Abstract
Arabis serrata is a perennial plant that grows on Mt. Fuji. Although most of Arabis abscise leaves before winter, this plant winters with green leaves. It has been observed that the winter leaves accumulate high level of sugars, and the accumulated sugars are thought to enhance cold tolerance and supply energy for growth in early spring.
To investigate the mechanism of accumulation of sugars in leaves in detail, we did quantitative analysis of sugar components in leaves sampled at Mt. Fuji at May, September and November. The results showed that sucrose accumulated in leaves from May through November, while significant accumulation of fructose and glucose wasn't observed. Analysis of gene expression of sucrose-phosphate synthase(SPS), which is a key enzyme of sucrose synthesis, revealed that expression of SPS gene also increased from May through November. These results suggested that sucrose synthesis was promoted by an increase of expression of SPS gene.
