Biochemical Specialization of Photosynthetic Cell Layers and Carbon Flow Paths in Suaeda monoica

Abstract

Suaeda monoica Frossk. ex J. F. Gmel is a C(4) plant with three different photosynthesizing cell layers. The outer chlorenchymatous layer shows a high activity of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase but none of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase. The electrophoretic protein band of RuBP carboxylase was missing in this layer. The second chlorenchymatous cells layer shows a very high activity of RuBP carboxylase and NAD malic enzyme and only traces of activity of PEP carboxylase. The third photosynthesizing cell type is comprised of the water tissue. It has moderate activities of RuBP carboxylase and PEP carboxylase. A model for carbon flow in Suaeda monoica leaves is proposed.