EFFECTS OF [ALPHA]-HYDROXYSULFONATE ON RESPIRATION OF MUNG-BEANS ROOT TIPS

Abstract

It was found that [ALPHA]-hydroxysulfonate had an inhibitory effect on dark respiration of Mung-beans root tips. The extent of inhibition was dependent upon the concentration of the inhibitor. The higher the concentration, the stronger was the effect. At 10-3M, [ALPHA]-hydroxysulfonate inhibited respiration to a greater extent in young root tips than in mature root tips. In roots, there was no glycolic acid oxidase. Therefore, the inhibition by [ALPHA]-hydroxysulfonate on Mung-beans root tips respiration was not due to an inhibition on glycolic acid metabolism. It was suggested that inhibition of [ALPHA]-hydroxysuilifonate on root tips respiration was probably on the enzyme Acetyl CoA synthetase. The finding of high R.Q. in [ALPHA]-hydroxysulfonate-treated root tips would indicate that in the presence of [ALPHA]-hydroxysulfonate, there was a possible rediversion of substrate to anaerobic respiration. Exogenously applied sodium acetate was found to release partially the inhibition caused by [ALPHA]-hydroxysulfonate.