Tryptophan aminotransferase activity in the normal and macapuno coconut endosperm development

Date

3-1980

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Dolores A. Ramirez

Abstract

The results of the spectrophotometric assay show that in the normal (MMM), makapuno (mmm) and normal (M_, from makapuno-bearing tree) endosperms there is a L-tryptophankotoglutarato amino transferase activity at pH 8.7 and 50 0C. The presence of indolo-3-pyruvic acid as an intermodiate strongly suggests that the indolepyruvic acid pathway of IAA synthesis is being utilized in both the normal and makapuno endosperms. Ontogenetic studies with normal and 24 makapuno nuts reveal a statistically significant and striking differential activity of aminotransforase. In the development of normal endosperm, amino transforase specific activity gradually declines from an initial level of 0.26566/hr/mg protein/ml at the first stage of endosperm formation (6-7 months after blooming) to 0.04608/hr/mg protein/m at maturity (11-12 months). In contrast aminotransforase activity in the makapuno was higher than in the normal at the first stage (0.35100/hr/mg protein/ml); slightly declined at the second stage; increased at the third stage; significantly reduced to zero at the fourth stage and abruptly increased until the last stage (1.5556/hr/mg protein/ml) The lost of enzyme activity followed by the abrupt increased coincides with the behavior of endogenous IAA level in genetic tumors. Therefore, it appears that the makapuno condition is a product of an aberrant gene regulation.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Document Type

Thesis

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