Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Effects of NaCl on proline synthesis and utilization in excised barley leaves

Journal Article · · Plant Physiol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.72.3.664· OSTI ID:6721379

Proline accumulation in NaCl-treated excised barley leaves was studied. Leaves were treated by placing the cut end in NaCl solutions and allowing the salt to enter the leaf via the transpiration stream. Leaves treated this way maintained turgor while the sodium content increased and the osmotic potential decreased. Proline began accumulating after 12 hours and continued accumulating over the subsequent 12-hour period at an average rate of 0.6 micromoles per hour per gram fresh weight. During the time proline was accumulating, (/sup 14/C)glutamate was added to measure the effects of salt on proline synthesis from glutamate and (/sup 14/C)proline was added in separate experiments to determine the effect of salt on proline utilization. Salt treatment dramatically increased proline synthesis from glutamate. Proline utilization by oxidation and for protein synthesis was decreased by 50 and 60%, respectively, by the salt treatment. These effects are similar to the effects of drought and abscisic acid in barley leaves. The results indicate that common mechanisms cause proline to accumulate under these different stresses. 12 references, 5 figures. 1 table.

Research Organization:
Iowa State Univ., Ames
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-82ER12028
OSTI ID:
6721379
Journal Information:
Plant Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Plant Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 72; ISSN PLPHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English