Oxidant-Induced Inhibition of Enzymes Involved in Cell Wall Polysaccharide Synthesis

Levels of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) or ozone which inhibit oat coleoptile section growth reversibly inhibited formation of cellulose and cell wall noncellulosic polysaccharides. After treatment of intact cells with PAN, phosphoglucomutase associated with subcellular particles was more severely inactivated than was soluble enzyme. A particulate cellulose synthetase from coleoptiles was inactivated by either ozone or PAN. It was concluded that oxidant-induced inhibition of one or more of these enzymes accounts for reduced polysaccharide synthesis. 12 references, 6 tables.