters
Ana L
AL
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, United Kingdom. ana.winters@bbsrc.ac.uk
Minchin
Frank R
FR
Michaelson-Yeates
Terry P T
TP
Lee
Michael R F
MR
Morris
Phillip
P
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004156:Catechol Oxidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D008293:Malates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000201:enzymology*; D012621:Seasons; D012820:Silage; D029921:Trifolium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development
D000596:Amino Acids; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D008293:Malates; D010636:Phenols; C521943:phaselic acid; D004156:Catechol Oxidase; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D001205:Ascorbic Acid