Abstract
Turions (overwintering buds) of aquatic plant pondweeds (Potamogeton distinctus A. Benn.) can elongate under anoxia, showing high tolerance for low oxygen stress. During the anaerobic growth rapid starch degradation and active sucrose metabolism occur. Among enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism sucrose synthase (SuSy) is the most significant in the increase of enzymatic activity.
SuSy is one of the anaerobic proteins. SuSy plays a role to provide sugars to glycolysis by sucrose cleavage. Moreover, SuSy associated with the plasma membrane has a possible role to supply sugars for cellulose synthesis. We isolated two distinct SuSy genes from pondweed tissues and found that only one gene enhances the expression under anoxia. These results suggest that SuSy enhanced during the anaerobic growth is involved in both energy production and cell growth.
Furthermore, isolation of genes which are specifically expressed in the anaerobic growth is now in progress by a PCR-based subtraction method.
