F. Robert et G. Petel, Seasonal changes in adenine phosphoribosyltransferase and adenosine kinaseactivities as markers of the dormancy and the growth of Fragaria x ananassa, PL PHYS BIO, 38(5), 2000, pp. 395-402
Because of the potential involvement of adenosine in the winter re-acquisit
ion of nucleotide synthesis capability of strawberry plants (Fragaria x ana
nassa Duch., Elsanta), the properties and the time-course activity of an ad
enosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20) and an adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT
ase, EC 2.4.2.7) of the adenosine recycling pathway were characterized. The
results showed an increase in APRTase activity during winter re-acquisitio
n of nucleotide synthesis capability and an increase in adenosine kinase ac
tivity during spring growth of strawberry plants. Western blot analysis, pe
rformed with polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against peach bud adenosin
e kinase, showed a concomitant rise in the strawberry enzyme. These results
suggest that APRTase activity could be a good marker of the break of straw
berry plant dormancy and adenosine kinase a marker of subsequent spring gro
wth. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.