Glucose and disaccharide-sensing mechanisms modulate the expression of alpha-amylase in barley embryos.

The aim of this study was to investigate the sugar-sensing processes modulating the expression of alpha-amylase in barley (Hordeum vulgaris L. var Himalaya) embryos. The results highlight the existence of independent glucose (Glc) and disaccharides sensing. Glc treatment destabilizes the alpha-amylase mRNA. Non-metabolizable disaccharides repress alpha-amylase induction, but have no effects on transcript stability. Structure-function analysis indicates that a fructose (Fru) moiety is needed for disaccharide sensing. Lactulose (beta-galactose [Gal][1-->4]Fru), palatinose (Glc[1-->6]Fru), and turanose (Glc[1-->3]Fru) are not metabolized but repress alpha-amylase. Disrupting the fructosyl moiety of lactulose and palatinose, or replacing the Fru moiety of beta-Gal[1-->4]Fru with Glc or Gal results in molecules unable to repress alpha-amylase. Comparison of the molecular requirements for sucrose transport with those for disaccharide sensing suggests that these sugars are perceived possibly at the plasma membrane level independently from sucrose transport.