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Rapid One-step Enzymatic Synthesis and All-aqueous Purification of Trehalose Analogues
Published on: February 17, 2017
Trehalose Toxicity in Cuscuta reflexa: CORRELATION WITH LOW TREHALASE ACTIVITY
K Veluthambi1, S Mahadevan, R Maheshwari
1Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India.
Plant Physiology
|December 1, 1981
Summary
Alpha,alpha-trehalose is toxic to plants like Cuscuta reflexa due to low trehalase activity, causing growth inhibition. This disaccharide may be toxic to higher plants if it accumulates.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Alpha,alpha-trehalose is a disaccharide found in various organisms.
- Its role and effects in higher plants, particularly parasitic ones like Cuscuta reflexa, are not fully understood.
- Trehalase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes trehalose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of alpha,alpha-trehalose and its analogs on Cuscuta reflexa.
- To determine the role of trehalase activity in plant response to trehalose.
- To assess the potential toxicity of trehalose to higher plants in general.
Main Methods:
- In vitro growth experiments with various angiospermic plants.
- Determination of trehalase activity in plant tissues.
- Treatment with trehalose, 2-aminotrehalose, 4-aminotrehalose, and trehalosamine.
Main Results:
- Alpha,alpha-trehalose and its analogs caused blackening and inhibited growth in Cuscuta reflexa.
- Cuscuta reflexa exhibited very low trehalase activity, leading to trehalose accumulation.
- Trehalose inhibited growth in Lemna (duckweed), with irreversible loss of growth potential upon addition of trehalosamine.
Conclusions:
- The toxicity of trehalose in Cuscuta reflexa is attributed to its low trehalase activity and subsequent accumulation.
- Accumulated trehalose interferes with growth processes in plants.
- Trehalose may be generally toxic or inhibitory to higher plants, and plant trehalase activity is crucial for mitigating these effects from environmental sources.
