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Published on: December 5, 2016
Comparison of chorismate mutase isozyme patterns in selected plants
T S Woodin1, L Nishioka, A Hsu
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89507.
Plant Physiology
|June 1, 1978
Summary
Most plants, including flowering plants (anthophyta), possess three chorismate mutase isozymes. Primitive plants like conifers and ferns typically have two isozymes, indicating evolutionary patterns in plant biochemistry.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Plant Science
- Enzymology
Background:
- Chorismate mutase (EC 5.4.99.5) is a key enzyme in the shikimate pathway.
- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) exhibits three chorismate mutase isozymes, while mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) has two.
- Understanding isozyme distribution can reveal evolutionary relationships and metabolic diversity in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey a diverse range of plant species for the number of chorismate mutase isozymes.
- To compare isozyme patterns between different plant divisions (e.g., anthophyta, coniferophyta, pterophyta).
- To investigate the prevalence of chorismate mutase activity across the plant kingdom.
Main Methods:
- Disc electrophoresis was employed to separate and visualize chorismate mutase isozymes.
- A broad spectrum of plant species representing various divisions were collected and analyzed.
- Enzyme assays were performed to quantify chorismate mutase levels.
Main Results:
- The majority of anthophyta species analyzed contained three chorismate mutase isozymes.
- Exceptions were noted in some closely related Leguminosae families.
- Coniferophyta, pterophyta, and microphyllophyta species consistently showed two isozymes.
- All assayed plants demonstrated detectable chorismate mutase activity and at least two isozymes.
Conclusions:
- A conserved pattern of two chorismate mutase isozymes exists in primitive plant lineages.
- The presence of three isozymes is characteristic of most flowering plants.
- Isozyme number variation in chorismate mutase may reflect evolutionary divergence within the plant kingdom.
