Role of Phenylalanine Deaminase and Tyrase in the Lignification of Bamboo

Abstract

A pronounced increase of the activity of phenylalanine deaminase and tyrase during the lignification of bamboo shoots was observed. With progressing maturation from the basal part to the upper part of immature bamboos the pattern of the activity of the enzymes moved toward the upper part of the tissues, where the most active lignification was taking place, and the amount of cinnamic acid derivatives in the tissues was found to be in good accordance with the activity of the enzymes. L-Phenylalanine-G-¹⁴C and L-tyrosine-G-¹⁴C were both well incorporated into the lignin of bamboos. These results indicate that phenylalanine deaminase and tyrase are synthesized progressively just before the lignification of the bamboos and by the enzymes L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine are deaminated to cinnamic acid derivatives and incorporated into lignin.