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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
Ascorbic Acid as a factor controlling the development of cyanide-insensitive respiration.
Lycorine blocks a respiration process in potato tubers by inhibiting ascorbic acid. Adding ascorbic acid reverses this effect, suggesting its role in protein synthesis for respiration.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lycorine inhibits ascorbic acid biosynthesis.
- KCN-insensitive respiration occurs in potato tuber slices during aerobic incubation.
- This respiration is dependent on new protein synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ascorbic acid in KCN-insensitive respiration in potato tuber slices.
- To determine if ascorbic acid is required for the protein synthesis underlying this respiration.
Main Methods:
- Aerated potato tuber slices were used.
- Lycorine was administered as an inhibitor of ascorbic acid biosynthesis.
- Ascorbic acid was administered to observe its effect on lycorine-treated slices.
Main Results:
- Lycorine prevented the elicitation of KCN-insensitive respiration.
- Ascorbic acid administration reversed the inhibitory effect of lycorine.
- This indicates a link between ascorbic acid and the protein synthesis required for respiration.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid is likely required for a synthetic process involved in KCN-insensitive respiration.
- The findings suggest a crucial role for ascorbic acid in potato tuber metabolism and protein synthesis.
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