Effects of low temperature on sorbitol biosynthesis in peach leaves

Abstract

Effect of low temperature on sorbitol metabolism was investigated in peach (Prunus persica Batsch var. vulgaris Mixim.) leaves. Sorbitol content in leaf discs was increased after 16-hr incubation at 10/4°C whereas it remained constant at 18°C. The conversion of (14C) glucose to (14C) sorbitol was also hastened by the low temperature treatment. Northern blot analysis indicated that the level of mRNA encoding putative S6PDH was higher under low temperature than control. These results suggest that sorbitol accumulation is induced by low temperature and the accumulation is due to an increase in sorbitol biosynthesis from glucose that is related to the expression of the S6PDH gene.