Relationship between calcium and pyruvate kinase

Abstract

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Sevilla) were grown under controlled conditions. The leaf content of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+, and the activity of the pyruvate kinase were analyzed. The increased application of Ca2+ diminished the content of K+ and Mg2+ in leaves, and decreased the activity of pyruvate kinase. Taking into account these results, we suggest the pyruvate kinase activity as an bioindicator of the contents of the Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+.