Phytochrome-regulated transfer of fructosidase from cytoplasm to cell wall in Raphanus sativus L. hypocotyls.

The far-red absorbing form of phytochrome, Pfr, rapidly increases the rate of transfer of β-fructosidase (E.C.3.2.1.26) from the cytoplasm to the cell wall in radish hypocotyls. Far-red light increases the level of enzyme in a particulate fraction: after two hours of light treatment, the particulate enzyme is associated almost exclusively with the endoplasmic reticulum. Transfer from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell wall involves an incorporation into Golgi bodies and the plasmalemma: these membrane fractions were separated by centrifugation on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient and their degree of purity was determined by the use of known biochemical markers. With respect to β-fructosidase, light controls, via Pfr: (1) the total amount, (2) the incorporation into the endoplasmic reticulum and (3) the transfer to the cell-wall. These three processes have different sensitivities to cycloheximide.