MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY OF GLUTAMINE AND GLUTAMATE BIOSYNTHESIS IN DEVELOPING SEEDLINGS OF CONIFERS

Nitrogen is a limiting factor in tree growth and development. The inco rporation of ammonium ions in carbon skeletons is catalyzed by the seq uential action of the enzymes glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT). Most studies on nitrogen-assimilating enzymes have b een reported for annual crop plants. Knowledge of these enzymes in woo dy plants is much more limited, particularly at the molecular level. H ere, we review current available information on glutamine/glutamate bi osynthesis and chloroplast development in conifers.