Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in pea root plastids: Their characterization and role in modulating glycolytic carbon flow to fatty acid biosynthesis

Abstract

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC, EC 6.4.1.2) have been characterized in pea root plastids. PDC activity was optimum in the presence of 1.0 mM pyruvate, 1.5 mM NAD+, 0.1 mM CoA, 0.1 mM TPP, 5 mM MgCl2, 3.0 mM cysteine-HCl, and 0.1 M Tricine (pH 8.0) and represents approximately 47% of the total cellular activity. ACC activity was greatest in the presence of 1.0 mM acetyl-CoA, 4 mM NaHCO3, 3 mM ATP, 10 mM MgCl2, 2.5 mM dithiothreitol, and 100 mM Tricine (pH 8.0). Both enzymes were stimulated by reduced sulphydryl reagents and inhibited by sulphydryl inhibitors. ACC was also inhibited by malonyl-CoA while PDC was inhibited by both malonyl-CoA and NADH. Both enzymes were stimulated by DHAP and UDP- galactose while ACC was also stimulated by PEP and F1,6P. Palmitic acid and oleic acid both inhibited ACC, but had essentially no effect on PDC. Palmitoyl-CoA inhibited both enzymes while PA and Lyso-PA inhibited PDC, but stimulated ACC. The results presented support the hypothesis that PDC and ACC function in a co-ordinated fashion to promote glycolytic carbon flow to fatty acid biosynthesis in pea root plastids.