Pathways of Pyrophosphate Utilization and Sucrose Metabolismin Higher Plants

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This research is studying the role of pyrophosphate as an alternative (to ATP) energy source and phosphate donor in higher plants. Research is concentrating on measurements of the pyrophosphate content of plant tissues and the variations that occur between tissues that serve as sources and sinks for carbohydrate metabolism. The pyrophosphate-utilizing enzyme, pyrophosphatase, will be purified and used to generate antibodies against the protein for use in cellular localization studies. The role of pyrophosphate in ethylene production is to be ascertained by correlating pyrophosphate measurements with the production of ethylene during the climacteric response in ripening banana.%%% The regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in higher plants is integral to the processes by which plants grow and develop. This research is looking at the role of a specific high energy compound, pyrophosphate, as both an energy source and regulatory molecule in higher plants. Studies will focus on attempts to purify a major enzyme associated with pyrophosphate metabolism and ultimately determine its cellular site of action. In addition work is being carried out on the contributions of pyrophosphate in the fruit ripening response in banana.***//