Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1987

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

The terpenoid component of the osmophore fragrance in Stanhopea species is composed of isoprene units synthesized via the mevalonic acid pathway. Localization of hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA synthase in the pathway was achieved using a technique which elicits the formation of an electron- dense precipitate of uranyl ferrocyanide at the point where an acetyl group from acetyl CoA is transferred to acetoacetyl CoA, releasing free CoA-SH. Applying this technique to cells of the osmophore of S. anfracta resulted in a precipitate between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and, to a lesser extent, on the outer surface of the tonoplast membranes and between the inner and outer membranes and granal membranes of amyloplasts. These findings indicate multiple subcellular locations for at least some enzymes in the mevalonic acid pathway. Localization of carnitine acetyltransferase by a similar technique resulted in a precipitate between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, indicating multiple localization for this enzyme.

Comments

Originally published in: PNAS September 17, 2002 vol. 99 no. 19 12197-12202

http://www.pnas.org/content/99/19/12197.abstract

For more information, visit Dr. Curry's SelectedWorks page.

Publication Title

American Journal of Botany

Volume

74

Issue

9

First Page

1332

Last Page

1338

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