Enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in maize roots.

The enzymes nitrate reductase (NR), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS) and asparagine synthetase (AS) have been assayed in various regions along the seedling root ofZea mays L. In the intact attached root and calculated on a protein basis NR, GOGAT, and GS are found to have slightly higher specific activities in the apical 5 mm than in more mature regions of the root. GDH and AS, on the other hand, are much more active in extracts prepared from mature regions of the root than in the apical region. In excised root tips incubated in the presence of NH4 (+) and NO3 (-) there was a marked increase in GDH and AS, and a slight decrease in GOGAT and GS. Additions of NO3 (-) are required for NR activity but neither NO3 (-) nor NH4 (+) additions altered the activity levels of the other four enzymes. Additions of glucose to the medium inhibited the development of AS and GDH activities and resulted in higher activity levels of NR, GS and GOGAT. Glucose additions also enhanced the incorporation of acetate-(14)C and leucine-(14)C into protein. Additions of cycloheximide inhibit the development of NR, AS and GDH activities and also the incorporation of acetate-(14)C and leucine into protein.